Broken Promises? Maintenance Residents Forced to Pay Hiked Fees Months After Students’ Union Intervention

By Omotola Lydia

Maintenance-based hostels, which house several OAU female students, have left residents in despair as management increases fees for this year. This despair arises despite a press release by the Students’ Union in December 2025, which called for a reversal of the hike at BVERS hostel until the next session. The SU further directed residents to pay only the previous amount and declared a ‘state of emergency’ across all maintenance hostels.

However, more than a month later, nothing has changed; instead, the situation has deteriorated. Residents of other maintenance hostels are now also experiencing fee increases. Despite the state of emergency and no significant improvement in living conditions, residents decry coercion by hostel management to pay increased fees to secure their accommodation.

Residents Lament Sudden Hikes and Poor Facilities

Flourish, a resident of BVERS hostel, lamented the sudden financial burden. ‘We were paying ₦170,000 per person in a three-bedroom, but now they are asking us to pay ₦270,000. The ₦100,000 increase is sudden. They did not even give us the grace of part payment,’ she said.

She added that the facilities do not justify the cost. ‘The truth is that a lot of students will move out. The Students’ Union came and said we should not pay the increased fee, but some people have paid, and there is nothing we can do.’

Pelumi, a resident of De-Gold Hostel, shared a similar experience. ‘We were paying ₦200,000 before, and it was increased to ₦250,000. This increase is without any advantage. They only offered us this wardrobe that looks like a cubicle, a student-sized bed, and a small ceiling fan. No extra facility. We are also sharing a bathroom and kitchen, which I think is not fair.’ She further noted that roommates must still pay ₦5,000 every two weeks for electricity out of their own pockets.

At Aderonke Hostel, Joy, a resident, expressed her frustration to OAUPeeps. ‘We were paying ₦180,000 before, and the rent was increased to ₦250,000. Where do they want us to see the extra ₦70,000? We are just students, and this is very unfair.’

Joy further questioned the lack of follow-up from student leaders following their earlier declaration. ‘I do not know what the Students’ Union is doing about it because some people are already paying the increased rent, and no one is saying anything. Even with the increase, the hostel has water and light issues and a lack of basic facilities.’

Allegations of Coercion and Verbal Harassment

A resident speaking under anonymity revealed that BVERS residents have continued to suffer verbal harassment and coercion to pay before 15 January 2026. Following the initial outcry reported by the ACJOAU, which prompted the student union intervention, the original deadline notices have been replaced with ‘renovation notices’; however, the manager has continued to enforce the 15 January deadline through verbal demands.

‘Now it is just mouth the manager is using to tell us to pay before the 15th,’ the resident said. ‘When we were resuming [after the yuletide break], he asked us to write our names and when we are going to pay—not later than January 15th—in one particular book. He has been using his mouth to remind us since then.’

This increment also worries prospective residents. Halimah, who planned to move to Maintenance, shared, ‘During the holiday, I already planned to rent a space. The hostel I wanted was collecting ₦215,000, but when I went back recently, the rent had been increased to ₦225,000. I was unable to pay because I hadn't budgeted for the extra money. Now I may have to start looking for cheaper hostels off-campus.’

Students’ Union Responds to the ‘State of Emergency’

Meanwhile, residents are now calling on the Students’ Union to revisit the matter. Speaking with the Welfare Officer of the SU, Shuaib-Osunleke Musab, on the progress of the state of emergency, he said, ‘After we declared a state of emergency, we addressed the issue with the school management and the owners of different hostels in Maintenance. We also went on inspection to all Maintenance hostels.’

He explained that because these hostels are privately owned, the union has no direct capacity to regulate prices. ‘Maintenance hostels are private hostels. The agreement the school signed with them cannot control the price; we can only lobby as a union to plead with them to review the price. For now, the union has decided to carry out inspections. We have appointed a representative to each hostel to collect the list of issues, and after this is completed, we will have a meeting with the school management and the owners to find a way forward and ensure everyone gets the worth of their money.’

Passion, Responsibility, and Reward: OAUPeeps Officially Welcomes New Inductees

 By Elijah Olusina

On Saturday, 20 December 2025, OAUPeeps News Agency, a leading campus media organisation, held its induction ceremony for new members at the Social Science Lecture Theatre (SSLT). The event was held under the theme ‘Carrying the Campus Voice: Passion, Responsibility, and Reward’.

