Tension as Calabar varsity evicts, reclaims school’s apartments from senior staff

The University of Calabar (UNICAL) Governing Council has approved the eviction of occupants from the institution’s (Apartments) Boys’ Quarters (BQs), as senior staff accuse management of abuse of power while the university insists the action was approved by the Governing Council.

The Boys’ Quarters were originally designed to accommodate domestic staff and dependents of senior university employees but have become the subject of a growing dispute after management began reclaiming and reallocating them to junior staff.

An anonymous senior staff told reporters that university security personnel and staff of the Security and Technical Services Department (SAT) recently broke into several BQs, throwing out belongings of occupants, including those away on sabbatical or official duties.

“If I’m paying for the main house, I should have the right to use the BQ for my dependents, house helps, or relations. Some of our colleagues returned to meet their doors broken and personal items thrown outside. This is not acceptable in a university environment.” the source said

Another senior staff, who also preferred anonymity, described the eviction as high-handed and demeaning to senior members of the academic community.

“Is the management saying our house helps should now sleep in our bedrooms because the BQs have been seized? The source asked , warning that the situation could lead to a breakdown of law and order if not properly handled.

The university management, however, defended its decision, saying the exercise followed due process and was aimed at addressing accommodation challenges for junior staff and curbing unethical practices.

Speaking on behalf of the institution, Eyo Offiong, the University’s spokesperson, said the Governing Council directed that all staff to vacate the Boys’ Quarters after evidence showed many were being rented out to students and outsiders.

“Council decided that staff should give up their Boys’ Quarters. Letters were issued notifying them that the BQs had been revoked, and occupants were asked to vacate on or before April 30, 2025,” Effiong explained.

He said investigations revealed that staff collected between ₦80,000 and ₦350,000 yearly from students and outsiders while paying the university much less, describing the practice as embarrassing and unethical. Offiong added that the university also discovered security threats linked to some occupants.