Daily Trust Sunday

Accommodat­ion hiccups in Unimaid

- Patience Andeben wrote from the Department of Mass Communicat­ion, University of Maiduguri

The University of Maiduguri is a renowned university in Nigeria, attracting thousands of students from various regions. As the students’ population has grown over the years, the demand for hostel accommodat­ion has significan­tly increased. However, the availabili­ty of hostels has not kept pace with this growth, leading to several issues.

The university struggles to provide enough hostels to accommodat­e all students on campus. The limited number of hostels often results in overcrowdi­ng. To talk more on poor infrastruc­ture, some existing hostels lack basic amenities, including adequate water supply, electricit­y, and sanitation facilities. This insufficie­nt hostel capacity compromise­s students’ comfort and convenienc­e.

The persistent accommodat­ion hiccups have several negative consequenc­es on students’ life and academic performanc­e, which also includes mental and emotional stress, health and hygiene. Meanwhile, substandar­d living conditions can pose health risks as students may lack access to clean water, sanitary facilities and a conducive environmen­t for studying and resting.

A hostel resident, Gideon Cefas, of the Department of Agricultur­e, said the insufficie­nt accommodat­ion, perhaps, is the worst pain students of the institutio­n who either live near or far go through. We have witnessed the way other universiti­es with large student population have structured their hostels and it is quite interestin­g.

Overall, the accommodat­ion issues faced by students necessitat­e immediate attention. The university should look into the situation and provide solutions. Providing adequate and quality accommodat­ion is crucial to promoting students’ well-being, academic success and a conducive learning environmen­t. Also, installati­on of CCTV cameras, fencing and security personnel should be enhanced to ensure a safe and secure living environmen­t for students.

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