UDUS Students Express Concerns Over Revised Academic Calendar

Students of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS), have expressed dissatisfaction with the revised academic calendar for the 2024/2025 session.

The calendar, which was released on December 12, 2024, indicates that the new academic session will commence on December 16, 2024, and conclude on October 13, 2025, spanning a total of 10 months.

Students have complained that the elongated calendar will have a ripple effect on their academic and personal lives, particularly in terms of financial sustainability. Many students have expressed concerns about their ability to afford the extended semester, citing economic hardship and poverty as major concerns.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics, Nigeria has alarming poverty rates, with over 63% of the population living in multidimensional poverty. The revised academic calendar has sparked fears among students that they will struggle to make ends meet during the extended semester.

University officials have justified the revised calendar, citing the need to accommodate new students and ensure a smooth registration process. However, students have called for a review of the calendar, arguing that it will have a negative impact on their academic performance and overall well-being.

The university's Dean of Student Affairs, Professor Umar Aliyu, has advised students to bear with the situation, stating that any changes to the calendar would need to be approved by the Senate.