ASABA/Nigeria: Delta State Government has approved the construction of male and female hostels across nine state-owned tertiary institutions as part of measures to address the growing accommodation challenges faced by students in the state.
The State Commissioner for Higher Education, Professor Nyerhovwo Tonukari, disclosed this while briefing journalists after the State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.
Tonukari described the decision as a major relief for students and their parents, explaining that the steady rise in student enrollment across tertiary institutions in the state had made hostel accommodation an urgent priority.
He revealed that statistics presented during the recent convocation ceremonies of the three newly established universities in the state indicated that the institutions alone currently have a combined student population of about 40,000.
According to him, the increasing number of students has placed significant pressure on the limited hostel facilities available within the universities.
Tonukari further disclosed that Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka, currently has over 35,000 students, while its existing hostel facilities can only accommodate about 2,000 students. He added that the newer universities have even fewer hostel spaces, capable of housing only a few hundred students.
To tackle the challenge, he said the State Executive Council approved the construction of two hostel blocks in each of the nine state-owned tertiary institutions—one for male students and the other for female students.
The commissioner noted that the initiative forms part of Governor Oborevwori’s commitment to reducing accommodation shortages and improving the overall learning environment for students across the state’s tertiary institutions.
Tonukari also disclosed that the council approved the reconstruction and completion of the abandoned Senate Building project at Delta State University, Abraka.
According to him, the Senate Building project was originally awarded in 2010 but had remained abandoned for several years until the recent intervention by the state government.
“Today, that building has been approved for reconstruction and completion, which is very good news for the university,” Tonukari said.
Also speaking, the State Commissioner for Housing, Hon. Godknows Angele, assured that the Ministry of Housing would ensure proper supervision and timely delivery of the approved projects.
He said the ministry would work diligently to guarantee efficient execution of the projects and ensure that they are delivered within schedule.
The approvals, according to government officials, form part of the Delta State Government’s broader efforts to strengthen infrastructure development across key sectors, particularly education.
