UniJos restores calm after student protest over hostel sanitation issues

Normalcy has returned to the University of Jos (UniJos) following a brief disruption of academic activities caused by a peaceful student protest over sanitary conditions in the university’s hostels.

The protest, which was conducted in a calm and orderly manner last week, was aimed at drawing attention to delayed cleaning services and poor hostel hygiene.

The University Administration responded by engaging the students in a constructive dialogue to address their concerns.

According to a statement signed on Friday by Abdullahi Abdullahi, Senior Deputy Registrar (Information and Publications), made available to Journalists on Sunday in Jos, the University clarified several misconceptions, including claims that cleaning contractors were owed nine months of unpaid fees.

The University explained that approximately five months of payments had already been cleared despite financial constraints.

“The delays in crediting some cleaning contractors were as a result of procedural issues inherent in institutional financial transactions, not neglect of responsibility by the management”; the statement said.

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It further clarified that contractors are only paid upon completion of assigned tasks, in line with operational guidelines.

“Contractors who had opted not to work during the disputed period could not expect payment for work not rendered”; the management noted, emphasizing the University’s commitment to transparency and due process in contract execution.

Following these clarifications, student representatives agreed to discontinue the protest. In response, the University has approved immediate actions including hostel renovations and expedited waste evacuation to improve sanitation across all student residences.

The University Management commended the students for their peaceful approach and cooperative spirit, adding that academic activities have fully resumed.

The Administration reiterated its commitment to maintaining a conducive environment for learning, growth, and mutual respect within the campus community.

Nathaniel Gbaoron

Nathaniel E. Gbaoron is the Plateau State correspondent for BusinessDay and a seasoned journalist with a decade of experience covering sub-national affairs across Taraba, Adamawa, Nasarawa, Benue, Plateau, and other states. He holds both National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) in Mass Communication from Fidel Polytechnic, Gboko. Over the years, he has participated in numerous media trainings and workshops spanning various areas of reporting, strengthening his expertise in economic and political reporting, community-level governance, development stories, and conflict-sensitive journalism. He is a member of Correspondent Chapel in Plateau state, a member of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), he is also a Rotarian and a member of Plateau Club 1921.