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Editorial: Accommodation Dilemma: Four Weeks Into Sleep-Deprived Nights

The concept of shelter being one of the three major needs of human life has been taught to students as early as the nursery levels of education. Whether big or small, luxurious or modest, modern or conservative, there is no doubt that having an assured roof over the head and a bed to lie on is essential. But in a case where one has no comfort regarding a home or shelter, many other parts of one’s functional life will become affected.

Unfortunately, this is the dilemma in which a good number of University of Ibadan students have found themselves, despite the academic session having kick-started for the past almost one month. A lot of students, especially stalites, returning but non-final year students, have been affected. It is true that the accommodation system gives priority to freshmen and finalists for understandable reasons, but it should not take so long before the rest of the students are catered for too.

Complaints from many students who fall into the “wait for your fate” category have been flying around as they express their discomfort and agony. Some of them lament how much the new routine of commuting from their parents’ or acquaintances’ homes across Ibadan city has led them into extra expenses on transportation. In some cases, students are also concerned about the burden they may be placing on their hosts, especially for those whose family homes are not in Ibadan.

“I am already fed up. I miss my bed and I just squat around on campus,” said a victim of the delayed accommodation process in one of the male halls of residence. Some quick entrepreneurs have even taken advantage of the helplessness of students in this position by advertising “temporary accommodation” for a fee of at least ₦5,000 per week. This shows how dire the situation has become and how it has exposed students to extra expenses and stress. This has already affected and will continue to affect their focus and attention to schoolwork.

Another layer to this crisis is the role of connection or influence in accessing accommodation. Some students secure spaces through insider help, bypassing due process. Displeasing is the fact that some students who did not even get accommodation booking form secured accommodation while many who got the form struggled or still struggle to get one. This not only breeds inequality but also discourages trust in the system.

It is a known fact by now that the available bed spaces and hall capacities cannot accommodate all students of the university. However, the available spaces should be allotted on time so that those who have applied get their spaces. If there is more room, others can also be accommodated before the time they were supposed to enjoy the accommodation is halfway gone.

It is also time for the university to revisit the bigger picture: the halls are no longer sufficient to serve the current population. There is a growing need for the construction of new halls of residence. Without this expansion, the annual struggle for bed space will persist and perhaps worsen.

Quick action is expected from halls management to offer students accommodation as soon as possible if they are to enjoy the comfort required for their best performance during their stay in school.