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By John Ogunsemore
Comrade Babatunde Afeez Akinteye, an alumnus of Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (OAUSTECH) and immediate-past Senate President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), has appealed to the Ondo State Government, the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC), and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to urgently complete the long-abandoned hostel project at the university.
Akinteye, popularly known as (BABTEE), made the appeal in a statement sent to Daily Sun on Thursday.
Akinteye said he wrote with empathy from his experiences as a student affected by the non-residential campus, noting the significant challenges posed by the absence of functional on-campus hostels.
He said, “A non-residential campus is both inadequate and unsuitable for a conducive learning environment.
“The absence of a functional student hostel at Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (OAUSTECH) poses significant challenges to students’ welfare and overall academic experience. Alas, students are forced to commute long distances daily, exposing them to security threats, accidents, and crime.
“We have on record the high level of insecurity off-campus, including the persistent incidents of burglary in student hostels, with students’ valuables frequently stolen.”
Akinteye further noted that the lack of on-campus accommodation imposes heavy financial burdens through transportation and off-campus housing costs.
“It is unfortunate that students must commute long distances daily, spending heavily on transport just to attend lectures, which drains them both financially and mentally.
“Consequently, students are unable to fully participate in campus life or engage in extracurricular activities that enhance their overall learning experience.
“Furthermore, the lack of on-campus hostel facilities has created a gap that off-campus landlords exploit by charging exorbitant rents, knowing that students have limited or no alternatives,” he stressed.
Akinteye also pointed out impacts on academic performance, saying the situation leads to fatigue, reduced access to facilities like libraries and laboratories, and limited peer interaction.
The ex-student leader, “Commuting long distances can lead to fatigue, which reduces the energy available for study, group work, and other essential academic programs, thereby hampering learning.
“Outside academics, students dispersed off-campus have fewer opportunities to interact and network with their peers, limiting social cohesion and engagement in campus life.”
He said the authorities must act swiftly for the sake of suffering students.
“To this end, I humbly appeal to the Ondo State Government, the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC), and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to urgently ensure the completion of the long-abandoned hostel project at Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (OAUSTECH) as a matter of utmost urgency and necessity for the welfare and academic wellbeing of students,” he said.
