The University of Nigeria Nsuka  has taken a firm stance against 50 of its students involved in a hostel racketeering scheme. The Dean of Students’ Affairs, Prof Edwin Omeje, expressed his disappointment in the actions of these students, revealing that they were engaged in selling hostel spaces at exorbitant prices, raising concerns over ethical violations within the university.

Prof Omeje stated that these students paid a mere N25,000 to acquire hostel spaces and shamelessly advertised them at over N150,000, exploiting the scarcity of accommodations on campus. This unjust behavior has raised ethical concerns among the university authorities, prompting them to identify and summon the implicated students to face the university’s disciplinary committee.

“The project is the first of its kind in the whole country. It is the same in Enugu campus where we have the presidential hostels that are almost being completed.

The university administration, acknowledging the issue of accommodation shortage, emphasized its dedication to rectifying this problem within its available resources. Understanding the financial constraints, Prof Edwin Omeje expressed how funds are scarce, but the Vice-Chancellor is devoted to providing better accommodation for students. 

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“About fifty students have been identified and will soon face the university disciplinary committee. They pay N25, 000 and advertise their rooms at over N150, 000. It is wickedness and against the university ethics.”

To address this issue, an agreement has been reached with a firm to construct approximately 13,000 standard bed spaces at the Nsukka campus, a groundbreaking project unprecedented across the country. Additionally, the Enugu campus is close to completing the construction of the presidential hostels, with ongoing work on a Tetfund hostel project.

Prof Edwin Omeje further elaborated on the challenges faced in managing and maintaining the existing hostels. The university’s internal revenue is insufficient to cover the substantial costs of upkeep, estimated at around N200,000 per student for a ten-month period. 

Notably, the university incurs a monthly electricity bill of N80 million, predominantly due to power consumption by a 1500KVA generator, which consumes one drum of diesel per hour. The search for alternative energy sources continues, although they remain costly.

“Recently the VC secured a Tetfund hostel project. It is being roofed. In a short moment, hostel accommodation scarcity at Nsukka campus would have been reduced drastically. Note also that our hostels, apart from the PG hostel which we changed from Nkruma to Odili, were built in 1960s.”

In light of these circumstances, Prof Edwin Omeje urged individuals to support the university’s efforts in providing a conducive learning environment for students instead of unjustly criticizing it. The university is determined to tackle accommodation challenges and ensure the overall well-being of its students.

“There is another one at Franco that gulps same. The alternative energy is still very expensive. Honestly, it is the uninformed that will tackle the university instead of encouraging it in its efforts to provide conducive learning environment for our students.”