Awka, the capital of Anambra State was once described as a glorified village by a writer, even though he may not be said to be correct.
But the assertion may not be far from the truth against the backdrop of the level of development in Awka, the capital of Anambra State
One cannot help but wonder what the town looked like before 1991, when it became the capital of the new Anambra State.?
Nevertheless, there is population explosion in Awka, following the transformation of the state capital, into a city of learning.??
Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Paul University, Anambra State University, College of Agriculture Mgbakwu are some of the tertiary institutions in the town. The status of most of these universities as non residential have also presented a new business opportunity in Awka, by providing low cost housing for students.
Around the Nnamdi Azikiwe University temporary site in Awka, accommodation has become a big money making venture for those in the business, starting from agents, who scout for accommodation for students and other residents to the owners of the hostels who say they have recovered their capital investment after just a few years of providing accommodation.
The recent resolve of the management of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State to provide accommodation for its 33,000 students’ population has also presented a fresh opportunity for investors.
The Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof Boniface Egboka, stated in an interview with LEADERSHIP that the idea of converting the previously off campus residence institution to a residential one is to ensure that the institution passes through the students, just as they pass through it.
Egboka disclosed that hostels were springing up in everywhere in the school, while a Canadian construction company has been working tirelessly to ensure the completion of hostel blocks awarded them.
“We are calling on well to do individuals in the state and Nigeria at large to seize this opportunity to enter into agreement with the institution on the building of hostels on the basis of BOT(build operate and transfer) with 60-40 basis.
“What we mean by this is that we provide the land and other facilities, while the investor builds the hostels, name it after himself or herself, if they wish, operate it for an agreed period of time and then transfer it to the institution’s management,” Egboka explained.
Besides building in the campus, a hostel in Awka town is still very much in demand, especially with a new academic session.? Many students lucky to secure admission into the institution cannot settle down for the semester because they scamper around looking for accommodation.