“Mosquitoes Were Our Study Partners”: UDUS Students Recount Malaria Struggles During Exams

At Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS), exam season is supposed to be a time of quiet focus, late-night studies and revisions, and of course, mental preparations. But for many students, the true challenge is not just the exams; it is the swarms of mosquitoes that come buzzing alongside them.

For hundreds of students, sleepless nights spent revising are now punctuated by itching, discomfort, and fever caused by malaria. What should be peaceful study sessions have turned into a battle, as students like Sulaimon Habeeb, a 200-level student, fought mosquitoes while struggling with their books during exams.

One night at MH2 night class, Habeeb felt unusually weak and dizzy. A visit to the campus clinic confirmed he had malaria. “They gave me drugs and an injection, but my GST 211 exam was the next morning. I was completely drained,” he recounted bitterly. 

In a single semester alone, Habeeb felt sick twice due to the incessant mosquito bites. “The mosquitoes in UDUS seem undefeatable. They really affected my study time. The school should find a way to prevent this,” he pleaded.

Habeeb is not alone. Muhammad Hawau, another student, also battled malaria twice in a single semester. Despite her efforts to avoid mosquito bites, the university environment makes prevention difficult. “I fell ill early in the semester and again when only two exams were left. I struggled to finish my papers, but thank God it is over,” she said.

John Favor, a final-year Biochemistry student, shared a similar experience. He lamented the horrible state of the classrooms, which house mosquitoes more than students. 

Malaria does not just affect students’ health; it also drains their finances. Many are forced to spend scarce funds on treatment instead of food or study materials. Felix Comfort, a 300-level student, had budgeted money for feeding before she got malaria. “I had to use my feeding money for treatment because the school clinic could not help. Friends in my hostel assisted me,” she said.

For Sherifat, another student, she had to borrow money from a friend to take care of her health, a debt she is still repaying.

Globally, malaria remains one of the deadliest diseases, and Africa continues to bear the heaviest burden. New data from the World Health Organization (WHO) revealed that an estimated 2.2 billion malaria cases and 12.7 million deaths have been averted since 2000, yet the disease remains a serious public health threat.

According to the World 2024 Malaria Report, there were an estimated 263 million malaria cases and 597,000 deaths worldwide in 2023. This figure represents about 11 million more cases than in 2022, with 95% of the deaths occurring in the WHO African Region, where many people at risk still lack access to proper prevention and treatment.

This global picture reflects what many UDUS students are experiencing firsthand , the persistence of malaria even in educated environments where awareness is high but structural solutions are still lacking.

Dr. Bello Asesina, a resident doctor at the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH), stressed that malaria is the most common consequence of mosquito bites and, if not properly treated, can affect a student’s concentration and overall health.

He urged Students to use insecticides and mosquito nets, especially at night, as prevention remains the best solution.

The recurring malaria outbreak has led students to appeal directly to university management. Sulaimon Habeeb begged the management to provide mosquito nets for students. According to him, the school should provide free mosquito nets. “Nets are scarce, and it will help students concentrate during exams,” he stated. 

Bello Quadri, a 300-level student, urged the school to fumigate tye campus, as that is one of the surest ways to control them.

In response, the Dean of Student Affairs, Prof. Umar Aliyu, assured students that the administration is aware of the situation. “All complaints regarding mosquito bites and malaria have been noted. Steps, including fumigation, will be carried out before the next session,” he assured.