Potters Sell Skirts Only to Seize Them for 'Being Too Short': Student Lists 14 Reasons for Dropping Out of a Nigerian Private University
I went to a private university with high hopes and dreams of a world-class education, an environment that would foster my growth, and the freedom to explore my passions. However
I went to a private university with high hopes and dreams of a world-class education, an environment that would foster my growth, and the freedom to explore my passions. However, reality hit hard, shattering these dreams into shards of disappointment and disillusionment. Here's a glimpse into my experience:
No Phones Allowed
From the moment I stepped onto campus, I was cut off from the outside world. Phones were not allowed. It felt like being transported back in time, disconnected from the lifeline of modern communication.
The Hair Police
Girls weren’t allowed to let their hair grow below their shoulders. It was a surreal rule, as if the length of our hair had any bearing on our academic abilities or moral fiber.
Slippers Ban
Wearing slippers before 4 pm was forbidden. This absurd rule made life unnecessarily uncomfortable, especially in the sweltering heat.
No Cooking Allowed
Cooking in the hostel was prohibited, forcing us to buy three meals a day from the expensive and often uninspiring campus cafeteria. The financial burden was immense.
Mandatory Chapel Attendance
Missing chapel wasn’t an option. It could lead to suspension, adding to the stress of maintaining academic performance.
Punished for Being Victims
Disturbingly, even getting abused could result in suspension. The blame and punishment were shifted to the victims, silencing cries for help.
The Prison of Exeat
Once you entered the campus, leaving was a herculean task. An exeat, a parental confirmation, and numerous hoops to jump through made you feel more like a prisoner than a student.
Academic Roulette
Departments had the power to drop students without any prior notice. Imagine reaching your final year, only to be told your results were poor, and being forced to start afresh in another department—along with paying new school fees.
No Side Hustles Allowed
The entrepreneurial spirit was squashed. Selling anything on campus was forbidden, making it difficult to sustain oneself financially.
Curfew
Everyone had to be back in their hostels by 9 pm, turning the campus into a ghost town.
Security Exploitation
Security men exploited students, especially if they saw a boy and girl together. Threats of expulsion and demands for money were common.
Potters’ Exploitation
Potters would sell skirts only to seize them later for being “too short.” This cycle of exploitation added to our frustrations.
Accommodation Crisis
Despite paying an additional 150k for new hostel accommodation on top of the hefty 1.8 million naira school fees, many students still struggled to get a place to stay.
Endless Assignments
Lecturers believed we had all the time in the world, bombarding us with unnecessary work. The stress was overwhelming.
In the end, I made the tough decision to drop out. The restrictive environment, exploitation, and financial strain were too much to bear. Leaving was my path to reclaiming my freedom and sanity.