Findings revealed that some hostel promoters have increased rent by as much as 40 percent compared to last academic session. For instance, a four-person room that previously cost ₦500,000 is now pegged at over ₦710,000 annually, while a single-occupancy room has risen to about ₦950,000.
The surge in demand for private hostels followed the temporary closure and renovation of the university’s official hostels last year. During the period, UNILAG management enforced online learning for one semester, with students only returning to campus in batches to sit for examinations. The limited supply of beds pushed many students towards privately owned hostels, which have since become a major alternative.
With the new academic session yet to commence, the university has not announced fresh rates for its official hostels. When contacted for comment, the institution’s Head of Communication Unit, Adejoke Ibraheem, directed inquiries to the university’s communication email address, stating: “Good evening sir. Kindly state your enquiry in clear terms to communicationunit@unilag.edu.ng. Thank you sir.”
Students who spoke on the issue expressed fears that the sharp rise in private hostel fees could worsen the already high cost of living on campus, especially as many families continue to grapple with economic pressures.
For now, uncertainty remains over whether the official hostels—once reopened—will provide relief or if students will be left at the mercy of private operators whose charges continue to soar.