The ceremony, which was organised to officially welcome the new members of the agency, brought together students, existing members, executives of the organisation, and other distinguished guests. It was moderated by Alademehin Omotola, the Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the agency.

Ceremony in Progress

The event commenced with an opening prayer led by one of the inductees, followed by a welcome address by Ogunlana Klistivivi, the Editor-in-Chief of OAUPeeps news agency. In his address, he shared his history with the organisation and his rise to the position of Editor-in-Chief, citing his passion and purpose for journalism as the primary factors behind his success.

He also expressed appreciation to David Adetula, the founder of OAUPeeps, and other former executives and Editors-in-Chief who served before him. Welcoming the new members, he urged them to make their mark on campus and work tirelessly to ensure their growth. 

‘Let it be clearly known that this moment is not the destination. It is only the starting point—one that opens you up to bigger, better opportunities in the journalism space,’ he stated.

Following the address, a brief ‘get-to-know’ session was held, during which inductees, alongside existing members and executives, introduced themselves, their positions, and their respective departments. The inductees also shared their motivations for joining the agency.

The goodwill message was delivered by Esther Olatimehin, the President of the Association of Campus Journalists, OAU (ACJOAU). She welcomed the inductees and lectured them on the realities of campus journalism, reinforcing that it is not always a ‘bed of roses’ and often comes with backlash for speaking the truth. She explained that being a campus journalist differs from being a public relations practitioner, as journalism involves conducting interviews, gathering facts, and verifying them through fact-checking.

President, ACJOAU addressing New Members

She further emphasized that journalists must be the voice of the students, addressing their issues and representing their views. When conducting interviews, she advised that journalists should ‘convince and not coerce’. 

Stressing that passion alone is insufficient, she remarked, ‘Passion without discipline is reckless.’ She also warned inductees against mixing professional work with personal relationships and urged them to uphold all journalism ethics.

Moving on, David Adetula, the founder of OAUPeeps, addressed the inductees, providing a brief history of the organisation. He emphasised that journalism is a demanding profession that requires passion, responsibility, and consistency. He urged the new members to always stand on the truth and pursue justice, as they represent the voice of the student community. 

He concluded his session with a commitment to support and reward exemplary members who demonstrate hard work and consistency through stories that make a significant impact. 

The ceremony reached its climax with the recital of the commitment pledge by the executives and new members as they were officially inducted. 

Recitation of Committment Pledge

The event concluded with the presentation of certificates to both new and old members, followed by a photo session.

₦200M Power Debt, AI Phones, and ₦1 Million for BGS: 8 Controversial Things You Missed at OAU’s 49th Convocation

By Ogunlana Klistivivi

Crowning weeks and days of anticipation and preparations, the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, officially concluded its Forty-Ninth (49th) Convocation Ceremony, graduating a total of six thousand, five hundred and sixty-two (6,562) students. The event, which took place from Thursday, 11 December, to Saturday, 13 December 2025, saw the conferment of bachelor's degrees, diplomas, and postgraduate degrees to several graduates.

The graduates include five thousand, two hundred and fifty-three (5,253) students for classified bachelor's degrees, two hundred and ninety-six (296) students for unclassified bachelor's degrees, fifty-four (54) students for Undergraduate Diplomas, nine hundred and fifty-nine (959) students for Postgraduate degrees, including one hundred and ninety-one (191) Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees.

If you were unable to follow the event, do not worry; OAUPeeps brings you eight things you might have missed from the convocation ceremony:

1. Shock or surprise? Only two hundred and eighteen (218) First Class Honours 

That is left for you to decide. Of the total of five thousand, six hundred and three (5,603) undergraduates, only two hundred and eighteen (218) made First Class. The rest of the story is that of the remaining five thousand, three hundred and eighty-five (5,385) graduands: two thousand, one hundred and thirty-two (2,132) earned Upper Second Class Honours (2.1), and two thousand, two hundred and forty-four (2,244) earned Lower Second Class Honours (2.2).

 2. OAU launches AI-Powered Smartphone

Have you heard of a Nigeria-built AI phone? Look no further. During the ceremony, the Vice-Chancellor announced that the institution had launched its own AI-powered smartphone, the Oak.io X55, along with an AI-powered smartwatch, the Fit Band X1. Both of which were officially unveiled at the university’s Symposium on AI and Robotics in Clinical Practice in September 2025.

