By Shehu Uthman
Like many students at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto (UDUS), Iliyasu AbdulHamid, a 500-level law student often found himself standing under trees between lectures because there was nowhere to sit.
On some hot afternoons, when classrooms were hot while waiting for lectures to commence, many students gathered under the shade for relief from Sokoto's scorching sun. Most ended up sitting on stones or the bare ground while waiting for classes to begin.
Now, AbdulHamid told Digest Press that he now spends those waiting hours differently.
Seated on one of the newly constructed concrete chairs inside the Faculty of Law, by the Student' Union Caretaker Committee, he scrolled through his phone while waiting for his next lecture. Smiling, he said the chairs have made daily life on campus more comfortable.
"These concrete chairs are very convenient for me. We now sit there waiting for our lecturers arrival.
Across UDUS, lack of adequate seating chairs has long been a challenge for many students. Apart from lecture halls, few public spaces provide places to rest, read or hold academic discussions. During the dry season, when everywhere is hot, many students seek shade under trees but often remain standing because there are no seats
To address the problem, the Students' Union Caretaker Committee (SU-CTC) and the Sokoto State Law Students Association (SOLSA) recently constructed concrete chairs in different parts of the university.
While SOLSA focused its project within the Faculty of Law, the SU-CTC installed chairs around several hostels, including Aminu Jibril, Kwankwasiyya and DV Hostels, as well as locations in the Faculty of Law, Faculty of Agriculture, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and other strategic areas on campus.
For many students, the intervention has changed their daily routine.
AbdulHamid said the chairs have created a more conducive environment for relaxation and academic discussions. However, he believes the project can be improved.
"I have been in other universities and i noticed that student leaders are carrying out projects like this, they where similar projects include both chairs and tables, but I notice in this school, they don't do it," he recounted
"And the fact is that most students like studying at the natural sphere and they might want to place their books on the tables to feel comfortable, but honestly, both the SU CTC and the SOLSA have really tried," he added
His view was shared by 400-level law student Aminat Ishaq Hanafi.
She described the chairs as a welcome relief, especially during long waiting periods before lectures.
"Imagine if these chairs were not available, and students have to keep standing under the trees. We enjoy the fresh air, and these chairs make the environment more comfortable."
Still she noted that many students continue to balance books on their laps because no tables were provided.
"Tables would make studying and writing much easier. Also, the chairs are still not enough for the number of students we have."
Innovation Beyond Law Faculty
Abdurrahman Abdullahi, a 300-level Human Nutrition student, said the project is particularly valuable because of Sokoto's weather.
"People move from one lecture hall to another throughout the day. Having somewhere to rest under the trees is a very good idea because of the heat."
While many students praised the intervention, some believe other pressing needs deserve equal attention. Aminu Ibrahim, a 400-level Computer Science student, appreciated the project but argued that the union should also prioritise improving living conditions in male hostels.
"The chairs are important, but some bathrooms still have no doors, and water supply in the toilets remains a challenge."
He also said his department was left out of the project.
"Our department did not receive a single chair. Students still sit on motorcycles because there is nowhere else to sit."
Similarly, 400-level law student Sumayya Yusuf said although the chairs are insufficient for the population, they have reduced the discomfort students previously experienced.
"It's much better than standing all day or sitting on stones."
Speaking with Digest Press, SOLSA President Ibrahim Sidi Ahmad said the association introduced the project after observing that students lacked comfortable places to wait for lectures or discuss academic work.
"We wanted a project that would have a lasting impact rather than something temporary. These chairs are durable and will benefit students for many years."
Urging students to protect the facilities, he added that it belongs to every students, and should be maintained, so the future students can benefit.
In an exclusive interview with Digest Press, Tasiu Aminu, a 500-level student of the Faculty of Agriculture and Chairman of the SU-CTC, explained that the newly installed chairs were built out of a pressing need to improve student comfort on campus.
"We realized that students often struggle to find comfortable seating in strategic locations where they have business to attend to," Aminu said. "That challenge motivated us to construct these chairs, so students can now sit comfortably while going about their activities in those areas."
He added that the project has been met with widespread appreciation from the student body. "We received many votes of thanks after the construction. Students are truly happy, and we are equally glad that our administration was able to deliver a project that brings such joy."
Aminu reassured students of the union’s continued dedication to their welfare. "The Students' Union remains steadfast in its commitment to serving the students. We urge everyone to make good use of the chairs and help maintain them."