Lagos university accommodation costs soar at UNILAG and LASU, forcing students to commute, squat, and face poor facilities, disrupting education

Students at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, and Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, are struggling with rising hostel fees and poor accommodation, forcing many to commute long distances, squat with peers, or miss classes entirely.

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At LASU, old hostels cost ₦282,500 per student per session, while new hostels charge ₦352,500, despite recurring water shortages, unsanitary toilets, and inconsistent power supply.

Many students are now forced to seek off-campus accommodation, with rents in the Ojo area rising to ₦380,000 to ₦420,000 annually.

A 200-level student at Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello Hostel said water availability was limited to twice daily and often contaminated, describing it as “coloured and oily.”

Another student at Adenike Boho Hostel described life as “hellish,” citing unreliable power and filthy toilets.

The situation is worse at UNILAG, where privately run hostels charge up to ₦700,000 per student per session, four students per room, totalling ₦2.8 million.

University-run hostels are inadequate, often neglected, and considered uninhabitable.

Many students commute from distant areas, spending as much as ₦5,000 daily on transport, affecting attendance and academic performance.

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Students have called on university authorities and government agencies to expand hostel capacity, improve existing facilities, and provide affordable alternatives before the next academic session.