Source: Techeconomy

 3. ₦1 Million for BGS, ₦10 Million for the Department

 In a country where academic excellence begs to be rewarded (remember UNIBEN’s BGS from Nursing, Oluwatoyin, who was awarded thirty thousand Naira (₦30,000) as cash prize), things seem to be taking a new turn here in OAU. Amuke Sunday, the overall best graduating student in the Faculty of Technology, received a personal cash prize of one million Naira (₦1,000,000) from the MCOM Cables and Wires Limited Annual Award. Even his department, Computer Science and Engineering, was not left out, as it was awarded a separate ten million Naira (₦10,000,000) annual grant.

 

BGS of Each Faculty on Campus

Note: BGS for the Faculty of Law was not explicitly named nor included in the order of proceedings made available for the ceremony; also, special mention to Adisa Aishat Olayinka for receiving the Chief (Mrs) Ajibola Adedewe Memorial Prize for the Best Final Year Graduating Female Student in the University with a CGPA of 4.87.4. 

4. Faculty of Agriculture and Big Numbers

Every election season, the Faculty of Agriculture prides itself as the ‘KKK’ of the OAU campus with the highest voting population. Yes, while the convocation ceremony was not an election, Agric did not let Tech steal the whole shine. While Tech dominated the cash prizes, Agric’s Omisakin Oyinkansola Roseline instead clinched the Alhaji Kabir Usman prize for Best Overall Graduating Student with the highest number of prizes, showing again that when it comes to this numbers thing, no be by "cho-cho-cho"

5. OAU’s Newest Degree: Get Ready to Study "Leadership"

If you have always wanted to be a leader, you may soon have the opportunity to study ‘Leadership’ on campus at OAU. At least that was the condition the Senate President, Chief Godswill Akpabio, represented by Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, gave the school management if the Senate is to build a state-of-the-art Leadership Centre in the institution. Will that happen? Only time will tell.

6. OAU Pays ₦200M/Month for Electricity, Collects Only ₦50M

If there is one thing campus is well known for, it is its constant power supply. But do you know the cost of it? The VC during the ceremony presented a shocking statistic: OAU earns only fifty million Naira (₦50,000,000) as Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) from campus electricity usage, yet it pays a whopping two hundred million Naira (₦200,000,000) as electricity bills. In response, the VC passionately called on the Federal Government to urgently complete the abandoned 8.03MW power project, which has been stalled since 2018, as well as the infamous ‘Titanic’ New Senate Building.

 7. Mr Project ‘Nyesom Wike’ and the Ekiti Governor to build New Structures on Campus

Widely applauded for his infrastructural giant strides, the Minister of the FCT has pledged a new building to the Faculty of Law, as reported by the University’s Acting Pro-Chancellor. The Pro-Chancellor also noted that the Governor of Ekiti State, Biodun Oyebanji, also pledged to build a 1,500-capacity lecture hall for the university. Who knows, in the near future, you might just be walking around the Faculty of Law to see, “This Building was Built and Commissioned by Mr Project.”

8. PhD Graduates to take Gowns Home

In one of the random moments of the ceremony, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim gifted all PhD graduates their gowns permanently, promising that the Tenth Senate would cover the cost of all of them (ordinarily, each had to pay fifty thousand Naira (₦50,000) to own the gown permanently, otherwise they would return it). Want to know why he did so, in his exact words: “It is easier to get a PhD in Cambridge than Ife, because when you enter Ife, you do not know the year you will graduate.”

Reporter’s Diary: Campus Food Vendors Decry Low Sales Amidst Convocation Rice Frenzy

By Elijah Olusina

Convocation is one of the most anticipated events on campus, as students skip classes for celebration and spend the day going from tent to tent hunting for free food, drinks, and anything else a benevolent graduate is willing to offer.

However, while the mood is high and students are celebrating the number of plates they have collected, food vendors, on the other hand, are not smiling. Their sales have drastically reduced as students boycott their shops in search of free food, leaving them with pots full and seats empty.

Photo credit: Association of Campus Journalists, OAU (ACJOAU)

Sales Plummet Across Campus

With so many students scattered around, looking for free convocation rice, this reporter from OAUPeeps decided to visit major food joints on campus to assess their levels of patronage during the convocation period, and the observations were striking.

