By Our Reporters

The Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund,TETFund, Arc. Sonny Echono, has commended the Vice Chancellor of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology, ESUT, Professor Aloysius-Michaels Okolie, on excellent service delivery in the University.

Echono said ESUT has now become first choice University in South East courtesy of ESUT Management’s enforcement of improved academic and infrastructure contents as well as prudent utilisation of resources in the University.

The Executive Secretary who was represented by the South East Zonal Director of TETFund, Dr Mrs. Catherine Onuoha, made the remarks during the ground-breaking ceremony for the construction of 1,600 capacity students hostel at the Ebe Ano City, Enugu State on Wednesday, 25th March, 2026.

“The leadership of ESUT presently is different from others, I remember in the time past, no student is proud to announce his admission into ESUT because of the level of malfeasances in the University then, but today, the story is different . I want to say kudos to the Vice Chancellor and his team of Management for excellent leadership and administration in ESUT. The works you are doing are evident in all facets of the University.

” The construction of students hostel under public-private-partnership is under the 2025 TETFund Special Intervention Project. This project reflects TETFund’s core mandate and and underscores the enabling environment fostered by His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu, for sustained and impactful interventions in our tertiary institutions.

“This project is both timely and strategic, as it would improve students accommodation and enhance the quality of teaching and learning thereby promoting better academic outcomes and institutional growth.

“We commend the Governor of Enugu State for his steadfast commitment in advancing education in Enugu State . We urge the contractors to adhere strictly to the programmes and specifications of the contract and equally to ensure timely delivery and highest standards of works.

Equally, the Commissioner for Education, Enugu State, Prof. Ndubueze Mbah, while making his remarks on the occasion, described the ESUT Vice Chancellor, Prof. Okolie, as a strategic game-changer who has resolved to align with the strategic disruptive visions of the Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah.

The Commissioner who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Enugu State, Nkechi Ewoh, appreciated TETFund and all the development partners for initiating the project in ESUT and enjoined them to ensure quality and timely delivery of the hostel facility.

Earlier in his address, the Vice Chancellor of ESUT, Professor Okolie, thanked Governor Mbah, for ensuring the commencement of the perimeter fencing of the University. He also thanked the Governor for his several interventions in the University, including the recent release of N160 million to address some critical issues at ESUT College of Medicine, and the Teaching Hospital.

He further stated that the last distress project in the University, the ESUT Press, would be completed in the next three months. “When it is completed, ESUT would probably be the only University in South East without a distress project. We have completed all the abandoned projects in the University out of trust, passion and commitment,” he said.

He also noted that the Management of the University has secured the trust of TETFund due to prudent and transparent execution of projects in the University.

Prof Okolie further stated that the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, has increased the admission quota of ESUT to over 8,700 , adding that the new 1,600 capacity hostel would help to take care of the hostel accommodation of the students.

While speaking on behalf of the students, the Secretary of the Student Union Government, Raphael Okeke, stated that the commencement of construction of yet another hostel in the University demonstrates that the Management of the University actually listens to the needs of the students.

This project which is under the Student Housing Project Scheme, would be developed by Afri Plus Nigeria Limited, and financed by Family Homes Nigeria Limited, and TETFund under partnership agreement. It has 12 months completion timeline.