Sokoto University Students Express Concern Over Damaged Lecture Halls Ahead of Exams

With exams just a week away, students at Sokoto University are voicing serious concerns about the deteriorating condition of key lecture halls on campus. A major lecture hall, originally constructed by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) to accommodate 1,000 students, has been severely damaged, with the roof collapsed and ceiling panels missing, exposing students to safety hazards and extreme weather.

Images and videos reveal the facility in disarray, with debris scattered throughout, making the space unusable for academic activities. Students are now scrambling to find alternative locations for their studies.

One student, Lawal, described the situation: "Rain will fall, the sun will shine, and we will be under it learning. It's unfortunate that our exams are next week, and we don't even have suitable halls to take them without fear of rain or something falling on us."

The disrepair is not limited to the lecture halls, as other campus buildings, including the Faculty of Arts mosque, are also reported to be in poor condition.

In response, Sokoto University’s spokesperson, Mr. Zayyanu Shehu, acknowledged the damage but attributed it to a recent severe storm. He denied claims that the affected halls are currently in use and reassured students that the upcoming exams would not be impacted. Shehu stated that alternative facilities are available for the exams and that funds have been allocated by the state government and TETFUND for the repair of the damaged buildings.