In a significant move to address the pressing accommodation needs of students in Nigeria's public tertiary institutions, the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has officially commissioned a state-of-the-art 244-bed female hostel at Ken Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic, Bori, in Rivers State.
A N1.39 Billion Investment in Student Welfare
The newly unveiled facility, valued at a substantial N1.39 billion, was commissioned by Aboh Uduyok, the representative of the TETFund Board of Trustees for the South-South geopolitical zone. During the ceremony held on 20 November 2025, Uduyok commended the polytechnic's management for ensuring the timely completion of the project.
He described the event as more than just a commissioning, calling it a celebration of partnership, vision, and tangible progress. Uduyok emphasized that this project is part of a broader series of interventions by TETFund across beneficiary institutions in Nigeria, reflecting the Fund's unwavering commitment to excellence and impactful development.
"What we witness here is prudent resource management and a shared commitment to transforming Nigeria’s tertiary education sector in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda," Uduyok stated. He further highlighted that the successful delivery of the hostel, despite the prevailing economic challenges, stands as a testament to resilience and integrity.
Leadership Commends Transparency and Discipline
In a goodwill message, the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Arc. Sonny Echono, who was represented by Engr. Samson Imoni from the Monitoring and Evaluation Department, praised Ken Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic for its discipline and transparency in the management of public funds.
The Rector of the institution, Dr. Ledum Gwarah, expressed profound gratitude to TETFund for its continued support. He described the new hostel as a truly transformative project for the polytechnic community.
"This project brings us immense joy because it is not merely a building; it is a facility that transforms lives," Dr. Gwarah said. "With the comfort it provides, our students will be encouraged to stay on campus, focus on their studies, and thrive in a safe and conducive environment."
N50 Million Student Grant Initiative Progresses
In a related development, the Federal Government has reaffirmed that the N50 million venture capital grant earmarked for outstanding and innovative students in Nigerian tertiary institutions is still actively on course.
TETFund's Executive Secretary, Arc. Sonny Echono, confirmed this in Abuja while hosting the Administrator of the Public Service Institute of Nigeria (PSIN), Barrister Imeh Okon. Echono clarified that the process of identifying and selecting qualified students has already commenced across various institutions.
According to the outlined procedure, each institution is tasked with shortlisting students who present the most promising and innovative ideas. A national committee comprising experts from diverse fields will then review these shortlisted candidates to make the final selection.
Echono assured that all necessary arrangements for the initiative's take-off have been finalized. This includes the provision of the seed fund and the meticulous design of the selection modalities. This grant is a key part of the government's broader strategy to promote innovation, entrepreneurship, and job creation among the youth of Nigeria.