The popular food spot located in the Faculty of Social Sciences, "De Pillars Edibles", spoke to us about the situation and current state of their business. Hers was a lamentation as she complained that sales had reduced drastically, which she said might extend until the end of the convocation ceremony.

‘Our customers have reduced ever since the start of the convocation, and this happens every year. As you can see, the shop is empty, and only a few people have come in to buy food. This is going to happen till the end of the convocation, and we have no control over it.’

De Pillars Edibles Restaurant

Major Joints Suffer Patronage Drop

Leaving that place, OAUPeeps visited Captain Cook, and while the restaurant still enjoyed considerable patronage, it was not as full as it usually was during the regular school period. OAUPeeps further spoke with one of the sales personnel, who confirmed our observation.

She explained that they recorded fewer sales during the convocation period, although the drop was not significant, as their shops were still partially filled.

Moving on, OAUPeeps went a bit adjacent to Captain Cook, along the way to Akintola Hall, to observe the Coca-Cola restaurant. While the place was open, and a few persons were seen eating here and there, one striking feature was the array of empty chairs and tables that greeted you.

Speaking to OAUPeeps, the vendor at the restaurant lamented about how business has been since the start of the convocation.

'We have less customers than before, and we even had to reduce the amount of food that we prepare daily to avoid wastage,' she said.

"The people you even see here now did not come to purchase food from us, they are our graduating customers who needed a place to share their own food for their guests, and it would not be nice if we did not allow them to stay for a bit, since before the convocation they always patronise us.'

‘Most of our customers are not around because they have been invited to go eat free food elsewhere,’ she added.

Coca-Cola restaurant close to Akintola with Scanty Patronage

Student Confirms Free Food Hunt

Meanwhile, OAUPeeps did not stop there. We moved outside to the outskirts, where tents were pitched, and witnessed a crowd of students moving up and down, carrying large bags and nylon sacks full of food.

Opposite the College of Health Sciences (COHS), where shuttles now park, OAUPeeps managed to speak to a student. Wonder, a two hundred (200)-level student, was seen carrying a big black bag and spoke with excitement. He explained that while he sometimes patronized Captain Cook, he could not have patronized them today, as he had collected a lot of food and was very satisfied.

'Today, I am here because of the event, mainly, and also, I have already collected a lot of food, and I am comfortable with the food I have, so there is no reason why I would patronise the restaurant today,' he said. 

'Normally, I do patronise the restaurant, but because I am already satisfied with what I have collected today, there is actually no reason why I should patronise them,’ he added.

Now, while the vendors will be excited for their customers who are graduating today, they will also be rueing the downturn in sales that they are experiencing. And it made me start thinking out loud, ‘or maybe the restaurants should offer free food during convocations too, as giveaways?’ Or what do you think?

You can let us know by leaving a Reply in the comments section.

Fallen Tree Branches Continue to Obstruct Health Centre–‘As E Dey Hot’ Route Weeks After Heavy Rainfall

By Omotola Lydia

Following the heavy rainfall that befell the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) campus in the early hours of Thursday, April 17th, 2025, several tree branches felled by strong winds continue to obstruct the route between the Health Centre area and the popular ‘As E Dey Hot’ location.

More than two weeks after the incident, the massive tree debris remains uncleared by school authorities, causing significant inconvenience and forcing many students to reroute or even climb over the obstructing branches to pass through the area.

Fallen Tree Between Health Centre and As E Dey Hot

The blocked path is a major short route for students from halls of residence such as Alumni, Postgraduate, Mozambique, and Angola Halls heading towards the academic area. The route, previously a convenient shortcut for many hostel residents, has now become a source of daily frustration with students expressing concern at the delayed response by the university management. 

Speaking with OAUPeeps, students shared their experiences and dissatisfaction with the delayed response."I went to the chemistry lab for a practical and had to hurry back to Mozambique Hall to get my sneakers," recounted Busayo, a Nursing student. "I had forgotten that the branch had blocked the road and mistakenly passed there. I was so pissed and angry; I had to turn around and take the longer road."

Another student, Phoebe, also from Mozambique Hall, expressed similar frustrations: "It’s not easy to pass there if I'm not wearing trousers. When I wear a tight dress, I have to raise my legs to cross the fallen branch. If you're passing there, you have to make sure you dust your legs afterwards because there are ants on the branch. Otherwise, you have to pass the long road."

