Students arriving at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), particularly those coming from outside Lagos, faced significant challenges over the weekend, finding the private hostel facilities they had paid for completely inaccessible. Many students, some traveling from as far as Calabar, were left stranded after paying up to N500,000 for a year’s accommodation.
One frustrated freshman shared his experience, noting the urgent need to find alternative lodging upon arrival due to the difficulties accessing the hostels. The crisis comes on the heels of a sharp increase in housing fees, which have jumped from N43,000 to N80,000 for main-campus accommodations. Medical students at the Idi Araba campus now face annual fees of N100,000, reflecting the year-round residency requirements.
Prof. Musa Obalola, UNILAG’s Dean of Student Affairs, confirmed the situation, explaining that only private hostels are currently affected. He noted that university-managed hostels are undergoing renovations and will not be allocated until all facilities are ready. To mitigate overcrowding, classes will temporarily be conducted online.
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has strongly opposed the recent fee hikes, with Senate President Akinteye Afeez Babatunde disputing claims that students agreed to the increased rates. He labeled the fee hikes a financial burden on students and announced plans for a National Congress on UNILAG’s campus to unite student opposition. NANS has warned that if their demands are not addressed, they are prepared to shut down the university indefinitely.
The association also criticized the university’s suggestion that dissatisfied students seek off-campus housing, describing it as insensitive to students already grappling with financial difficulties. NANS emphasized that rising education costs threaten accessibility and underscored the need for a strong, unified response if their concerns remain unaddressed.
