TETFund's Echono Advocates PPP for Campus Housing Solutions

Arc. Sonny Echono, the Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), called on heads of tertiary institutions in Nigeria to embrace public-private partnerships (PPP) to tackle accommodation shortages on campuses. During a strategic engagement in Abuja, Echono revealed that less than 50% of students currently reside on campus, exposing them to security risks.

He proposed that institutions provide land for hostel development while TETFund would handle counterpart funding, with private partners managing construction and facilities. Echono expressed disappointment over the slow uptake of this initiative and highlighted that the PPP model could extend beyond student accommodation to include commercial facilities like shopping malls and pharmacies.

He noted that economic challenges, including inflation and rising construction costs, necessitate these partnerships. Additionally, he urged institutions to adopt digital learning and utilize technology-driven educational resources to enhance learning experiences.