Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The management of Ekiti State University (EKSU), in collaboration with the Students’ Union, the Nigeria Police Force, and the Dean of Student Affairs, convened an emergency stakeholders’ meeting on Thursday, April 23, 2026, with landlords and hostel representatives operating within the university’s immediate environment. The meeting, held on campus, was called to address a worsening security crisis that has left students vulnerable to theft, harassment, and even physical attacks in off‑campus hostels. The gathering also tackled the long‑standing issue of exploitative hostel fees, arbitrary charges by caretakers, and the presence of criminal elements who have turned the surrounding neighbourhoods into danger zones. It was the most comprehensive dialogue between the university, law enforcement, and private hostel owners in recent memory, and it ended with a raft of binding resolutions aimed at restoring safety and fairness for the student population.
The meeting was necessitated by a series of disturbing incidents that have plagued students residing outside the university campus. According to multiple reports heard during the session, students have been routinely targeted by thieves who break into poorly secured hostels, by so‑called “Egbon Adugbo” (local area boys) who harass and extort newly admitted students, and by unknown persons who use abandoned hostels as hideouts to plan crimes. The Dean of Student Affairs, who spoke at the event, expressed deep concern that parents were increasingly reluctant to allow their children to live off‑campus, and that the university’s reputation was being damaged by the insecurity around its gates. “We cannot claim to be a centre of learning when our students are not safe in their own beds,” he told the gathering.
The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) responsible for the EKSU axis delivered a strong message of enforcement. He announced that security checks would now be conducted daily from 6:00 p.m. onwards, substantially extending the hours of visible policing. He also confirmed that any individual operating within the school environment must now carry proper identification, including visible plate numbers for vehicles and authorised jackets for commercial operators. The DPO warned that persons found loitering without identification or engaging in suspicious behaviour would be arrested and prosecuted. “We are not here to negotiate security. We are here to enforce it,” he told the landlords.
One of the most heated discussions centred on the role of “Egbon Adugbo” – local youth who have appointed themselves as unofficial guardians of neighbourhoods. Students alleged that these individuals often demand illegal “settlement” fees from new students, threaten violence if payments are not made, and in some cases are complicit in theft and burglary. The police representative confirmed that several of such individuals had already been arrested and that any landlord found harbouring or colluding with them would be held equally culpable. The meeting also identified abandoned hostels as major security risks. Several such buildings, it was noted, have become hideouts for criminals who break into occupied hostels or attack students walking alone at night. Landlords who own such properties were given an ultimatum to either secure them or face prosecution.
The Students’ Union President, who was a central figure in the meeting and was marking his 100th day in office, expressed profound disappointment at the poor turnout of landlords. He noted that while hundreds of hostels exist around the university, fewer than half of the affected property owners bothered to attend. “You are quick to collect rent, but slow to guarantee safety,” he said. He then launched a strong critique of exploitative practices, including arbitrary increases in hostel fees without any corresponding improvement in facilities such as water supply, electricity, or security. He reminded landlords that students are not salaried workers and that relentless extortion is driving many into depression and financial distress.
The Union President also spoke passionately about the daily suffering of students due to poor electricity supply. He announced a major intervention: within the next 60 days, the Students’ Union will provide two transformers for Phase 2, a densely populated student residential area that has endured months of blackout. “I cannot claim to be a leader while my people struggle in darkness,” he declared. His announcement was met with applause from the students present, though some landlords expressed scepticism, noting that the Union would need to work closely with the Power Holding Company of Nigeria and the state government to achieve the goal.
The Hostel Committee Chairman, Ekudayo, unveiled a set of sweeping regulations aimed at bringing order to the private hostel market. He announced that from the next semester, a fixed hostel fee structure would be enforced across all hostels around the university, eliminating the chaotic variation in prices that has allowed landlords to charge exorbitant rates. A list of certified agents would also be published to help students avoid fraudsters who pose as legitimate caretakers. In addition, a WhatsApp group would be created for all landlords, caretakers, and agents to facilitate real‑time communication with the university security unit and the police. “If you are not in the group, you will not be allowed to operate,” Ekudayo warned.
The Deputy Vice Chancellor (DVC), who arrived later due to other official engagements, expressed gratitude to the police, the Students’ Union, and the landlords who attended. He acknowledged that the university had been slow to address the security crisis, but pledged that the management would now take a more active role. He announced that the school areas would be divided into sections, with each section assigned a dedicated security team to ensure rapid response to emergencies. The DVC also assured students that the university would install additional lighting along dark footpaths leading to off‑campus hostels, a request that the Union had repeatedly made.
Each landlord was given an opportunity to speak. Several complained about the cost of installing fence walls, burglar‑proof bars, CCTV cameras, and hiring security guards. Others argued that the proposed fixed hostel fee would not reflect the varying quality of their properties. However, the Dean of Student Affairs dismissed those concerns, noting that safety is not optional and that any landlord unwilling to comply would be blacklisted. “If you cannot provide a safe environment, you have no business renting to students,” he said.
The meeting ended with a clear roadmap: all hostels must be properly fenced, each room must have secure doors and locks, CCTV coverage is strongly recommended, and larger properties must employ screened security personnel. Landlords are now directly responsible for monitoring their tenants and will be held accountable for any criminal activity traced to their buildings. The police and the university security unit will begin random inspections within the next two weeks. The Students’ Union President, while acknowledging that much work remains, described the meeting as a victory for student advocacy. “We have spoken, and they have heard us. Now we must watch to ensure they act,” he said. For the thousands of EKSU students who have lived in fear and financial exploitation, the resolutions offer a fragile hope that their daily nightmare may finally be coming to an end.
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