Residents of Fajuyi and Awolowo halls are lamenting the insufficient bunk spaces available in their hostels. This issue appears to be a prevalent one, as quite a number of residents of these halls are affected and are continually expressing their dissatisfaction.
It should be noted that accommodation fees were increased from ₦3090 to ₦30,000 during the 2022/2023 academic session, and escalated to ₦50,000 in the 2023/2024 academic session. Despite this increment, students still get to experience issues regarding the standard they get for the payments made.
Olabanji Emmanuel, a resident of Fajuyi Hall of Residence, Annex G102, and a student of Management and Accounting, stated, ‘I have paid for my bed space and cleared my hostel dues, portal clearance, and other related fees. On the day I completed my clearance, the portal removed my bunk and assigned it to another student. Is that fair? They expect me to find my own money, even though I know someone who got a bunk for ₦7,000, which I cannot afford. If nothing is done about this, it could seriously affect someone’s academic progress.’ Additionally, he remarked that the accommodation cannot even be referred to as a home, despite having paid the accommodation fees and completed the necessary clearances.
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Paul, a resident of Awolowo Hall, Self Help 102, stated, ‘I am always putting my bed on the floor, which makes it look dirty and exposes me to intense cold at night. I am already starting to feel unwell.’
Oyedele Saheed Opeyemi from Self Help Room 104 also mentioned that it is not convenient for him to place his bed on the floor, but he has heard that the portal is aware of the issue and will take action.
Taiwo, another occupant of Awo Self Help, said, ‘I have been trying to secure a bunk from the portal’s lodge since the second week of this semester, but they keep telling me that there are no available bunks. I didn’t find any bunk in the room I am staying in.’ He added that he encountered someone carrying a bunk and, when he inquired how they had obtained it, they said they paid for it.
Another resident of Awo Hall, who wishes to remain anonymous, from Annex B106, reported, ‘I have submitted complaints through the portal’s lodge twice, but I received no response. It has been about two weeks now. When I met the warden on Saturday, he told me to search for scraps of metal, like broken bunks, to bring so they can join them together for me.’ He continued, ‘I am not the only one; there is another person in my room who also needs a bunk, but he has one that he is managing for now.’
Akinbode Taiwo from Awo Annex also confirmed that they have reported the issue to the portal, but no action has been taken.
A resident of Fajuyi Hall, Block 1, Room 108, who wishes to remain anonymous, said, ‘There are no bunks available. We have tried to get one from someone; a man was selling bunks for us for ₦5,000, but we have had difficulties acquiring them as we cannot find a welder to fix them.’
We are working tirelessly to resolve it – Awo Hall Warden.
Speaking with Mr Falope, the hall warden of Awolowo Hall of Residence, he disclosed that students have reported the issue of bunk scarcity to him. Some students have approached me, and we are working tirelessly to resolve it. We have employed the services of a welder who regularly works with us here, especially in the Annex area around Annex B. They usually work on it every day. As of last Saturday, we had already made some progress, according to what the portal informed me.’
The hall warden further stated that they have repaired all available and damaged bunks for the students. ‘After searching for the ones that were abandoned outside, we have addressed those issues. I used to tell them that whenever they see any, they should bring it to us, and we will take care of it,’ he added.
Addressing concerns regarding payment for bunks, he said, ‘It is not done here. Students typically pay ₦2,000 for accommodation clearance. According to the university’s directive, repairs for bunks should be funded from that money.’
He concluded by mentioning that the issues surrounding bunks fall into two categories. ‘Anything that relates to Blocks 3, 4, and 5—the newly renovated blocks—receives some funding from the fees that students pay every year, as these buildings have recently been renovated, although some bunks remain broken. However, for the annex blocks, Blocks 1, 2, 6, 7, and 8, we utilise the funds paid during accommodation clearance. Those complaining about unavailable bunks are the ones I have already worked on, and once it is approved, it will be addressed,’ he explained.