Student Character Here Is Quite Different” — New Boys’ Hostel Administrator Speaks

​The newly appointed Hall Administrator of the New Boys’ Hostel, Main Campus, University of Abuja, Mr. Johnson, has officially resumed duties, and his early observations signal a firm resolve to restore discipline, improve facilities, and strengthen collaboration with student leadership.

Speaking during an interview with NUESA Blog, Mr. Johnson, who is still new to the system, expressed concern over student conduct within the hostel environment.

“What I observed is that the character of students here is quite different,” he said. “Imagine students going to the kitchen or laundry and urinate there. It is very bad.”

According to him, the misuse of communal spaces—particularly kitchens and laundries—has become a recurring issue, with students washing plates in corridors and disregarding laid-down hostel rules. To address this, Mr. Johnson revealed that he has formally called on SUG hostel governors and senators to rise to their constitutional responsibilities.

As noted by the reporter, these responsibilities are clearly enshrined in the University of Abuja SUG Constitution, specifically Article Nine, Section 3, and Article Seven, Section 3, which empower student leaders to maintain order and enforce discipline within hostels.

Mr. Johnson emphasized that rules without enforcement are ineffective.

“Students often ignore the rules and even the oath they signed. Without active sanctions, compliance will always be weak,” he noted.

Under the renewed enforcement framework, hostel governors and senators have been empowered to monitor student behavior closely and apply sanctions, including fines, where necessary, in line with the SUG constitution. The administration believes this approach will curb persistent misconduct and instill discipline, with visible improvements expected by the next academic term.

Despite being new, Mr. Johnson has hit the ground running. During our visit to his office, he was already in joint collaboration with the Hall Administrator of the New Girls’ Hostel, Mrs. Shola Idoko, working to provide additional bunk beds for stranded but legitimate occupants—especially students in the intervention rooms.

He also acknowledged critical facility challenges affecting hostel life, including:Inadequate bunk beds and noted that construction are ongoing to repair the spoilt bunks, poor drainage systems in kitchens and laundries, and persistent water shortages forcing students to queue as they did this morning.

Works are already ongoing to repair the spoilt bunks, bring in more bunks, improve drainage, and ensure adequate bunk provision. These daily maintenance efforts, Mr. Johnson noted, are being supported by the amiable and student-friendly Dean of Students’ Affairs, Prof. Kawu, whose leadership has been instrumental in driving rapid responses.

Mr. Johnson stressed that improving hostel life goes beyond enforcement—it requires communication and partnership.

He is also pushing for stronger collaboration with SUG leaders to: Improve awareness of hostel rules, encourage students to read and practice the oath they signed and  hold regular meetings and sensitization n sessions The newly appointed Hall Administrator of the New Boys’ Hostel, Main Campus, University of Abuja, Mr. Johnson, has officially resumed duties, and his early observations signal a firm resolve to restore discipline, improve facilities, and strengthen collaboration with student leadership.

Speaking during an interview with NUESA Blog, Mr. Johnson, who is still new to the system, expressed concern over student conduct within the hostel environment.