By: Emmanuel Udoeyo

Although halls of residence at the University of Ibadan were established to meet the accommodation needs of its students, these public hostels have become the opposite of comfort. Far from providing a conducive environment for academic growth, our hostels, including the Great Independence Hall of Residence, have become zones marked by multifaceted concerns like health risks, insecurity, and administrative neglect. In retrospect, most of the deplorable conditions affecting our hall stem from widespread institutional failure. It points fingers at the federal government, hall management, and student leadership alike.

Our Republic’s Myriad of Concerns

The Great Independence Hall of Residence is plagued by numerous long-standing issues that have been consistently neglected by the hall authorities, despite that these issues severely undermine the academic focus and well-being of student residents. Chief among these is the persistent infestation of bed bugs. Blood-sucking pests have made restful sleep a luxury, turning many rooms into war zones of relentless itching and discomfort. Yet, despite repeated complaints, the Hall’s Health Commissioner like the University administration has demonstrated little to no initiative in addressing this pressing health concern. It is not uncommon to visit blocks in the hall and find mattresses laid out under the sun, an act of desperation by residents trying to ward off bed bugs. The old excuse that the university management tries and fumigates the hostel rings hollow, as students’ experiences have seen no meaningful improvement.

The hall’s infrastructure is in an alarming state of decay. A glaring example is the open gutter behind the IndyPress Secretariat, which has been left unattended far too long. Despite the management’s awareness, no meaningful action has been taken. The waterway foul stench contaminates the air students breathe in daily. It has since served as nothing else but a pungent symbol of neglect, poor sanitation, and systemic failure in waste management. The hall management clearly have shown little genuine concern for the health of students, including the Secretary of State and reading room users, who reside near the persistent stench. In addition, the water tanks meant to supply safe and clean water are rarely cleaned or maintained, raising serious health concerns. Not all the water storage facilities are in good shape despite the unimaginable population of students in the hall. The state of the toilets is deplorable, placing students at constant risk of infection.

On many occasions, residents are forced to walk long distances just to relieve themselves due to unusable facilities. In some bathrooms, blocked drains leave stagnant, contaminated water overflowing and into the floor passages, compounding an already hazardous environment.

Equally disheartening is the state of the Junior Common Room (JCR), which, though meant to serve all residents, has become an exclusive space for a privileged few, often referred to as the ‘Elders’. For staylites, access to the JCR is determined more by connections than by common right. The hall’s football field, codenamed Maracana, is another symbol of abandonment. During the rainy season, the playing-field becomes waterlogged and hazardous, putting student players at serious risk of injury. Despite repeated campaign promises by student leaders to rehabilitate the pitch, no meaningful renovation has occurred.

The promises remain unfulfilled, and the field, like many other facilities, continues to rot. Security within the hall is another growing source of anxiety. In recent times, students have fallen victim to theft, including stolen gadgets and clothes left out to dry. Though CCTV cameras have been fashionably installed, they appear to serve no practical purpose. For many residents, security is nothing more than an illusion, an empty promise that offers no real protection.

It is deeply frustrating that both the hall management and student executives have paid only little and not the best of attention to these pressing accommodation concerns. The accommodation concerns have lingered for far too long, and yet, no concrete steps have been taken to address it. The silence of those in power is deafening. Our buildings are deteriorating. The restrooms are in appalling condition. Bed bug infestations are rampant, even in spaces meant for study, such as the reading rooms. The entire environment is more becoming hostile to the very idea of academic pursuit. If anything, the University of Ibadan management must act decisively. We must begin to fix these issues fundamentally as possible. Without exception, we must pressure the federal government for adequate funding, which remains the only viable path to resolving this crisis. But funding alone is not enough. The hall requires consistent environmental care, improved sanitation, and a comprehensive overhaul of its security apparatus. These kinds of matters are notable glossed over and under-examined by an organ like the Great Independence Hall Legislative Council or presented to be Students’ Union for actionable steps.