Fajuyi Hall Renovation: Occupants Share Their Thoughts

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By Adetunji Oluwafemi 
Some blocks in the Adekunle Fajuyi Hall of Residence, popularly known as Faj Hall, have a new look. Within the span of six months, these blocks underwent a total renovation. As a result, the renovated blocks stand out among the other blocks in the hall of residence.

Fajuyi Hall has often been associated with several derogatory names due to its dilapidated buildings and obsolete facilities, which resonate with the names it has been called. However, such name-calling no longer reflects the new look of the three newly renovated blocks in the hall, including Annex Blocks A, B, and C.


The renovation of these blocks started towards the end of the 2022/23 Rain Semester Academic Session, when an internal memorandum was released by the Division of Student Affairs (DSA) with a directive that all occupants of the hall should vacate the hall of residence immediately after finishing their examinations, which several students complied with.

Block A-B back view
John, a former resident of Block C (during the 2022/23 academic session), who now lives in Awolowo Hall, said that the renovation of Block A began while he was still taking his examinations and was about to observe his Students Industrial Working Experience Scheme (SIWES) on campus, meaning that he would still need to stay in the hall for some months. So, the hall management asked him to move to another block as a result of the renovation.

In a survey of these renovated blocks, Icons reporter found that each of these new blocks has designated water tanks that supply them with water, though they are not yet running in the bathrooms. Each room now has a set of newly furnished wardrobes, windows, doors, and redesigned iron bunks. Two wall-mounted electric fans are allocated to each room, and the floors are fully tiled. 
The tank in-between block A and B, however, it is meanrt for block B.

In addition, the toilets and bathrooms have also been given a new look, making them more exquisite and comfortable to use. Light bulbs, aluminum doors, taps, washing basins, and mirrors, among other facilities, are provided in these newly renovated blocks.

Regarding how the hall management has actively monitored the maintenance of these facilities, some residents feel that the management is being too hard on them, while others believe that being strict is the only way to ensure the sustainability of these facilities.


A resident of one of the renovated units, who preferred to remain anonymous, says, "Truth be told, these portal people are quite annoying. They check our rooms almost every now and then, and sometimes they compel us to mop the floor, even though we have our own cleaning timetable. What they're doing is understandable; however, they should take things slowly. We're adults, for crying out loud. Dem too dey overdo!"

In his view, David, a resident of Annex Block C, says that the renovation, to some extent, is up to standard; however, some of the materials used are not of good quality. For instance, the door of one of the bathrooms in our block has already been removed from its frame. He said he doesn't know whether it was not well fixed by the engineers or if the material itself is defective. He further added that he believes the problem could be one of the two, but it is not a good sign, especially since it is early to be experiencing this. The hall management should look into it.
A broken door of one of the toilets in Block C

Another resident of Block C, Room 110, says that he has no objections to the frequent visits of the hall management to their rooms, as it is a means to check the status of the facilities in each room. He further explained that the facilities will be maintained if the management visits more regularly even by next semester, because failure to do so will enable residents to abuse these facilities. Therefore, it is imperative for them to keep up with the maintenance efforts.

The renovation of these blocks has made life much easier for the residents of the renovated blocks. Residents of other blocks are anticipating the upcoming renovation of additional blocks in Fajuyi Hall.

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