An anonymous student added: "The fact that a branch has been there for weeks without action makes the environment look ugly. I have to raise my legs awkwardly when passing. I think the management should urgently do something about it."

It would be recalled that ACJOAU earlier reported how the same heavy rainfall removed roofing sheets at Alumni Hall, with renovation efforts immediately following. However, despite that quick intervention in the Hall of Residence, no visible action has been taken on the blocked pathway.

As of press time, the debris remains uncleared, leaving students to continue to call on the school management to urgently clear the obstruction and restore free movement along the route.

Students Lament Bird Poop and Dilapidation in Oduduwa Lecture Theaters

By Omotola Lydia

The current gory state of the Oduduwa Lecture Theater One and Two (ODLT 1 & 2), where students once comfortably had classes, has now become a mess. Students are forced to take classes in a dilapidated structure characterized by numerous stains of bird poop on the tables meant for seating.

Speaking with OAUPeeps, Oyindamola Adams, a student of Biology Education who had just concluded a class at the lecture theater, said, “The population of the class is more than the number of good chairs. A large number of the seats were broken and a lot of us had to sit on the floor. Most of the seats and tables that are not broken are stained with bird poop and students avoid sitting there.”

Seats at ODLT Lettered with Bird Poop

Sanyaolu Oluwatimileyin, a 200-level student of Family Nutrition and Consumer Science, expressed her displeasure, saying, “The bird poop has stained my cloth once and it makes the whole place smelly and irritating. The fans are not working too.”

This bird infestation and the resulting droppings have become a recent challenge due to the poor state of maintenance of the lecture theater. A glance across the venue reveals several broken windows with no nets, doors that do not close, and exposed nests, making the building porous for birds and contributing to its deteriorated condition.

Broken Windows at ODLT

Students are now left with no option but to take classes in a space defaced by bird droppings, which poses environmental and health hazards. ODLT serves numerous faculties including, but not limited to, the Faculty of Science, Faculty of Arts, Faculty of Technology, and Faculty of Education. This means a large student population is exposed daily to bird poop, thereby increasing the risk of contracting diseases.

According to a report by Bird Barrier, bird droppings pose several transmittable diseases including histoplasmosis, candidiasis, cryptococcosis, psittacosis, and St. Louis encephalitis. Some of these diseases, like candidiasis, have been linked to fatal outcomes in humans.

Beyond disease transmission, bird droppings also harbor ectoparasites such as bed bugs, chicken mites, mosquitoes, and yellow mealworms. This comes as a significant concern for the school community, which has been increasing fumigation efforts to combat bed bug infestations. In 2017, Channels TV reported a widespread bed bug invasion in the halls of residence at OAU—a reoccurrence that now feels possible with the current state of ODLT.

Although the university recently announced the renovation of the Oduduwa Hall and Amphitheatre, which is already underway, nothing was said about the current state of the lecture theater sitting right beneath.

Fadele Nifemi, a 200-level student of Industrial Chemistry, reacted saying, “I was surprised to see that the amphitheater is being renovated but ODLT which is directly beneath it is neglected. The school management should do better please. We do not deserve to be taking classes in such an environment.”

Amphitheatre Undergoing Renovation

However, students are urgimg the Students’ Union and the university management to listen to their complaints and take swift action to make the lecture theaters convenient for learning.

Ademola Ayomide, a student of the English Department, added, “The bats poop is dried up so scraping it off the table would be good and a bit of soap and water would help too.”

OAU AMPHITHEATRE UNDERGOES PARTIAL RENOVATIONS AHEAD OF CONVOCATION CEREMONY

By Jesuloba Akano

Renovation works have been ongoing at the Obafemi Awolowo University Amphitheatre following its closure in May. The 5,000-capacity amphitheatre, used for lectures and social events, was shut down after part of its roof partially collapsed during a torrential rainfall. The incident occurred during a SER 001 – Use of English lecture, a core special elective course for freshmen, leaving several students with minor injuries and two others with major injuries.

Since its closure last session, most lectures originally held in the amphitheatre have been rescheduled to smaller, less convenient venues. Speaking with a Course Representative for Political Science and a Part 2 student, David, he explained that the collapse significantly affected a course in his department offered across three faculties last session. According to him, lectures had to be shifted to early morning hours, causing logistical challenges in finding adequate space for the large number of students.

