In its nascent state, the University of Ibadan, which was originally known as the University College, Ibadan, recognized the need for proximity between students and the university. To this end, through Government intervention, the University built residential homes for both students and staff. It was provided to give the university a sense of comfort, and security. The university’s first residential quarters were originally located at the Eleyele Army Barracks. The facilities accommodated the pioneer one hundred and forty students. In the following year, there were two hundred and ten students. In sync, the university management also offered free transportation to bridge the distance between the Eleyele quarters, where the University was moved from to its present site. The considerate gesture underscored the administration’s concern for students’ well-being. Hostels, on-campus residential spaces, were then more than just dorms. They were designed to liberate students from the daily grind of commuting, allowing ample time for academic pursuits, extracurricular endeavors, and personal growth.
While the original purpose of university hostels was to provide affordable and comfortable accommodation for students, overcrowding has made it lose its intended charm. Initially, three halls of residence, previously known as Hall I, II, III – Mellanby, Tedder, and Queens respectively – were designed to accommodate one student per room. But as enrollment increased, additional hostels (Zik, Indy, Idia, Bello, etc.) were built to house two students per room. Since the construction of Awo Hall in 1986, the university has not built any new public hostels, despite the steady increase of admitted students. To cope with the growing demand, the university management has adopted only a pragmatic but problematic solution. Rooms originally designed for one or two students now accommodate four or more, exceeding standard capacity.
Despite claims that some rooms are relatively spacious, it points inversely at a crisis in the UI accomodation system: at what point does overcrowding render a space uninhabitable? Does the current overcrowding system, which prioritizes quantity over quality, not undermine the fundamental purpose of hostels?
When hostels were first built, kitchenettes were available, but students relied on the university’s catering services. Free, and later, subsidized meals, were the order of the day. Each Hall of Residence had its own catering facilities. It was in 1972 that steps were taken towards providing a more centralized catering service. The Central Cafeteria, with a capacity for 1,600 students, was completed on 4 January, 1976, and catered for the majority of students. Catering services was notably continued provided by selected caterers in Independence, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Queen Elizabeth, Tafawa Balewa and Alexander Brown Halls. Official catering for students however ceased in 1984. It ended in consonance with the Federal Government directive. After these services were discontinued, kitchenettes became increasingly used. Describing what the kitchens are today, they are in inconvenient shapes: broken cupboard doors, peeling walls, and rampant rodent infestations.
Despite the adulations of hostel renovations, kitchens have remained a neglected part. This neglect has furthered the violation of the university’s policy prohibiting cooking in rooms or corridors. It is a known truth that students use unsafe spaces or risk disciplinary action in their cooking attempts. The lack of attention to kitchens poses a dual challenge: adhering to rules and accessing barely usable facilities. Compounding this issue, hostels like Great Independence Hall of Residence have repurposed kitchenettes. Kitchens are being converted to rooms. This ought-not-to-be transformation inadvertently encourages rule-breaking.
Generally, student welfare, proximity and accessibility of accommodation, which were once a hallmark, have given way to neglect. Despite the subpar condition of on-campus hostels, many students opt for them due to their affordability, proximity and the sense of security which they provide. The scarcity of these rooms forces students to seek costly off-campus alternatives, burdening them financially and compromising their safety and wellbeing. This trend is particularly concerning, given the alarming crime rates in some off-campus areas. Agbowo, a popular off-campus destination, has earned notoriety for its insecurity, with recent incidents including a fatal shooting.
In the past, the university demonstrated its dedication by retaining the Eleyele quarters and providing free hourly transportation between campus and Eleyele from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. This ensured students had convenient and affordable housing options. Today, the insufficient number of hostel rooms, coupled with their deteriorating condition, has forced many students to seek accommodation off-campus in areas like Ajibode, Agbowo, Ojo, and Sango off-Mokola road. While these locations offer some relief, they come with increased challenges, including longer commutes, higher transportation costs, and greater difficulty accessing campus facilities like the Kenneth Dike Library, sports facilities, among others.
One other critical yet often overlooked aspect is the lack of inclusivity for persons with disabilities. The university’s current hostel facilities are inadequate for students with disabilities. In the pursuit of new hostel facilities, the urgent need for modern, accessible infrastructure cannot be overemphasized. The existing hostel facilities, built decades ago, were not designed with accessibility in mind. As a result, students with physical impairments face significant challenges accessing these structures. The absence of ramps, elevators, and pathways restricts mobility and makes it difficult to dwell comfortably in these hostels. This unacceptable situation perpetuates inequality and undermines the university’s commitment to dignity and inclusivity for all students.
The consequences of inadequate hostel facilities for students with disabilities are far-reaching. Not only do they face physical barriers, but they also experience social isolation and exclusion. The lack of accessible living spaces forces them to seek alternative accommodations, often far from campus, which hampers their ability to fully participate in academic and extracurricular activities. This creates a significant gap between students with disabilities and other members of the student community, undermining the university’s mission to foster togetherness.
Financial downturn has rendered hostel construction and renovation an impossible task. Despite that, alternative funding sources, such as TETFund’s infrastructure development grants, can alleviate this issue. These grants, specifically designed to enhance facilities in public universities, can support new hostel construction. Leveraging these funds, the university can offset financial shortcomings and develop better living spaces that enhance students’ quality.
Also, a comprehensive demand for adequate funding of education is appropriate. There has hardly been sincere efforts to reposition the education sector as can be seen with the insufficient and insignificant budgetary allocation yearly earmarked for the sector. The short hand of Government’s investment in the education of its citizens cannot but cause a shortage of overall impact. Government’s readiness to fund education properly will address the need for new public hostels and the renovation of the existing but declining ones.
The current hostels, despite their declining physical condition, continue to house a significant portion of students. The existing facilities are not in the best state. Kitchens are plagued by bad cupboards, rat infestations, while bathrooms and toilets suffer from leaks and filth. Rooms are equally neglected, with faulty electrical fittings, damaged or non-existent bunk beds, and broken windows. The need to upgrade existing facilities is crucial. It is important to prevent health risks, enhance student comfort, and support academic excellence. Necessary measures of maintenance are needed across all the University of Ibadan public hostels, and the right time is now.
