By Onyeanya Ebere Immaculata
The House of Representatives Committee on University Education has urged the Vice Chancellor of the University of Abuja, Prof. Hakeem Fawehinmi, to investigate allegations of accommodation racketeering in the institution following petitions received by the committee.
The committee’s Chairman, Abubakar Fulata (APC–Jigawa), made the call during an oversight visit to the university in Abuja, alleging that some middlemen secure hostel spaces and sublet them to students at exorbitant rates, sometimes exceeding 500 per cent of the original cost.
He said the practice imposes hardship on students, particularly female students, and urged the university management to conduct a thorough probe.
Fulata also advised the Vice Chancellor to promote harmony among management, staff unions, and students, warning that leadership instability had previously led to the appointment of four vice chancellors within three years.
Meanwhile, the committee urged the management of the newly established Federal University of Technology, Abuja, to adhere strictly to federal character principles in staff recruitment and student admissions.
It also disclosed engagements with the Federal University of Technology, Minna, and the Federal University of Education, Kontagora, on administrative issues.
The Vice Chancellor of Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto, Prof. Bashir Garba, apologised for missing previous oversight visits and pledged transparent collaboration with the committee.
