Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, has said President Bola Tinubu remains committed to expanding access to higher education and strengthening educational development across Nigeria, as he commissioned a 100-bed students’ hostel at Sam Maris University, Supare-Akoko, Ondo State.
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Fagbemi spoke on Saturday at the commissioning of the Yeye Bejide Olanusi Students’ Hostel, donated to the university by former Ondo State Deputy Governor and Asiwaju of Supare-Akoko, Ali Olanusi, in memory of his late wife.
The facility was formally handed over to the university during a ceremony attended by government officials, traditional rulers and other dignitaries.
Fagbemi said the Tinubu administration had continued to introduce measures aimed at widening access to education, pointing to the Nigerian Education Loan Fund as one of the interventions designed to support students in public tertiary institutions.
According to him, the loan scheme has enabled thousands of students to receive financial assistance to pursue their education, reflecting what he described as the administration’s commitment to building human capital and creating opportunities for young Nigerians.
The minister also commended the Founder and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Sam Maris University, Sam Ologunorisa, SAN, for establishing the institution.
He described the university project as an expression of patriotism and community development rather than merely a commercial undertaking, noting that investments in education often produce long-term benefits for society.
Fagbemi equally praised Olanusi for donating the hostel and for choosing to honour the memory of his late wife through a project that would benefit students.
He said the gesture demonstrated how individuals and community leaders could complement government efforts by investing in facilities that promote learning and development.
The Attorney-General pledged to draw President Tinubu’s attention to Olanusi’s contribution to educational development and urged other well-meaning Nigerians, corporate organisations and philanthropists to support institutions such as Sam Maris University.
According to him, the task of building and sustaining quality educational institutions cannot be left to government alone.
He also commended the Ondo State Government for commencing construction of an access road to the university, saying the project would improve accessibility and support the institution’s growth.
Fagbemi praised the standard of facilities at the university but urged the management to ensure that the newly commissioned hostel was properly maintained.
He specifically warned against overcrowding, saying the facility should be preserved and used strictly for the purpose for which it was provided.
The minister expressed hope that similar interventions would result in the construction of more hostels, laboratories and other facilities required to support the institution’s academic development.
In an address delivered on his behalf by his son, Niran Olanusi, the donor said his decision to provide the hostel was inspired by his conviction that Ologunorisa’s vision and investment in establishing Sam Maris University deserved the support of well-meaning sons and daughters of Supare-Akoko.
Olanusi said the development of the university, described as the first private university in Akokoland, was closely linked to the broader development of the community.
He said the institution provided an opportunity to project Supare-Akoko onto the global stage through education, scholarship and innovation.
The former deputy governor added that contributing to educational and socio-economic development in Ondo State remained a privilege and urged the management of the university to ensure that the hostel was properly maintained for the benefit of students.
Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of Sam Maris University, Professor Francis Gbore, said the new hostel would substantially reduce the accommodation challenges confronting the institution.
Gbore disclosed that before the commissioning of the facility, fewer than 20 per cent of the university’s students were accommodated in on-campus hostels.
He expressed confidence that the new building would improve students’ welfare and provide a more conducive environment for learning.
The Vice-Chancellor also acknowledged other contributions to the university, including the donation of two tennis courts by Prince Richard Oma Ahonaruogho, SAN.
He appealed to individuals, corporate organisations and philanthropists to continue supporting the institution through infrastructure projects, scholarships, research grants and other interventions.
Gbore also thanked the Ondo State Government for embarking on the construction of the access road to the university, describing it as an important contribution to the institution’s continued development.
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