A human rights group under the aegis of the Human Rights Defenders and Protectors Association of Nigeria (HRDPAN) has called on the Governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, to immediately investigate the alleged deplorable living conditions and exploitative practices at the College of Nursing Sciences Hostel, located within the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH).
In a statement jointly signed by A.Y. Aliyu, Southwest Director of HRDPAN, and Rasheed Ayodeji, the group’s National Publicity Secretary, the organisation raised serious concerns over the welfare of students living in the hostel and the management practices surrounding the facility. The statement alleged that the hostel, which was designed to house a specific number of students under regulated standards, has been grossly mismanaged to the detriment of the occupants.
The group alleged that the 600-bed hostel, originally intended to accommodate two students per room, now reportedly accommodates between four and eight students per room, a situation they described as “a gross violation” of Article 1.08 of the Minimum Requirements for General Nursing and Midwifery Education in Nigeria. According to the association, this overcrowding poses significant health and safety risks to the students.
HRDPAN further claimed that each student pays ₦250,000 per session for accommodation. With between four and eight students per room, the group estimated that the developer earns about ₦150 million per session, which it described as “an exploitative and unjustifiable profit” considering the poor living conditions.
The statement also disclosed that the association had earlier written to Governor Oyebanji in a letter dated April 23, 2025, drawing his attention to the situation. It alleged that both the school authorities and the private developer of the ₦800 million hostel facility were violating educational and health standards by overcrowding rooms and charging exorbitant fees. The group lamented that despite the governor’s track record in promoting growth and good governance, he had yet to respond to their petition.
The hostel, according to the group, was built and commissioned on October 22, 2024, as part of a public-private partnership (PPP) between the state government and Bvers Hostels and Suites. It was expected to serve as a model facility that would improve the learning environment and address accommodation challenges among nursing students. However, HRDPAN alleged that the project has become a source of hardship and exploitation instead of relief.
The group further raised safety concerns, noting that beyond the issue of overcrowding, students are reportedly exposed to unsafe and unsanitary conditions. “The rooms have become congested with no breathing space, and kitchens are cramped with multiple gas cylinders placed side by side,” the statement said. It added that “bathrooms and toilets designed for limited users are being overstretched, creating serious health risks for the students.”
HRDPAN alleged that during a recent accreditation visit by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN), some of these unsafe conditions were allegedly concealed. According to the statement, “some students were temporarily evacuated to mislead the accreditation team into believing that the facility meets national standards,” a move the group described as “a serious deception and a threat to students’ lives.”
The association also expressed concern over an alleged 70-year concession agreement reportedly signed between the developer and the state government, which grants the developer prolonged control over the hostel. It said this raised further questions about the transparency and fairness of the project’s terms.
In line with the Freedom of Information (FOI) Law of Ekiti State, HRDPAN disclosed that it had requested access to the blueprint, proposal, and contractual documents relating to the hostel project. However, the group claimed it had been met with “stiff resistance” from the management of the institution, which it accused of attempting to conceal key information.
The statement concluded with a strong appeal to Governor Oyebanji to take immediate action, warning that the association may be forced to pursue legal action if the state government fails to act swiftly. “As a civilised society, we must be proactive and not wait for disaster to strike before taking preventive measures,” the statement said. “This is a call to action!”
When contacted, the Provost of the College, Mrs. Awe, said all issues relating to the college should be directed to the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Professor Kayode Olabanji. However, efforts to reach Professor Olabanji for his comments were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
