The Alexander Brown Hall (ABH) is no longer anyone’s home. It used to be, but that is no longer the case. For the Brownites (residents of ABH), the phrase “ABH is home” has become a faint, almost ironic reminder of something they once knew. This sentiment is not without reason.
When students at the University of Ibadan refer to their various Halls of Residence as home, they typically don’t mean it in the exact, literal sense. A hall of residence is a temporary arrangement—a stopgap between the comforts of family life and the demanding rigours of academic pursuits.
Even in its transient nature, a hall should embody certain elements of home: safety, comfort, and an environment conducive to students’ productivity and growth. It should be a place where one can recharge after the intellectual exhaustion of a lecture hall or a hospital ward. ABH once fit that description, perhaps a long time ago. Now, however, it has become a mere shadow of its former self—a place where the essentials—electricity, water, and livability—are no longer assured.
For over 80 days, the residents of ABH, known as Brownites, have been subjected to a complete blackout. This state of metaphorical and literal darkness has profoundly affected every aspect of their lives. The absence of electricity has transformed what was once considered “the promised land” into a hall “in a romantic relationship with darkness.” This situation raises the question of whether the phrase “ABH is home” can ever regain its meaning.
This sentiment is echoed loudly in the voices of Brownites in a recent interview with the ABH Press, where they expressed their frustrations with painful clarity. Their words paint a picture of a place that has fallen into disrepair and no longer offers the support it once did.
Life Inside ABH: A Deteriorating Reality
An ideal hall of residence is more than just a collection of rooms; it should be a place where students recharge, focus, and thrive, providing necessities like electricity, water, and cleanliness while fostering a supportive community. For ABH residents, as UI students, such privileges should be a given, yet they remain elusive. ABH lags far behind other halls on the main campus, which receive limited but regular amenities. As Ololade, a 600L medical student, aptly put it, “We paid fees. The university should treat us with priority and not like second-class students.”
However, the current blackout has left residents without these basic amenities. Many students have not yet returned to ABH after the Christmas break due to a combination of factors: the ongoing strike action by MDCAN consultants, persistent blackouts, unreliable water supply, and the overall deterioration of the hall, all of which make returning unappealing.
In a poll conducted on the ‘We are Brownites’ WhatsApp group on January 8th, about 55 percent of respondents reported that they had not yet returned to the hall. This percentage seems to be increasing as conditions worsen. The reasons for resuming school or staying at home reflect the diverse realities faced by Brownites as they navigate the challenges of living in ABH. Many students in the Department of Physiotherapy have had no choice but to resume classes, as academic activities have started, and they cannot afford to stay away.
These stories reveal a broader truth: for many students at the University, the decision to stay on campus is not a matter of choice but a necessity. David, a 400 Level physiotherapy student, explained that while his peers in the MBBS and BDS programs can stay home due to the ongoing strike, his academic commitments leave him no option but to endure the difficult living conditions. For him and many others, academic responsibilities outweigh the discomforts of residing in the dormitory. Esther, a student in the same program, added, “The conditions are too poor for me to stay, but I have no other options.”
For some students like Goodluck, a 500 Level medical student, leaving the dormitory was the only practical solution. “I can’t stay where there’s little to no supply of basic amenities. So, yes, I looked for somewhere else to stay and come back from time to time at my convenience,” he said. Similarly, another student commented, “I have a place off-campus to stay. The dormitory is not a place to live.” These statements highlight the privilege of those who can afford alternatives, a privilege that not everyone shares.
The challenges extend from academics to personal hygiene. Ololade expressed his struggles: “The heat is unbearable, and the bedbugs that come with it are a serious problem.” Students have reported fears of returning due to bedbugs and the persistent lack of electricity. Jasper emphasized the futility of trying to maintain academic focus under such conditions: “We waste the limited time and energy we have on charging devices and fetching water. It’s unfair to us.”
These living conditions starkly contrast with the ideal dormitory environment. Tunmise, a 600 Level student, noted, “It’s detrimental to students’ health. I just can’t cope with it.” His classmate, Gbadamosi, was more blunt: “It’s unlivable.” For students like these, the dormitory no longer represents a place where they can thrive; instead, it has become a barrier to their growth and well-being.
Respondents’ comments reflect the cascading effects of the absence of electricity, impacting everything from academics to mental health. “The dormitory has completely deteriorated,” lamented one resident. For students like Goodluck, these conditions have forced them to adapt in ways that detract from their main focus: learning. “I returned hoping to sign some procedures and start my case write-up, but I can’t even do that. Plus, I can’t stay where there’s little to no supply of basic amenities,” he said. Instead, he spends much of his time traveling off-campus to charge his devices or find a suitable place to work.
