Some students at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), particularly those from outside Lagos, found themselves stranded over the weekend after discovering private hostels they had paid up to N500,000 for were inaccessible. These students, including new freshmen who traveled from distant cities such as Calabar, had arrived in anticipation of the new academic session set to begin on Monday, October 28, 2024.
One affected student, a newly admitted freshman, shared his frustration, explaining that he had to make alternative arrangements upon arrival. The inaccessibility of private hostels followed recent steep hikes in on-campus accommodation fees, with main-campus rates rising from N43,000 to N80,000. Medical students at Idi Araba now face charges of N100,000 due to year-round residency requirements.
Prof. Musa Obalola, UNILAG’s Dean of Student Affairs, addressed the issue, clarifying that only private hostel facilities were affected by the delays. University-managed hostels remain under renovation and will not be allocated until they are fully ready for use. To prevent overcrowding on campus, Prof. Obalola added that classes would be held online temporarily.
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has strongly condemned the fee hikes, with NANS Senate President Akinteye Afeez Babatunde refuting claims that students agreed to the increases. He described the new fees as an unfair financial burden and announced plans for a National Congress at UNILAG to unite students in opposition. NANS warned that if university management does not address their concerns, they are prepared to shut down the university indefinitely.
NANS also criticized the suggestion from university authorities for students unsatisfied with on-campus rates to consider off-campus housing, calling it insensitive given the current financial challenges. They argued that rising educational costs threaten accessibility and that a lack of response to student concerns will lead to significant backlash.
