VOX POP: UDUS students rate their school hostel using a scale of 10

By Shuaibu Sharifat

Living in Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS) hostel is a daily adventure. For many students, it’s a home away from home, more than just four walls and a roof. It’s a place where friendships are formed, late-night fun happens, and dreams are nurtured. It’s where young people learn to live independently, share stories, and support each other.

But life in the hostel isn’t always easy. Challenges affect comfort, study focus, and safety. 

Four students speak to Campus Reporter about their biggest concerns. They also rate the university’s halls of residence using a scale of 10.

Amina, a 300-level student, 6/10

Amina said her major concern with the hostels is the poor sanitation, which she said exposes students to infections. She also complained about inadequate electricity and faulty sockets and fans that make living in the hostel uncomfortable, especially during hot weather. 

“My suggestion for improving the hostels is to renovate the toilets, add more taps for water, and stable light, and (repair) the leaky roofs,” she said.

Aishat, 200 level, 4/10

“If I am to rate the hostel maintenance, it will be 4/10, because the first thing is the hygiene of the toilet,” Aishat said.

While she acknowledged that the university has maintenance responsibilities, she argued that many of the sanitation problems are caused by students who leave toilets unflushed or dispose of sanitary pads improperly.

“I don’t know how some students will use the toilet and won’t flush it or use a pad and leave it in the toilet for everyone to see. Are they not ashamed of themselves, and there they are all dressing neat and putting on makeup outside and forming big girls, but they don’t know how to manage their surroundings and belongings,” she said.

She said the water supply is ‘average’, but electricity is poor, especially during exam and fasting periods.

Khadija, a 100-level student, 5/10

Khadija said water is not always adequate and is always dirty.

She recalled having to attend an early morning lecture without bathing because the available water was too dirty for use. 

Although she acknowledged that maintenance efforts are being made, she said unstable electricity and students’ misuse of facilities continue to worsen conditions.

“My suggestion for improving the hostel is that students should change their attitude,” she said.

“Though I agree some buildings are old, students should use the toilet, socket, and tap as if it’s their own.”

Zainab, 500-level, 6/10 

Zainab described the water supply as manageable but expressed dissatisfaction with the state of the toilets and general maintenance.

She also noted that most of these problems are caused by students, but the school also needs to step up.

Dean speaks

The Deputy Dean of Students Affairs at the university, Tukur Mukhtar, said the university has enough cleaners for the hostels and that enough detergents and disinfectants are distributed to them.