By Blessing Bello, Reporting
THE Federal Government has formally handed over 24 housing units constructed under the National Housing Programme (NHP) to the University of Ilesa in Osun State, as part of a broader initiative to expand access to affordable housing and bolster institutional development across the country.
The handover ceremony, held on the university campus, saw the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, represented by the Director of Public Buildings and Housing Development, QS. Pemi Samuel Temitope. In his address, the minister described the project as a strategic intervention designed to improve staff welfare and enhance productivity within key national institutions.
“The provision of decent and affordable housing remains a top priority of the Federal Government, as it is fundamental to the well-being of citizens and the overall development of the nation,” Mr Temitope stated on behalf of the minister. He noted that access to quality accommodation is critical for promoting stability and efficiency across public institutions.
The minister emphasised the central role of universities in national development, stressing that “as centres of knowledge, innovation and human capital development, universities must be supported with the necessary infrastructure, including adequate housing for their workforce.”
He added that the housing units, delivered under the NHP, were designed to provide a conducive living environment. “This intervention will not only improve staff welfare but also enhance productivity and support the university’s drive towards academic excellence,” he said.
Arc. Dangiwa commended the university’s management for its sustained collaboration with the ministry, describing it as “a clear demonstration of what can be achieved through effective synergy between government and public institutions.” He urged the institution to ensure proper maintenance and optimal use of the facilities to guarantee their long-term sustainability.
In his remarks, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilesa, Professor Taiwo Olufemi Asaolu, hailed the handover as “a major milestone in the university’s development,” particularly in advancing plans to establish a Faculty of Technology.
Professor Asaolu disclosed that the institution had been shortlisted by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) for its High Impact Intervention Projects. “With the acquisition of these housing units, we now have the critical infrastructure required to actualise our Faculty of Technology and expand our academic programmes,” he stated.
The Vice Chancellor noted the historic nature of the development, explaining that the university had operated as a College of Education for over 47 years before its transition into a conventional university. He also revealed that the institution had faced serious accommodation challenges, particularly in meeting accreditation requirements for programmes such as Law, Medicine, Nursing, and Medical Laboratory Science.
“Despite the presence of these structures within our campus, we could not access them, and we were compelled to convert classrooms into temporary hostel facilities,” he said, while expressing gratitude to the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development for facilitating the transfer.
The event underscores the Federal Government’s continued commitment to improving living standards and supporting educational institutions through targeted housing interventions.
The handover was contained in a statement signed by Gabriel Orim, ACIO, for the Director of Press and Public Relations.
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