By: Adelowo Oladipo, Minna
The newly appointed Board of Trustees (BOT) member of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), North-Central Zone, Dr. Hassan Abdulrahaman Ocholi has visited Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University Lapai in Niger State to familiarize self and assess the University’s infrastructure needs.
Receiving the delegation, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Mohammed Hadi Sulaiman, noted that the University had recorded significant progress in the execution of TETFund interventions since his assumption of office in February 2025.
He said that several high-impact projects inherited by his administration had been completed and commissioned, while the construction of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, which was previously classified as distressed, had received fresh attention with the contractor returning to site.
The Vice-Chancellor disclosed that the University was expecting the Pharmaceutical Sciences project to be completed by the first week of September, alongside a completed laboratory and classroom project.
He said that a ₦750 million TETFund intervention for a students hostel had also been completed and was awaiting commissioning, with furniture and other facilities already provided.
Professor Sulaiman, however, stressed that the completed hostel represents only a fraction of the University’s accommodation needs, given its students population of about 21,000 and existing hostel capacity of fewer than 2,000 students.
He appealed to TETFund to consider additional hostel interventions, particularly as the National Universities Commission (NUC) has approved several new programmes for the Institution, including Nursing and other highly subscribed courses, which are expected to increase students enrolment.
The Vice-Chancellor further revealed. that the University is currently implementing other TETFund interventions, including the maintenance of its auditorium, construction of two 500-capacity twin lecture theatres, and rehabilitation of others.
He also appealed for continued annual intervention support, arguing that IBBUL’s rapidly expanding students population and infrastructure demands require sustained funding.
He equally called for the completion of a students hostel project originally initiated through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) but subsequently transferred to the Federal Ministry of Education and TETFund.
According to him, completion of the project would significantly improve the University’s accommodation capacity and enhance security and campus life.
Professor Sulaiman however commended the TETFund leadership and the Niger State Governor, Umaru Mohammed Bago, for their support toward the development of the University.
In his remarks, the Team Lead and a newly appointed member of Board of Trustees, North-Central Zone, Dr. Hassan Abdulrahaman Ocholi, commended the University Management for the judicious utilization of TETFund interventions and the effective monitoring of projects across the Institution.
He expressed satisfaction and said that the absence of distressed and abandoned TETFund projects in the University was a clear indication of responsible leadership, attributing the achievement to the coordination and monitoring provided by the Vice-Chancellor.
Dr. Abdulrahaman Ocholi described the issue of students accommodation raised by the Vice-Chancellor as a critical concern that deserves urgent attention, observing that when students live far away from the immediate supervision of the University, they may become exposed to various social vices, and unrest can become more difficult for the Management to control.
According to him, his visit was also intended to familiarize himself with the University Management and assess the Institution’s needs following his recent appointment and assumption of responsibility.
Dr. Hussaini also acknowledged the leadership of the TETFund Board of Trustees Chairman, Rt. Hon. Aminu Masari, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, and the TETFund Executive Secretary, Dr. S.T.H. Echono, for their contributions to the effective management and allocation of education intervention funds.
He assured IBBUL of continued collaboration and support, stressing that institutions that demonstrate capacity and accountability should be encouraged with further interventions.
In a vote of thanks, the Registrar, Alhaji Idris Saleh Kusherki, expressed appreciation to the TETFund North-Central Zone Board of Trustees member, Dr. Hassan Abdulrahaman Ocholi, and members of his delegation for visiting the University.
He commended the team for taking time to assess the impact of TETFund-funded projects and for acknowledging the University Management’s commitment to the judicious utilization of intervention funds.
He assured the delegation that the University would continue to maintain the high standards of accountability, transparency and responsible utilization of TETFund interventions, while expressing optimism that the concerns raised, particularly the urgent need for additional students accommodation, would receive favourable consideration.
Alhaji Kusherki further thanked the Board for its commitment to the development of tertiary education in Nigeria and prayed for continued collaboration between TETFund and IBBUL to provide more infrastructure and facilities capable of supporting the University’s growing student population and academic programmes.
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