The emotional toll of living in these conditions has been profound for many students. Halleluyah (500 Level) shared, “I was seriously stressed last year… Seriously. I don’t want that to happen this year. It even affected my health. I’m just regaining myself.” Tunmise also expressed concerns about mental well-being, stating, “It’s not good for students’ health. I just can’t cope with it.” Some students have grown resigned to their circumstances. “There’s nothing I can do about it. I have to resume,” Victor (2k22) said. This sense of resignation underscores the challenges students face, as they have little choice but to endure conditions that are far from conducive to growth or productivity. Yet, the struggle to adapt remains constant. Students responding to the press share stories of long commutes to charge their devices, studying under dim flashlights, and waking up drenched in sweat due to the stifling heat.
The privilege gap between those who can leave and those who cannot becomes even more apparent when considering the daily struggles of those who stay. Joy (400L, Physiotherapy) described her situation, saying, “Life here is terrible, to say the least. Fetching water and charging my devices is a constant struggle, and it’s taking a toll on my physical and mental health.” For students like her, the challenges of living in the ABH are magnified by the absence of alternatives, leaving them trapped in an environment that fails to support their well-being or productivity.
What Can Be Done?
This blackout highlights not just infrastructural decay but also a glaring indication of a governance system that has failed to prioritize education and student welfare. To understand the scale of the issue, it is essential to examine the financial obligations and operational costs involved. Reports indicate that UCH owes over 500 million naira for electricity, a debt that has crippled utility services in the hall. Furthermore, residents of ABH reportedly pay sixty thousand naira for accommodation, which is comparable to other halls on the main campus, yet the living conditions differ drastically.
Students are left questioning why the university has allowed such a vital hall to fall into disrepair. This neglect reveals the administration’s lack of empathy for the student experience. Eunice (BDS 600L) voiced her frustration, saying, “College management should address us and provide an effective solution as soon as possible. It’s really bad that they seem not to empathize with us.” Her words reflect a widespread sentiment among Brownites that their struggles are not only ignored but also trivialized by those in power.
The administration’s lack of responsiveness has forced students and hall executives to shoulder burdens that should not be theirs to bear. From initiating a solar project to fundraising for basic amenities, Brownites have had to take on responsibilities that highlight the systemic failures of the university. Goodluck questioned the lack of immediate solutions, asking, “What do we do to solve the current issue in the short term, at least before this project is completed?” His question underscores the urgency of addressing not just the symptoms but the root causes of ABH’s decline.
On the other hand, Jasper described the solar project as “a fantastic and long-term project, to be honest… whatever we need to do to get this up and running is what we should chase at this point.” While the project offers hope, it also raises questions about sustainability and inclusivity. Joy pointed out the challenges, saying, “It is a good one, but it is a long-term intervention. The question is, How do we survive pending when the solar project is implemented?”
However, this cautious optimism is tempered by the frustrations of those who see no clear path forward. Anony (MBBS 500 Level) lamented, “I hate that it has to be student-run. We already learn most of what we do online, the main reason we came here. Now, we have to sort out this like this? Give me my degree already.”
For others, the focus remains on immediate interventions to alleviate the hall’s current struggles. Students like Esther (500 Level, MBBS) have called for quick action, urging the administration to “provide water and constant light daily.” Similarly, Betty (400 Level, MBBS) suggested addressing the debt owed to UCH to restore basic amenities: “Pay UCH’s debt to restore light and water. Slowly solve other issues.” These statements highlight a practical approach, indicating that while long-term solutions are essential, short-term relief is equally important.
The broader implications of ABH’s plight extend beyond the physical conditions of the hall. They reflect a failure to prioritise the well-being of students, a lack of strategic foresight, and a disconnect between the university’s leadership and its community. While students continue to endure, adapt, and advocate for change, the administration must confront its role in this crisis and take meaningful steps to restore ABH to its former status as the “promised land.”
As the situation persists, the question remains: What does this decline say about the university’s values? More importantly, what will it take to ensure that ABH and the students who call it home receive the attention and care they deserve? The Student Union has recently joined the call for change, sending an open letter to the federal government highlighting ABH’s dire conditions and urging for urgent intervention.
To be frank, the plight of ABH residents has been lamented repeatedly, painstakingly chronicled by several press bodies; here, here, here, and here. Yet, despite these reports laying bare their struggles, little has changed. This tragic cycle of documentation and inaction reflects the neglect and silence of those who should care, leaving the residents’ suffering an unending narrative of despair.
The Student Union’s deadline has expired, and no action has been taken to address the troubling conditions at ABH. It’s worrisome that despite the reports and appeals, the government and relevant authorities have remained silent, demonstrating a troubling indifference to the students’ suffering. In response to this silence, a notice of peaceful demonstration has been announced by the student union to address this blackout. The convergence point and the time for the protest are the main gate of UCH at 7am respectively
Ultimately, whether ABH can be restored depends on a coordinated effort from all stakeholders. The administration must take responsibility for addressing the hall’s structural issues and financial challenges while hall executives need continued support for their initiatives. Additionally, it’s time for students to be vocal their advocacy for change. As Elijah put it, “Although not a complete solution, any effort that makes living easier will make a big difference.”
