Awo Hall Residents Protest over Imminent Eviction

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                John Alabi 

In the late hours of Thursday, 23 April, the Chairman of the Awolowo Hall of Residence, Lateef Akeem, and a few other executives of the hall, announced the proposed renovation of certain blocks in the hall, which they say would come with an immediate eviction of the residents of these blocks, effective from Friday, 24th April.

According to the Chairman, the directive came directly from the Division of Students Affairs (DSA), mandating an eviction of all residents of Block 7 and 8 of the hall, respectively. The renovation, he further explained, is set to commence on Monday, 27 April, however, the mandatory eviction must be compulsory by tomorrow.

 This announcement was met with great dissatisfaction, displeasure, mixed reactions and responses from the residents, particularly the affected students, who described the announcement as an impromptu, unplanned and unreasonable move, referencing how the University's transport system crises remains unsolved. 

READ ALSO: https://theiconsorg.blogspot.com/2026/04/greatife-studentsunion-grifs-part-4.html

The Hall Chairman, in a bid to gain more reactions and deliberate on the way forward with the residents, especially those of  Block 7 and 8, an impromptu congress was held at the hall cafeteria, where the residents tagged the management’s move as an insensitive and oppressive move, that doesn't offer a room for dialogue and prior notice. 

Taking into account how students welfare has been neglected and students well being is now being toyed with, as several residents complained about the rooms being choked with too many occupants, stating that the proposed eviction of Block 7 and 8 residents is highly impossible and unacceptable.

Sequel to the meeting, a peaceful demonstration was observed from Awo cafe to the Student Union Building, with hundreds of the hall residents protesting against the university’s harsh and imposing approach in carrying out a renovation.

As of press time, the only resolution made after the protest was to ensure that the Dean, Division of Students Affairs, come down to the Awolowo Hall of Residence, to address all the hall, and most importantly the residents of the affected blocks.

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