# UNIJOS fails students with disabilities

> Students with disabilities at UNIJOS face unsafe hostels and inaccessible facilities.
- Title: UNIJOS fails students with disabilities | Shortify
- Summary: Students with disabilities at UNIJOS face unsafe hostels and inaccessible facilities. UNIJOS Village Hostel lacks wheelchair access, clean toilets, and safe…
- Keywords: unijos, students with disabilities, village hostel, wheelchair access, toilets, rainy season, disability rights, nigeria, Premium Times Nigeria
- Source: Premium Times Nigeria — https://premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/922361-unsafe-hostels-other-facilities-how-unijos-fails-students-with-disabilities.html
- Author: Manasseh Mbachii
- Published: 2026-11-04T04:00:35+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: unijos, students with disabilities, village hostel, wheelchair access, toilets, rainy season, disability rights, nigeria, news, politics
## 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.
## Key takeaway

UNIJOS Village Hostel lacks wheelchair access, clean toilets, and safe pathways for students with disabilities.