Calm Returns to UNIJOS After Student Protest Over Sanitation

Academic activities have resumed at the University of Jos following a brief disruption caused by a peaceful student protest over poor sanitary conditions in the hostels. The situation has since been resolved through dialogue between the university administration and student representatives.

The University Administration has been actively working to address the issue of delayed cleaning services and facility updates, which have caused some discomfort in the living conditions of students. Regrettably, a lack of accurate information initially contributed to some misunderstandings regarding the University’s efforts in this regard.

Following the disruptions, the University Management immediately convened a constructive meeting with the Students, where they were presented with comprehensive details of the issues in contention to dispel prior misconceptions. Contrary to information in some quarters, it was clarified that no Cleaning Contractor was owed nine months of unpaid claims. Instead, despite limited resources, the University has cumulatively successfully cleared about five months of outstanding payments. However, the delay in crediting some of the Cleaning Contractors resulted from some procedural aspects inherent in financial transactions of this nature, not due to a neglect of obligations by the University Management.

Similarly, it must be emphasised that contractual payments are processed only after the completion of the agreed work, in alignment with standard operational protocols, not before. Therefore, Contractors who had undertaken not to work within the period under review could not expect to be paid for doing no work. With these clarifications, the University and Student representatives agreed that the protest should be discontinued. In a proactive response, the University Administration has swiftly approved the commencement of hostel renovations and the immediate evacuation of waste to enhance sanitary conditions.

The University Management wishes to commend the students for their peaceful engagement and willingness to address their concerns through dialogue, reinforcing the spirit of community and cooperation that the University of Jos prides itself on. This resolution ensures that academic activities have resumed without further interruption, focusing on a positive educational atmosphere for students, Staff, Stakeholders, and the entire University community.