Kogi State University Seeks Partnerships for Construction of Student Hostels
The Vice Chancellor of Kogi State University (KSU) Kabba, Professor Kehinde Eniola, has expressed the institution’s desire to collaborate with interested investors, corporate organisations, and individuals for the construction of hostel facilities for students.
Prof. Eniola, who revealed this at the university’s second matriculation ceremony in Kabba, stated that the university is matriculating 1,060 students across all faculties for the 2024/2025 academic session.
PPP Model for Hostel Construction
Professor Eniola explained that the project, through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP), would follow a build-operate-transfer model to address the accommodation challenges in the institution, ensuring probity and accountability.
Accommodation Challenges in the University Community
He noted that the high cost of living and the rapid increase in student population have led to the soaring cost of accommodation around the university community.
Call for TETFund Support
The Vice Chancellor highlighted the need for the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) to assist the university with infrastructural projects, explaining that the existing structures were inherited from the Kogi State College of Technical Education.
According to him, the state government has made substantial investments in the institution’s infrastructure, citing several ongoing projects aimed at positioning the university for academic excellence.
Advocating for Homegrown Solutions
While advocating for homegrown solutions to national issues, the Vice Chancellor urged TETFund to allocate more funds to local training, research, and infrastructural development, which would significantly contribute to achieving the country’s set goals.
He acknowledged that while foreign training is beneficial, it often does not address local challenges, thus diminishing its impact. “Foreign training does not always meet the needs of our institutions, making the efforts ineffective,” he added.
Opposition to TETFund Scrapping
The VC also opposed the federal government’s proposed scrapping of TETFund, stating that it would be disastrous for tertiary institutions in the country. He emphasised that the impact of TETFund on various institutions of higher learning cannot be overstated.
Appreciation for Government Support
He expressed deep appreciation to Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for his genuine commitment and strong dedication to the growth and development of the university. He also acknowledged the tremendous contributions of former Governor Yahaya Bello in ensuring that the vision for the university was realised and well-established.
Call for Collaborative Efforts in Education
The Vice Chancellor made an impassioned appeal to philanthropic individuals and corporate organisations, both within and outside the state, to collaborate with the government to make education accessible to all. He emphasised that the financial burden of funding education was too significant for the government alone to bear, and collective support is crucial for the sustainability of educational initiatives.
He urged students to take advantage of the National Education Loan Fund (Nelfund) to assist with their tuition fees and ease their financial burdens.
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