UNILAG Plans 7,836 New Bed Spaces to Ease Student Accomodation Crisis
The University of Lagos has unveiled plans to significantly expand on-campus accommodation by creating 7,836 additional hostel bed spaces by 2027, as part of efforts to tackle the institution’s long-standing housing shortage.
Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, made the announcement on Wednesday during a press briefing at the Senate Building, Akoka campus, ahead of the university’s 56th convocation ceremonies.
According to her, the expansion project is being implemented through funding from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangements. She disclosed that work has already begun, with five qualified contractors currently mobilised to various project sites.
The university presently accommodates only a fraction of its student population.
With an undergraduate enrolment of about 35,000 students, UNILAG has just 10,599 available bed spaces, leaving the majority of students to seek accommodation off campus. Rising transportation costs and soaring rental prices in surrounding communities have further intensified the problem in recent months.
Addressing the situation, the Vice-Chancellor acknowledged that it would be unrealistic to house all students on campus, but expressed optimism that the planned expansion would provide major relief.
She said, “The university has been in the news recently concerning student accommodation. While it will be impossible to house all students, last year we carried out hostel rehabilitation and upgrades in seven hostels, Makama Bida, Biobaku, Eni Njoku, Jaja, Madam Tinubu, Moremi, Fagunwa, and Kofo Ademola hostels, with funding from the TETFund 2023 and 2024 Annual Interventions.
“I am proud to inform you that some of these projects have been completed, and our students have moved in. The University of Lagos currently has about 10,599 bed spaces, and we are projecting to add another 7,836 bed spaces by 2027, all things being equal. This will be achieved through both TETFund and PPP arrangements.
“The five contractors that have been qualified have moved to the site and are at different stages of commencement. Three of the PPP hostels are off campus at Iwaya, Morounfolu, and Abule Oja.”
Once completed, the university’s total bed space capacity is expected to rise to 18,435, a development Ogunsola described as a major step toward easing accommodation pressures on students.
Beyond housing matters, the Vice-Chancellor also provided details of the institution’s forthcoming convocation. She revealed that 16,506 graduands would receive degrees and certificates during the ceremonies scheduled to run from January 16 to 25 at the Akoka campus.
Of the 10,584 undergraduate students graduating this year, 617 achieved First Class honours, representing 5.8 per cent of the graduating class. A further 4,543 earned Second Class Upper Division degrees, 3,910 obtained Second Class Lower Division, 1,023 finished with Third Class, 69 with Pass degrees, while 330 were unclassified.
For postgraduate programmes, 5,782 students will be awarded higher degrees, with 502 graduating with Distinction and 5,420 with Pass.
The university named Mr. Umeozor Benedict of the Department of Business Administration as the overall best graduating student, having attained a perfect Cumulative Grade Point Average of 5.0. Deborah Oloton from the Department of Architecture was recognised as the best graduating student in the sciences with a CGPA of 4.91.
Highlighting academic excellence at doctoral level, Ogunsola announced, “The overall best PhD thesis award for this year goes to Haruna Abubakar, who obtained his PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering (Structures option), while the best PhD thesis (Humanities) is Beatrice Zuhumnen in Educational Psychology.
“The best PhD thesis (DBA) from the UNILAG Business School is Oyeyemi Adebamowo.”
She added that the convocation lecture, themed “Maximising Nigeria’s Demographic Dividend through Urgent Education Reform for Global Competitiveness in the 21st Century,” would be delivered by education advocate and founder of Slum2School Africa, Mr. Orondaam Otto. The lecture will be chaired by the university’s 11th Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Rahamon A. Bello.
As part of the ceremonies, two retired academics, Prof. James Olowokujdejo and Prof. Duro Oni, will be honoured as Emeritus Professors, while Prof. Akinsanya Osibogun will be conferred with the title of Distinguished Professor.
Gold medals will also be presented to Prof. Ayoka Olusakin and Dr. Taiwo Ipaye for outstanding service to the university and the nation.
Honorary doctorate degrees will be awarded to businessman Mr. Jubril Tinubu and former Attorney-General of the Federation, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN).
Ogunsola further acknowledged staffing challenges facing the university, citing the continued migration of academics abroad. She disclosed, however, that the Federal Government had approved the recruitment of 350 academic and non-teaching staff for both the main campus and the College of Medicine.
In addition, she noted that the institution was making progress in addressing energy constraints through alternative power solutions.
She said, “Energy continues to be challenging, and while we await the Rural Electrification Project to take off, some of our facilities now have solar energy backup systems.
“One of our World Bank centres, Sustainable Procurement, Environmental, and Social Standards, recently upgraded the power supply at the UNILAG Medical Centre with a 120KVA solar inverter.”
The Vice-Chancellor expressed confidence that these initiatives would strengthen infrastructure, improve student welfare, and enhance the overall learning environment as UNILAG continues to consolidate its position as one of Nigeria’s leading universities.
