Tension and dissatisfaction are rising among residents of BVER Hostel and Maintenance generally following the sudden announcement of major rent increases for the 2026 academic session. The decision at BVER was communicated through a written memo posted on the hostel notice board and later shared across students’ hostel group chats by a resident. The notice introduced an additional ₦100,000 across several room categories, leaving many students shocked and confused. In the Maintenance Hall, residents reported that the rent for a two-person room with a fridge increased from ₦230,000 to ₦330,000, also with just a month’s notice.
According to the BVER hostel management, the increase was due to rising operational and maintenance costs. The memo listed increased electricity bills, the installation of a new transformer, regular maintenance, room renovations, security services, cleaning, waste disposal, and staff welfare as reasons for the review. Management stated that these upgrades were necessary to provide a safer and more comfortable living environment. However, students claim that their living conditions do not reflect these assertions.
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One BVER student said, ‘I thought it was a joke. Honestly. Because a ₦100,000 increment makes no sense at all for this hostel, and the worst part is the short notice.’ Another student, who resides in a two-person room, explained the financial burden on her family: ‘First of all, I stay in a two-person room, and the money for the room comes from one purse. This means that our rent has increased by ₦200,000. Where are my parents expected to find that money in such a short period? That’s an unforeseen expense.’
Many students described years of neglect and poor maintenance of the facilities. One BVER resident stated, ‘My room has been in a very bad state ever since I moved here. The only ‘repairs’ they have done are painting, and that was last October. The toilet roof has been leaking since I got here three years ago. The used water from the toilet above my room pours into my own toilet.’
She added, ‘The wardrobe has ruined our clothes. The kitchen cabinet is in poor condition. The lamp holders are faulty, and I keep replacing my bulbs. The tiles are so bad that I have had to cover them with a carpet. The sockets are defective. How am I meant to be the one to pay for the transformer?’ Another student questioned the justification for the increase: ‘I genuinely think there was no appropriate reason given, and hence, no reason at all. They changed sockets and light bulbs and painted railings. Now tell me, does that warrant a ₦100,000 increase?’
In Maintenance, residents also expressed dissatisfaction, claiming the increase was unjustified. Occupants reported no maintenance, changes, or renovations to warrant the spike in rent. A resident testified that she was shocked and annoyed upon seeing the news, explaining that the new rent would adversely affect her finances.
Residents pleaded with management to either avoid the increase entirely or limit it to ₦20,000. They also urged the Students’ Union to intervene and negotiate a fair resolution, emphasising that the current situation was unfair and inconvenient. A resident sent pictures of the hostel facilities requiring maintenance to support her claims and requested urgent action.
Breakdown of the New Hostel Fees at BVER:
- 1-Man Room: ₦500,000 (this category was recently introduced)
- 2-Man Room: Increased from approximately ₦210,000 to ₦310,000
- 3-Man Room: Increased from approximately ₦170,000 to ₦270,000
- 4-Man Room: Increased from approximately ₦140,000 to ₦230,000
In several room categories at BVER, a flat ₦100,000 was added to the previous rent, representing a sharp and uniform increase across the board. Students described the increments as ‘sudden,’ ‘excessive,’ and ‘financially overwhelming,’ especially considering the current economic situation in the country.
Following the circulation of the notices, hostel WhatsApp groups were flooded with messages. Many students complained that they were given very short notice to adjust their financial plans. Some stated that the hostel fees now cost more than their university tuition, while others jokingly asked if their parents were ‘billionaires’ who could afford such an increase. Despite the humour, the tone of the messages reflected fear, frustration, and anxiety.
The financial pressure has pushed some students to consider moving out. One resident said plainly, “It is not creating any challenge for me. I cannot afford it. I am moving out.’ Another student remarked, ‘I was so shocked, sad, and I also have a feeling that the management is trying to provoke us.’
Students also expressed concern over the lack of communication between them and the hostel management. One resident said: ‘They cannot keep doing this and getting away with it. Something must be done.’ Calls for the Students’ Union to step in have grown louder. Students believe the union can help bring the hostel management to the table. One student stated: ‘Peaceful intervention, yes. Because if they do not, the hostel management will get away with it.’ Another added: ‘If the welfare office of the SU can come to inspect the living conditions of students in this hostel and the price they are requesting, I presume a way forward can be established.’
After certain residents visited the Welfare Officer of the Students’ Union, Shuaib-Osunleke Musab, he reached out to the hostel manager to discuss the issue. However, the manager allegedly insisted that the decision was beyond his control and that it lay in the hands of the hostel owner. As of the time of this report, the hostel management has not issued a public response addressing students’ complaints or indicating a willingness to revisit the decision.
The situation at BVER and Maintenance Hall remains tense. While management insists the increments are necessary to sustain operations, many students believe they are being asked to pay more without seeing real improvements in their living conditions. For now, residents can only hope that dialogue, inspections, and peaceful intervention will lead to a fair and balanced resolution.
Students’ Union Demands Total Reversal
According to a press release from the Great Ife Students’ Union on Thursday, 27 November, the Union has demanded the immediate reversal of the recently announced hostel fee hikes within 48 hours. The Union described the increases as ‘exorbitant, exploitative, and unjustifiable,’ criticising the management for failing to implement corresponding improvements. Students have been instructed not to make any payments until the issue is resolved. The Union warned that failure to comply would result in a total shutdown of the hostels.
In the release, the Students Union stated: ‘If the hostel management fails, refuses, or neglects to meet these demands within the stipulated 48 hours, the Students’ Union shall have no option but to mobilise for a total shutdown of BVER Hostel until justice is served. We shall not fold our arms while our members are priced out of accommodation.’