By Sulaiman Saheed
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| Broken Windows at DV Hostel |
As night falls at the female hostel at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto (UDUs), sleep does not come easily for many students like Aisha Sulaiman. Instead of resting after long hours of lectures, some spend the night battling heat from faulty fans, swatting mosquitoes entering through broken windows, and worrying about rainwater flooding their rooms.
The situation, according to skme of the residents who spoke with Digest Press, has become a recurring problem, with many saying the poor condition of facilities is affecting their comfort, health, and academic performance.
Aisha Suleiman, a 100 le Pharmacy student residing in , said the faulty electrical facilities have made studying and living in the hostel difficult.
"Our light is not working effectively, and the fans are also not working," she said.
A 300-level Public Administration student, Yunus Zarat Omolara, said broken windows expose students to mosquitoes and rain.
"The windows are broken, causing mosquitoes to enter. Whenever there is heavy rainfall, the room becomes very uncomfortable," she said.
Similarly, Ismail Mordiyah Ayomide, a 100-level Law student, said the broken glass windows pose safety risks to residents.
"Our glass windows have been broken. The glasses are completely gone, so rain enters the room, and strong winds also affect us," she said.
Mordiyah added that unstable electricity in the hostel has also disrupted students' studies.
"Sometimes the hostel light trips, and it affects our academics a lot. We urge the school management to provide a quick and effective solution," she appealed.
A 300-level Microbiology student, Abdulsalam Idihat, also lamented the condition of the hostel.
"Two glass windows in our room are broken. If there is heavy rain, the room could become flooded. The fans are not working as well," she said.
Kagode Karyma Oreoluwa, a 100-level Law student, said she and her roommates had repeatedly reported the problems to the hostel authorities without success.
"We used to complain to the hall governor, but we haven't seen any improvement," she said.
Describing the impact of the damaged windows, Oreoluwa said insects regularly invade their room.
"My roommate and I have been facing different issues because of the broken windows. Butterflies, mosquitoes, bees, and other insects disturb our peace," she said.
She added that the situation becomes worse during hot weather.
"This situation really affects us, especially during the heat. It also affects me personally because my skin reacts to mosquito bites, causing rashes that sometimes keep me awake at night," she added.
Students' Union Intervene
Responding to the complaints, the Students' Union Caretaker Committee (SU-CTC) Chairman, Tisau Aminu, said the university management is aware of the situation.
"The Dean understands some of the challenges students are facing and is doing his best to improve the condition of the hostel. The Students' Union serves as a bridge between students and the management to ensure these challenges are addressed," he said.