By Victor Itodo Abuh
IN A SWIFT response to a viral social media post highlighting the deplorable state of students’ hostels at the Benue State University (BSU), Makurdi, the Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Hon. Aondona Dajoh, has directed an urgent inspection of the facilities.
The Speaker instructed Hon. Manger Manger, Chairman of the House Standing Committee on Higher Education, to visit the university and assess the situation firsthand.
The visit, which took place on January 29, 2025, followed a Facebook post by Krayzeetee Terver Atu on January 28, 2025, where he decried the “uninhabitable” condition of the hostels, likening them to a “prison” and “pig farm.”
Accompanied by popular OAP Daniel Uza, Hon. Manger was taken around by the university’s Coordinator of Physical Planning, Arc. Herbert Pinne. The delegation was reportedly shocked by the appallingly unhygienic state of the hostels, with no proper toilet facilities, widespread mosquito infestations, and female students resorting to urinating behind fences due to a lack of privacy.
In his Facebook post, Atu had passionately appealed to Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia and the Benue State Government to urgently intervene.
He stressed that students who pay hefty fees deserve a conducive learning environment.
His revelations sparked public outrage, compelling the state’s authorities to take immediate action.
Reacting to the visit, a source close to the Speaker expressed optimism that Hon. Dajoh and the Benue State House of Assembly would act swiftly to ensure BSU students get befitting hostel accommodation.
The move has been widely praised as a sign of responsive governance, with many urging the state government to prioritise the welfare of students by renovating the hostels without delay.
Background: The Viral Post That Sparked Action
In his now-viral post, Atu lamented how students endure harsh living conditions, lack basic amenities, and have no access to scholarships despite the university generating significant revenue.
He stated: “As it is now, even Kuje prison is far better than BSU hostels, and no Benue student deserves to stay here.”
Atu emphasized that his post was not an attack on the government but a desperate call for intervention.
What’s Next?
Following the inspection, all eyes are now on the Benue State House of Assembly and the state government to take decisive action.
Students and concerned citizens await concrete steps to renovate the hostels and improve living conditions for thousands of undergraduates.
As the pressure mounts, the question remains: Will this outcry finally lead to long-overdue reforms, or will it be another case of unfulfilled promises?
All the images in this report were taken from the Facebook post under reference.