"Last semester, when I was still a Part 1 student, the collapsed roof meant we had to resort to 7 am–8 am classes three times a week at the 1,000-seater lecture theatre," he lamented.

OAUPeeps can confirm that most classes usually scheduled for the amphitheatre have been relocated to other venues due to the ongoing renovations. However, David noted that as a Part 2 student, his departmental courses—comprising 5 out of 7 of his current courses—now have smaller class sizes, making alternative venues sufficient.

"I'm not being affected by the renovation now because the highest number of attendees for any of my departmental courses is 250 students. We can easily use other lecture theatres like ODLT 1 & 2, FBLT, EDB 317, or ICAN LT," he added.

When contacted about the timeline for the renovations, the institution's Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olarewaju, declined to provide specific details. "All I can tell you is that you have seen it is being renovated, and you can observe how it progresses," he stated.

However, the OAUPeeps correspondent spoke with the project's engineer, who clarified that the current construction work is not a full-scale renovation. According to her, the goal is to make the amphitheatre fit for use during the upcoming convocation ceremony, with comprehensive renovations set to commence afterwards.

As per the proposed academic calendar, the convocation ceremony is scheduled to occur between December 11 and 14.

Meanwhile, OAUPeeps can confirm that one of the students injured during the roof collapse, Amubieya David, has fully resumed school. According to an anonymous source, the other injured student has also fully recovered but may not be returning to OAU, though reasons for this decision remain undisclosed at the time of this report.

‘Operation Feed OAU Students Daily’: Great Ife Students’ Union Launches Free Meal Initiative

 By Odekunle Ayomide

In a bid to alleviate hunger and ensure academic focus among students, the Great Ife Students’ Union has unveiled the Operation Feed OAU Students Daily initiative. Spearheaded by the union's Welfare Officer, the program launched on Monday, November 25, 2024, aims to provide free meals to students during these challenging times when many struggle to meet basic needs.

The initiative, which aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 2 (Zero Hunger), reflects the union’s commitment to student welfare and global standards.

In an interview with an OAUPeeps correspondent, A.Z., one of the contacts listed on the project’s flyer, explained that the initiative was born out of the current economic hardship in the country.
“Our target is Zero Hunger, SDG Goal 2. The major reason for this initiative is the economic situation of Nigeria,” he said.

To ensure the program's smooth implementation, the welfare officer and his team collaborate with campus food vendors. The vendors have agreed to participate by providing meals in exchange for increased publicity and advertising for their businesses.
“We reached out to different food vendors on campus, and most of them responded positively. Each vendor specified how many students they could feed at their convenience. It was a collaborative agreement without any compulsion,” A.Z. explained.

How the Initiative Works

Students interested in benefiting from the program have been directed to register online by providing details such as their name, department, faculty, matriculation number, phone number, and reasons for applying for the initiative.

While registration is ongoing, A.Z. revealed that there is a provisional allocation of 5,000 tickets to be distributed to registered students once registration closes.
“Each ticket is uniquely designed to prevent duplication. Every ticket has a specific number and signature. Once a ticket is signed, the corresponding name will be marked on the list, ensuring individuals cannot collect more than one ticket, even if they use multiple email addresses,” he explained.

To further enhance transparency, face recognition technology and other verification methods are being employed.
“We have a committee divided into teams for publicity, design, confirmation, verification, and slot allocation. This ensures the program is credible and benefits those who truly need it. That’s why we included a section for applicants to state their reasons for applying,” A.Z. added.

Further speaking, he explained that the union has planned a rotational schedule with vendors to avoid overburdening them. A.Z. emphasized that the initiative also benefits vendors by promoting their brands across campus.

“For instance, if a vendor offers five slots per week, we will ensure the schedule does not overwhelm them. The publicity they gain will also boost their businesses, making this a win-win arrangement,” A.Z. explained.

Student Reactions

The initiative has received widespread applause from students. Olamide, a Dramatic Arts student, described the program as “a splendid idea.” “This initiative helps us focus on our studies without worrying about feeding,” she said.

Another student, Tofunmi, highlighted its significance, stating, “Many students face food challenges. This initiative allows us to focus on our studies without worrying about what to eat. It also ensures we stay healthy and energized to carry out daily activities.”

Jesudarasimi, another student, praised the effort behind the initiative. “To a certain extent, this is a good initiative. Considering the economic situation, it will go a long way in solving problems for some individuals,” she said.

