In effort to address the acute shortage of student accommodation, the Management of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, is to partner with Larix Company for the construction of modern hostel facilities within the University premises.
The collaboration, facilitated by the Lapai Emirate Development Foundation (LEDEF), was officially initiated during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the University.
Speaking at the meeting, the Vice Chairman of LEDEF, Hon. Aliyu E. Muhammad, emphasized the urgency of the project and reaffirmed LEDEF’s commitment to acting as a neutral facilitator in ensuring the success of the proposed Public-Private Partnership (PPP) initiative.
“Our mission today is to trigger practical action on what we’ve been discussing for some time. LEDEF is here to fulfill her promise to support this collaboration. While the University Management and Larix Company will spearhead discussions on the specifics of the hostel project, we will continue to play our role as facilitators and mediators, ensuring both sides achieve a common understanding,” he said.
He added that LEDEF has included a legal expert in its team to support the parties in navigating the legal aspects of the partnership, urging both the University and Larix to be open about their expectations and requirements to ensure the arrangement is mutually beneficial.
In his remarks, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Mohammed Hadi Sulaiman lamented the current infrastructural challenges facing the University, particularly the overwhelming gap in student accommodation.
“With over 18,000 students enrollment, the University can currently accommodate just a little over 2,000. This gap is not only worrisome but also affects student welfare and campus security. When students reside on campus, it is easier to manage and protect them from various social vices and external dangers,” the Vice Chancellor noted.
Professor Hadi explained that while government intervention and philanthropic gestures are always welcome, the University is particularly open to BOT (Build-Operate-Transfer) or PPP arrangements.
He, however, expressed a preference for the PPP model, which allows for shared ownership and investment equity, especially given the University’s capacity to provide land as part of its equity contribution.
“I recently visited Larix Company’s facility in Abuja and was impressed with their infrastructure. We are inclined to pursue a PPP arrangement, where the University provides land while Larix brings in capital and technical expertise. This way, both parties share liabilities, control, and benefits,” Professor Hadi explained.
He cautioned, however, that the investment model must be adapted to the socio-economic realities of the University’s location.
“This is not Abuja. The cost of construction and eventual rent charged to students must reflect the local economic context. Our goal is not just to build structures but to create sustainable, affordable, and student-friendly accommodation,” he stressed.
Also speaking, the Director of Physical Planning and Development Management (PPDM) of the University, Arc. Galadima Nathan pledged to provide Larix with all necessary technical specifications, including design benchmarks, material preferences, and sustainability guidelines. He added that the University is open to integrating ideas and innovations from the company to ensure quality and functionality.
Also, the Director of Planning at Larix Company, ESV. Muhammad Saidu, urged Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai to take full technical leadership in the design and planning of student hostel projects under the proposed Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
ESV. Sa’idu commended the institution’s proactive due diligence and transparency, which convinced Larix of the Institution’s readiness to engage in a robust PPP agreement.
He emphasized the importance of the University not merely offering land but actively controlling project specifications from start to finish.
According to him, allowing developers to control the designs could lead to inflated costs or substandard materials. “The University must determine the structure, layout, specifications, and bill of quantities. Developers should only be invited to vet and finance projects, not to dictate the standards,” he stressed.
ESV. Sa’idu cited examples from Larix’s projects across Nigeria and Liberia, where stakeholder engagement and institutional control led to sustainable outcomes. He urged IBBUL to draw lessons from previous PPP failures in other universities, such as a stalled ₦2 billion hostel project at Ahmadu Bello University due to disputes over design fees.
In his vote of thanks, the Registrar and Secretary to the Council of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, Alhaji Idris Saleh Kusherki, expressed deep appreciation to Larix Company for its sincerity and practical engagement with the University on the proposed Public-Private Partnership (PPP) hostel development project.
Alhaji Kusherki commended the company’s openness and for taking time to educate the University on how to effectively navigate partnerships with private investors.
“We’ve had several developers approach the university with proposals, but I must say, none have been as honest and practically insightful as Larix. They clearly understand the operational realities of the university system and the financial constraints we face,” he remarked.
He noted that while many assume the University generates substantial income due to student numbers, little attention is paid to how minimal the actual school and hostel fees are.
“If this partnership becomes a reality, it will significantly benefit both the University and Larix. I am confident our students will readily embrace campus accommodation if it is made available and affordable,” he added.
The Registrar also encouraged Larix to continue working closely with the University, particularly in determining project capacity.
He noted that while the immediate focus could begin with a manageable phase, the long-term goal should include expansion to meet broader demands, including staff housing needs.
Alhaji Kusherki extended appreciation to the leadership of the Lapai Emirate Development Foundation, (LEDEF), particularly the Vice Chairman and his team, for facilitating the engagement. He expressed optimism that the meeting would pave the way for continued dialogue and ultimately lead to the successful execution of the project.
The meeting concluded with a mutual agreement to continue technical consultations, marking the first concrete step in a promising collaboration aimed at improving student welfare and campus development at IBBUL
