Accommodation Uncertainty Persists as UNILAG Students Begin New Academic Session

As the new academic session kicks off at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), students have been grappling with the ongoing hurdles of securing hostel accommodations. Many are left in uncertainty regarding the outcomes of their recent hostel balloting efforts, even with the commencement of classes just around the corner.

The predicament has left some students, including those who are not residents of Lagos, without a clear place to rest their heads. With less than 24 hours before academic activities resume on campus, they remain in the dark about their housing arrangements.

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In response to the concerns, the Dean of Students Affairs, Prof. Musa Obalola, defended the university's accommodation allocation process. He pointed out that accommodating over 35,000 students in the available 8,000-bed spaces is an impractical task. He mentioned that the delay in receiving balloting results might be linked to issues with students' email addresses, as the process itself was executed promptly. Moreover, some students with health challenges or visual impairments were exempt from the balloting process.

Furthermore, the dean explained that the allocation process had witnessed a concentration of students vying for specific hostels, particularly among female students. They were primarily focused on securing spaces in sought-after accommodations like Moremi, potentially leaving vacant beds in other hostels.

In the meantime, the Dean of Students Affairs, in a statement released on Sunday, officially announced the commencement of academic activities on Monday.

"The University of Lagos management warmly welcomes all students for the 2023/2024 academic session and wishes every student a very successful year. In line with the approved 2023/2024 academic calendar, lectures for the first semester will commence on Monday, October 30, 2023. All students are advised to complete their course registration within the approved timeline and attend their classes as scheduled.

SEE ALSO>>>Hostel Allocation Balloting for 2023/2024 Academic Year at UNILAG Commences

"Students who were successful in their hostel allocation bids can commence hostel accommodation registration from Monday, October 30, 2023. Students who complete the hostel registration may move into the hostels from Saturday, November 3, 2023.

"While wishing you all a very fruitful year, we urge students to undertake their academic activities with diligence and keep safe throughout the year," the statement emphasized.