Accommodation: UNILAG may allow squatting, to sanction racketeers

In a significant and somewhat surprising twist regarding the perennial accommodation struggles at the University of Lagos, the school management has introduced a new "Temporary Hostel Accommodation" policy to address the critical shortage of bed spaces. Popularly known among the student populace as "squatting," this new initiative is a direct response to the overwhelming demand where over 30,000 students are vying for a mere 8,000 available spaces in halls like Moremi, Mariere, and New Hall. By opening a specific application window for this arrangement, the Student Affairs Division is pivoting from its traditionally strict "no squatting" stance to a more humanitarian approach, acknowledging that many students are stranded without affordable housing options off-campus. This move is expected to legally increase the capacity of the rooms, allowing friends to pair up without the constant fear of porters conducting midnight raids.

However, the university administration has drawn a very rigid line in the sand regarding the commercialization of this privilege. A stern warning has been issued against "racketeering"—the illicit practice where students secure bed spaces only to sell them at exorbitant prices to desperate peers. The management has deployed intelligence measures to monitor social media platforms and WhatsApp groups where these deals often take place. They have stated unequivocally that any student caught engaging in the sale of bed spaces will face severe disciplinary actions, including suspension for one or two semesters. This strict enforcement aims to ensure that the new policy serves as a relief mechanism for genuine students rather than a business opportunity for opportunists.