Challenges Arise As 35,000 UNILAG Students Competes for Only 8,000 Hostel Beds

As students of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) commenced the process of balloting for on-campus hostel accommodations on Monday, numerous challenges have emerged, preventing many from accessing the portal to participate in the exercise.

This situation has left both students and their parents frustrated, as a failure to secure a hostel space might necessitate seeking lodging in private accommodations at exorbitant prices.

When contacted, the Dean of Students Affairs, Prof. Musa Obalola, attributed these issues to factors beyond the university’s control.

“We have done everything possible at our end and we are assuring all of a fair and transparent exercise.

“Those experiencing hitches at partaking in the exercise could be having problems if the network where they are is not strong enough. Also, one does not know the type of device they are using to log in.

“Since the exercise just got to the second day, it is expected that many students would want to log in at the same time. There could be congestion. We have about 8,000 bed spaces for over 35,000 students,” he explained.

On whether the university management is taking any step to provide more hostel accommodation for the students, Obalola said various avenues were being explored.

“You know such a step would take some time to come to fruition and a lot of factors are involved,” he added.

The Head of the Information Unit at UNILAG, Alhaja Adejoke Alaga-Ibraheem, supported Prof. Obalola’s stance, affirming that the exercise was being conducted fairly, and any hitches were not due to the university’s end.

“The exercise is being done in a very fair manner to all. If there are hitches, they are not from our end,” she said.

Recall that hostel fees were part of the mandatory fees increased some months back by the management of the institution, but were reduced after complaints by students and parents.

For undergraduate hostels on the Akoka and Yaba campuses, the fees were reduced to ₦43,000 from ₦90,000, while hostels on the Idi-Araba campus saw a reduction to ₦65,000 from ₦120,000.

KanyiDaily recalls that Media personality and crossdresser, Denrele Edun had recounted his ordeal at the University of Lagos (UNILAG).