By: Alade Khadijah and Olalekan Waliyyah
To some, home is where love is, a place of joy and tranquility; to others, home is a comfortable place to live; a place devoid of stress. While the list of possible ways to define a home remains endless, what is common to all the definitions is comfort, that is why housing is crucial to human dignity. However, a significant number of University of Ibadan students, do not enjoy a comfortable living experience’ while in school, thanks to an accommodation system that frustrates their longing for comfort.
Since the commencement of the new academic session two weeks ago, returning students of the institution have had to carry the burden of seeking accommodation as the school management places priority on fresh and final year students.
“After 100 level, I have always had the mind of going back to the school hostel. But then I started staying off campus because of the virtual learning coupled with the late reply of the school in allocating hostels. I have now decided to go back to the school hostel but this has become more of a nightmare than a reality,” Nafisat Kolawole*, one of the affected students, told UCJUI.
She explained that as if their current dilemma is not bad enough, indications have emerged that they might remain unsure about securing accommodation on campus until the 5th week of resumption, which is at least three weeks away. “It doesn’t make sense, we’re stressed with the school programme and accommodation will be added to the burden.”
As the session begins in earnest with a flurry of activities, coupled with incessant robbery attacks in Agbowo, living in the school hostel has become a prayer point for many.
But this desire has been met with an almost equal proportion of frustration that many have faced in their application for accommodation in any of the halls of residence on campus. Narrating her ordeal, another student, Bimbola Olawale explained that the struggle to get accommodation on campus began last year.
“It all started last year when I got an allocation form for N200 just because I’m a stallite, I got mine before the school closed for the session, hoping a miracle will happen faster in securing an allocation. But upon resumption, a PDF detailing those eligible for accommodation was released, fortunately, or not, it said we’re all eligible for accommodation. Initially, last week was meant to be for the Finalist, but nothing has been done so far, except that some finalists saw the accommodation reflected on their portal.
“I have been stressed, coupled with lectures, I have gone to the hall of residence on several occasions to ensure that I get adequate information on when the stallites will be given hostels but even the Hall portals have been pushing me back and forth saying ITEMS will forward a list which if it has my name, I would be allocated a room but if otherwise, I have to look at off campus for accomodation.
“That same day, while leaving the hall of residence, I heard a guardian of a fresher talking to the portal on accomodation for year 2 and the portal said something else, emphasizing more on balloting and knowing the best connections in getting accomodation. Ironically, the hall of residence will be the one to send names to ITEMS. He further added that getting reputable Recommendations from Professors and maybe the VC will even accelerate your chances of getting a room.
“The woman asked and he said the other option is balloting. It is actually painful even though I’m still hopeful to see my name in the list and my portal reflecting accommodation because I don’t know anyone aside from myself in the confinement of the Institution. More consideration needs to be given to stallites as well. We understand that we were once freshers, but we want to be prioritized as well.”
Another student described her ordeals in getting accomodation in the hall of residence as saddening, “Well, not getting accommodation has really been stressful for me. I stay at Oluyole which is quite far from the school. Thank God, we are having virtual classes so that I don’t have to come to school every day. But I still need to attend some physical classes. Sometimes, I have classes as early as 8am and I need to leave home around 7am. There will be traffic and all.
“Sometimes, I end up getting to the class a bit late. Also, the issue of transport fare. The least you could spend in transport fare on campus is N50 or just trek down. Staying as far as where I am on a daily basis I spend nothing less than N800 for transport fare.
“Staying on campus increases your academic spirit, as the school environment is more secured with access to the Library and other facilities that can aid an efficient student. Staying off campus is really really tough. For example, there are times when there is an impromptu physical class and you have no choice but to attend and go through the hours at the car parks before getting one going to UI. The worst part is that some classes are canceled after spending too much on transport. I know you understand how painful and stressful that is. I really really beg the school authority and hall of residence to attend to us staylites; we are suffering.”
*some names have been changed to protect identities
