In the early 1970s, the University of Jos, Nigeria, was experiencing rapid growth and expansion. As the student population increased, the need for more accommodation became pressing. In response, the university administration decided to build a new hostel, which would later become known as Village Hostel.
Village Hostel was designed to accommodate students from rural areas, who made up a significant proportion of the university’s student population. The hostel’s name was chosen to reflect its purpose: to provide a home away from home for students from rural villages.
When Village Hostel first opened its doors, it was a beacon of hope for many rural students who had previously struggled to find accommodation in Jos. However, the hostel’s early years were not without challenges. Facilities were basic, and maintenance was often a problem. Despite these challenges, Village Hostel quickly became a vibrant community, with students from all over Nigeria living and learning together.
Village Hostel, one of the oldest and most neglected student residences on campus, is in dire need of renovation and rehabilitation to restore its dignity and provide a safe and healthy living environment for its occupants.
The students’ hostels are plagued by broken windows with no covers, leaving rooms vulnerable to mosquito infestations and putting students at a high risk of contracting malaria.
The deplorable state of Village Hostel is evident in its leaking roofs, which force students to resort to using buckets to collect rainwater during the rainy season. Furthermore, the toilets are in a state of disrepair, plagued by poor maintenance, inadequate drainage, and a consistent shortage of electricity, making living conditions unbearable for the students.
In an exclusive interview, Uche Victor, the Governor of Village Hostel and a 400-level student of criminology department, highlighted his administration’s efforts to improve the living conditions in the hostel, particularly with regards to water availability.
Uche proudly pointed to the construction of a reservoir in the hostel, which has enabled the board to supply water to the residents. He noted that while there is currently a steady supply of water in the hostel, his administration is working on distributing the water to various compounds, making it more accessible to students.
Uche also touched on the issue of security, acknowledging that it remains a pressing concern. He appealed to the university administration to employ more security personnel to help tackle the security challenges facing the hostel.
Benjamin George, a 400-level student of the Physics Department and former Hostel Secretary, painted a disturbing picture of the deplorable conditions at Village Hostel. He recalled a chilling incident where a cholera outbreak occurred due to the hostel’s poorly maintained toilets and soakaway system.
Benjamin emphasized the urgent need for renovations, citing the hazardous electrical wiring as a major concern. Despite his efforts, along with other hostel executives, to bring these issues to the attention of the school management over the past two years, no tangible actions have been taken.
To add insult to injury, Benjamin noted that the hostel fees were increased from N15,000 to N25,000, with the Vice Chancellor promising to use the funds for repairs. However, these promises remain unfulfilled, leaving students to suffer in silence. Benjamin’s plea to the management is simple: take immediate action to address the hostel’s dire needs.
Deborah John, a 300-level student of the Insurance Department, expressed her deep frustration with the deplorable state of Village Hostel. She lamented the poor maintenance of the toilets by students, but also pointed out that the school’s failure to provide adequate facilities and infrastructure has contributed to the problem.
Specifically, Deborah recalled how the school had dug holes and laid pipes with the promise of installing taps in every compound, but the project was abandoned, leaving students without access to clean water.
She appealed to the school management to intervene and address the pressing issues in Village Hostel, including repairing damaged rooms, toilets, and windows, installing functional taps, and providing a reliable electricity supply. Deborah’s plea echoes the sentiments of many students who call Village Hostel home.
Rejoice Nathaniel, a 300-level student of the Banking and Finance Department, voiced her deep concern about the alarming state of insecurity in Village Hostel. She lamented the lack of adequate security measures, which has left students feeling vulnerable and exposed.
Rejoice passionately appealed to the school management to take immediate action to address the security concerns in the hostel. She emphasized the need for a safe and secure living environment, which is essential for students to focus on their academic pursuits.
Behold Danjuma, a 300-level student of the History and International Studies Department, shared his candid thoughts about Village Hostel. While he acknowledged the hostel’s poor maintenance and deplorable conditions, he surprisingly viewed these challenges as valuable life lessons.
For Danjuma, the struggles of living in Village Hostel have been a crash course in survival skills, teaching him to be resilient and adaptable. However, he also revealed a more positive side to hostel life, noting that the shared experiences and challenges have fostered a strong sense of community among students, leading to lasting friendships and connections.
As the voices of Village Hostel’s residents echo through the halls, it is clear that the hostel’s deplorable state is not just a physical issue, but also a reflection of the university’s commitment to its students’ well-being. The students’ pleas for help, their resilience in the face of adversity, and their determination to thrive despite the challenges they face, all underscore the urgent need for the school management to take decisive action.
We implore the university administration to heed the cries of Village Hostel’s residents and take immediate action to address the hostel’s dire needs. The students deserve a safe, healthy, and conducive living environment that supports their academic pursuits and fosters their overall well-being. It is time for the university to prioritize its students’ needs and restore Village Hostel to its former glory.
Reports and Photos by Usaini Chat Joy (Village Hostel Correspondent)
Edited by Israel Fakwagh Ciboh
The V C increased hostels accomodation for 2 years now and claimed he will renovate village hostel, Abuja hostel and naraguta hotel. But till know nothing has been done.
Where are our rich citizens especially those who stole government, this is a payback period. Instead of floating lavish birth day parties and other not necessary activities, please direct the ill gotten money to helping thinners students who are mostly from poor family. While yours are all abroad oblivious of the condition in Jos university hostel.
A sad plight written so beautifully. As a former resident, I can appreciate the gravity of the situation and hope that management, concerned alumni and wellmeaning individuals/organizations respond appropriately, not only for the hostel but for other similar entities within the university.
Very inaccurate historical content. “Cry for help” in order though.
May God help the almighty UJ. The management’s needs to wake up to there responsibility to Huck up to authorities concerned.
Sabastine Tsenhor is an MSC student of Environmental and Resource Planning, the Department of Geography and Planning. I suggest that the internal fund from the school, Federal government , alumni association, and other donor’s funds should be used mainly for the maintenance of the hostels so that no student will stay off campus. Cheers 🥂. Thanks
It’s very good, that this was posted and not just discussed in secret. If the VC can’t or chooses not to fix the hostels, especially the village hostel, since his children aren’t staying there, then he should at least leave it at the original fee. Kudos, #don’t stay silent, keep trying till you are heard.
It’s sad and sickening that after years of series of administrations, this “crumb” is the realities left of a students’ hostel; quite disproportionate to the “shortage of funds” usually taunt in frantic efforts to justify premeditatedly ignoble administrative failures and negligence. I, as an alumnus, am not impressed….this is not a record to reckon with
During our days, student village is for serious students who don’t like unnecessary noise and distractions. While naraguta hostel is for big boys and big girls wile Abuja hostel is for happening and socialize people
The VC has done a lot. His three years has been above par. Remember the current challenges of N80 million for electricity bill with only 11-15 million as monthly subvention. The current Village hostel situation has been an infrastructural decay roll over from previous administrations. There is need for Alumni to step in to help and more infrastructural funding from the FG. The FG owns UniJos and the Governing Council should see that all hostels are fit for occupation so that students can achieve academic success.