Students of Osun State University (Uniosun), Ikire Campus, are crying out over what they describe as unjustified hikes in agent fees for off-campus housing even as the quality of the accommodation remains abysmally poor. The Nigeria Education News investigative team visited the town to verify the complaints and engage with both the students and property agents. What we found was troubling.
During our visit to the Ikire campus community, students expressed deep frustration over the condition of houses available for rent. Many described their rooms as “unfit for students,” citing issues ranging from leaky roofs, broken windows, poor sanitation, lack of water, to general insecurity in the area. Despite these issues, house agents still charge exorbitant fees in some cases, higher than what is paid for rent itself.
“I paid ₦280,000 for a self-contained room and had to pay another ₦50,000 to the agent,” said Adebimpe, a 300-level student. “The room has no good ceiling, no running water, and we fetch water far from the house. This is unfair and frustrating.” Her case is not isolated. Several students confirmed similar experiences, noting that agent fees now range from ₦40,000 to ₦80,000 depending on the location without corresponding value in housing quality.
The Nigeria Education News team visited some of the listed properties and confirmed that many were in terrible condition. Some lacked basic infrastructure like toilets, while others had cracked walls and no electricity supply. Despite this, students are forced to pay because they have no other alternatives, especially with a growing student population and limited hostel facilities.
The students also allege that landlords and agents are exploiting their vulnerability, knowing full well that many of them travel from other states and must settle quickly. Some even claimed they were denied receipts or written agreements, making it impossible to seek redress when problems arise.
According to another student, Kayode, “It’s like we’re being punished for seeking education. The house I’m staying in is basically a glorified kiosk, but I had no choice. The agents inflate prices and even threaten to give the house to someone else if you hesitate.” This fear of losing out forces many to accept poor conditions and pay high fees.
Interestingly, the agents interviewed defended the charges. One of them, who identified himself as Mr Rasheed, said: “We too dey pay money. Some landlords collect commission and leave us with little. Besides, more students come every year. Na demand and supply.” However, this market logic doesn’t justify the alarming lack of regulation and standard.
The Students’ Council of the campus also confirmed receiving numerous complaints about housing issues and exploitation by agents. “We are aware, and we’ve held meetings with some landlords and agents. But enforcement is difficult because these are private properties,” said a student leader, who pleaded anonymity.
Uniosun management, when contacted, acknowledged the challenges but said the school currently does not have legal jurisdiction over private housing agents. “We’re working on expanding our campus hostel capacity to reduce dependence on private housing,” a spokesperson told The Nigeria Education News team. “Until then, we urge students to report exploitative cases to the student affairs office.”
The investigation also revealed that many of the landlords do not maintain their buildings. Instead, they rely on agents to make quick turnovers, prioritizing profit over student safety and comfort. No formal regulation or oversight body is currently responsible for monitoring the student housing ecosystem in Ikire, which further compounds the problem.
Experts say this situation calls for government intervention. “What we are witnessing is a collapse of accountability in student housing,” says Dr. Tope Oloruntoba, an education policy analyst. “The state government needs to develop a framework to register agents, standardize fees, and enforce housing codes.”
The Nigeria Education News also found that in many cases, students ended up spending extra money to renovate their rented rooms. “After paying the agent fee and rent, I still bought a door and painted the room myself,” said Mariam, a 200-level student. “I spent over ₦150,000 on a room I don’t even own.”
Some of the playfully sarcastic posters seen among students read: “Room of Horror, Agent Fee of Terror,” “We Rent Potholes, Not Rooms,” and “Hostel or Dungeon?” These statements capture their frustration and growing anger over the situation.
The lack of hostels has become a major pain point for Uniosun’s Ikire campus students. It’s also indirectly affecting their academic performance, according to a lecturer who spoke anonymously. “How can a student who barely sleeps in a safe place focus well in class?” he asked.
In conclusion, unless swift action is taken, students at Uniosun Ikire campus will continue to suffer exploitation in silence. There is an urgent need for the school, government, and stakeholders to regulate the student housing sector in the town. As it stands, education in Ikire now comes at the cost of dignity.