Grace, a Law student, commended the union for the thoughtful initiative. “When I saw it, I was impressed. This is great for less-privileged students who struggle to make ends meet. I have a friend whose parents can’t provide for her adequately, and this will help her a lot,” she said. However, Grace expressed scepticism about whether the initiative could cater to every less-privileged student on campus.

Despite her approval, Grace does not plan to register for the program. “I live with my parents and don’t need it because I’m feeding from home,” she explained.

OAU Hostels Exhausted, Freshers Decry Accommodation Crisis

By Heritage Ayoola

Newly admitted students at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) have raised concerns over the difficulty of securing accommodation on campus. On Monday, November 11, 2024, the university opened its online portal for students to ballot for bed spaces in the hostels. However, within minutes, all spaces were filled, leaving many freshmen without a place to stay. This incident follows a similar occurrence on Monday, November 4, when the portal was opened for balloting, yet most freshmen who tried to ballot were unable to secure accommodation.

Accommodation Crisis: A Recurring Challenge

Accommodation issues on campus are not new. For years, the university has struggled to increase its accommodation capacity. However, with the growing number of admitted students and rising housing and transportation costs in Ile-Ife, the demand for limited on-campus spaces has intensified

The Great Ife Students’ Union recently tried to ease the burden by releasing a review of transport fares within the campus. Despite this, students staying off-campus still spend a significant amount on daily transportation. For instance, those in Lagere spend ₦600 daily, while students in Mayfair spend ₦500. Over a week, transport costs can add up to ₦3,000, which is a major expense for many students.

Current Transportation Fares By Bus on OAU Campus

In August, the Association of Campus Journalists, OAU (ACJOAU), reported a hike in accommodation fees for hostels in the Maintenance area near the school. While the university has also increased on-campus accommodation fees from ₦30,000 to ₦50,000, the revised fees are still significantly lower than off-campus alternatives, with many students preferring on-campus accommodation to save on housing, transportation, and security costs.

Freshmen Share Their Ordeal

Speaking with one of the affected freshmen, Ibukunola, she lamented her unsuccessful attempts at securing accommodation despite trying twice. “I tried to ballot in the first week of November when the portal was opened, but it was displaying ‘hostel exhausted.’ The second time, I was on the portal around 9:57 a.m., but it was already showing ‘accommodation exhausted’ and logged me out a few minutes after 10:00 a.m.,” she said.

This unpleasant situation has made attending classes challenging for her. She further lamented, “Lectures have started in my department, and I am currently managing in PG Hall. An ultimatum was given that we should vacate the hostel by Friday, November 15. I am tired. They are supposed to make everything easier for freshers, but this is not good at all. Imagine someone coming from a far place and not having a place to stay.”

Jeremiah, another freshman, decried the stress of the entire balloting process. He described it as “an entire waste of time.” According to him, “I missed the first balloting, but during the second, the portal showed ‘accommodation exhausted’ by 10:01 a.m.” Unable to secure on-campus accommodation, Jeremiah now stays at Road 7, spending up to ₦900 daily on transportation. He also highlighted the unproductive hours spent in shuttle queues after lectures. “If there is no car and I have to trek, it affects my academics. The first time I had to trek the distance, I got to school very late. But when you don’t find a hostel on campus, what will you do?”

The plight of Emmanuel, another freshman, is slightly different. She was unable to pay her full school fees, which disqualified her from balloting for accommodation. “When I went to the hostel to meet the porters, they told me I cannot use half payment to ballot for a hostel,” she said. Having already resumed to school, Emmanuel is now forced to rent accommodation in town, which costs her ₦500 daily on transportation. “I will continue to manage the situation. I cannot participate in any other ballot process since I have not paid in full,” she added.

Samuel, a freshman in Surveying and Geoinformatics, described the balloting process as “tougher than he thought.” Despite paying his school fees in full and logging into the portal promptly at 10:00 a.m., he was met with the message, “male hostel exhausted.” Currently, Samuel stays in Mayfair with a friend and lamented how transportation expenses drain his finances. “Of the money they give me, transport fare takes everything away,” he said.

What Next for Freshers?

This ongoing accommodation problem is making life difficult for freshers who are trying to adjust to university life and attend classes. As the semester continues, students are hoping the school management will come up with a better solution to reduce their struggles.