By IndyPress News Desk

The Hall Master of the Great Independence Hall of Residence, Professor R.A. Alabi, has urged residents to remain calm amid growing concerns over the commercialization of the hall’s Junior Common Room (JCR).

Professor Alabi, who visited the hall on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, around 12 noon, addressed a crowd of students gathered around the JCR.

His visit followed mounting tension among residents over the leasing of the facility.

The Hall Master assured student-residents of his immediate intervention, while disclosing plans to meet with the Hall Warden, Dr. Adejumobi, to convey students’ concerns.

“There is nothing that dialogue cannot resolve. No matter how bad it is. There is no problem without a solution. Just stay calm. I will advise you to go to your rooms, if you have class, go to your class. We will resolve it, and there won’t be any problem. Stay calm. The JCR will be for student use,” Professor Alabi said.

A student leader, who requested anonymity, revealed that the hall management had leased the JCR for ₦80,000 per annum to a merchant intending to sell shawarma, akara, and other fried snacks.

The student criticized the management’s decision, noting it lacked student consultation and described the rental fee as grossly undervalued.

“If a public hostel room in UI costs ₦240,000, why would a highly refurbished common room be leased at ₦80,000 per year?” the student told IndyPress.

As of press time, over 300 students have signed a petition demanding the reversal of the hall management’s decision and calling for the JCR to be used under terms set by students.

While both the Administrator-General and the Speaker of the Hall declined to comment, the Hall Warden is yet to respond to questions filed by IndyPress regarding the issue.

The Junior Common Room, with the support of the Great Independence Hall Alumni Association and sponsored by Mr. Victor Etuokwu, was officially commissioned on 8th February, 2024.

Ever since its commissioing, the terms and conditions for the regular usage of the facility has not been well-defined, particularly through an official correspondence by any established authority within the Great Independence Hall of Residence.