The
university have declared the semester open, but for many students, it hasn't
truly begun. For a renowned university like UI, one would least expect that student’s
accommodation is an affair taken care by the management and stakeholders
involved before lectures resume. It is however, disheartening that countless
student still don’t have a place to lay their heads.
The effects of this delay stretch far beyond mere
inconvenience. With no rooms to stay in, many students now commute from long
distances. The result is a strain on finances which have been unnecessary
stretched by inflation. Money meant for food, and other basic amenities is now
redirected toward transportation
For Vivian, a 200-level student whose hall of
residence is Queen Elizabeth Hall, "Currently, they're still working on
the freshers and finalists. We haven't heard anything for staylites yet. I'm
still awaiting the staylite list, but if my name doesn't come out, I'll have to look at another option."
Another student stated, "Seeing as my place
is very far from school, I'd have to wake up very early just to meet classes
coupled with the burden of expensive transportation fee. I went through it last
session and it was tough but this is the norm in the school. A norm that should
change of course, but we have no choice than to find a way around it for
now."
But the toll isn't just financial, it's academic
too. Some students, overwhelmed by the stress or cost of commuting, have
resorted to resuming only after securing accommodation or attending classes
selectively. This is the story of Mogaji, a 500level student and Awo girls who
has resolved to intermittent classes so as to afford time to attend to their accommodation.
Others skip entirely, hoping to catch up later. And for those who do show up to
class, exhaustion kicks in and concentration in class is depleted.
Mentally, the ordeal has its toll on students. The
uncertainty, the daily scramble, and the limitations of options has left many
stranded and unfocused. With accommodation still hanging in the balance, it
becomes difficult to settle into an academic rhythm or feel truly part of the
semester's activities.
While the university maintains that hostel
allocations are ongoing, time isn't waiting. The semester has begun on paper,
and in a few days, tests will follow soon after. Worthy of note is the fact
that 75% attendance is non-negotiable to proceed to examinations.
The University of Ibadan administration must
acknowledge these limitations and implement both immediate solutions for
current students and long-term planning reforms to prevent this recurring
crisis. Expanded housing capacity, transparent allocation processes, and
earlier timelines would demonstrate the university's commitment to student
welfare as a prerequisite for academic success.
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