UNIJOS fails students with disabilities

Students with disabilities at UNIJOS

Students with disabilities at UNIJOS face barriers to independent living and learning due to inaccessible hostels and classrooms.

Monica Joseph's bathroom struggle

Monica Joseph crawls on hands and knees to enter bathroom without wheelchair ramp or support devices.

“I become even dirtier after coming out of the bathroom”

Rainy season challenges

Water collects around hostel during rainy season forcing students to crawl on wet ground.

Village Hostel construction

Village Hostel built in mid-1980s alongside other early halls such as Abuja Hostel built in 1984.

Bathroom conditions

Bathroom is old, poorly maintained with no ramp, grab rails or accessibility features.

“The toilet area was dirty and emitted a strong stench”

Overgrown bushes

Overgrown bushes surround Village Hostel making movement difficult for wheelchair users.

Classroom accessibility

Most classrooms lack provisions for independent movement of students with disabilities.

James Patrick's fall

James Patrick fell off bridge in 2025 while crossing to school without guide.

“I fell off the bridge because there was no guide to show me the safe path”

University's disability program

University trains professionals in special education since 1978 with current programs covering visual impairment.

Disability law

Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018 requires accessible buildings with five-year transition period.

“Section 3 of the Act states persons with disabilities have right to access physical environment”

Facility improvement fees

Students pay ₦5,000 facility improvement fee and ₦30,000 utilities per session.

Fee controversy

UNIJOS proposed increasing undergraduate fees from ₦45,000 to ₦213,050 in 2023 after protests.

Student union concerns

Students' Union Government wrote to management about hostel conditions and flooding issues.

“There is a waterlogged area during rainy season. Water floods right into their rooms”

National Commission silence

National Commission for Persons with Disabilities executive secretary declined calls and messages.

“I am so sorry, I can’t answer the phone right now. How can I help you?”

Management response

Dean of Student Affairs declined call and read message without responding.

Village Hostel conditions

Students with disabilities navigate Village Hostel with assistance from colleagues due to inaccessible facilities.