Damaturu, NIGERIA – Reports have emerged that several students at Yobe State University (YSU), Damaturu, are currently sleeping in open areas and unsafe conditions following a severe accommodation crisis on campus.
Okay News gathered that the situation escalated following the recent resumption of academic activities for the 2025/2026 session. Dozens of students, many of whom are newly admitted, have been unable to secure spaces in the university’s residential halls, leaving them with no choice but to seek shelter in corridors, classrooms, and outdoor spaces.
The accommodation deficit comes despite the university’s efforts to streamline the process. Earlier in March 2026, the Students’ Union Government (SUG) Caretaker Committee issued a notice advising students to remain patient as the hostel accommodation portal was undergoing technical testing. However, the slow pace of allocation and the high volume of students have outpaced the available infrastructure.
The development has raised serious safety and health concerns among stakeholders. Affected students are reportedly exposed to the elements and potential security threats, especially given the broader security context in the region. Images circulating on social media show students laid out on mats and wrappers in open campus spaces, sparking calls for urgent intervention.
Observers have urged the university management, led by the newly appointed Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Muhammad Bashir Tahir, to collaborate with the state government to provide emergency housing solutions. While the university has recently focused on administrative reforms and registration extensions, the growing housing gap remains a critical threat to student welfare and academic success.
