Inferno, Inaction, and Neglect: Crisis in the Hall

Oladele Robiat

The state of the halls of residence at the University of Ibadan is dire. A recent incident on 5th December 2024 serves as a painful reminder of the deplorable state of student accommodation and the lack of basic emergency infrastructure on campus.

On the morning of Thursday, 5th December 2024, a fire broke out in Queen Elizabeth II Hall, one of the most popular halls of residence at the University of Ibadan. The blaze left students in shock and panic, highlighting the deep inadequacies in the university’s emergency preparedness. What was most alarming was that basic firefighting tools such as fire extinguishers, sand buckets, or even water hoses were not available to combat the fire.

For over thirty minutes after the outbreak, no action was taken to quell the fire. Students, many of whom were still in their rooms, were left to fend for themselves, with no means of containing the disaster. In the absence of any immediate response, they were forced to evacuate their rooms, running to the nearest safe spots, including outside the hall gate, hoping for the best.

The situation worsened as fire services were delayed in reaching the hall. According to eyewitnesses, it took over thirty minutes before fire trucks could arrive at the scene. Even then, the fire service workers faced difficulties in accessing the hostel due to the narrowness of the roads and overcrowded spaces, which prevented their vehicles from getting close enough to effectively put out the flames.

The delay and difficulty in accessing the hall for firefighting efforts is a glaring reflection of the inadequate infrastructure on campus. This failure to respond swiftly in a moment of crisis calls into question the university’s preparedness for emergencies and its commitment to the safety of its students.

In the aftermath of the fire, students have expressed outrage over the lack of basic safety equipment in the hall of residence. Many were still shaken by the traumatic experience, with some unable to sleep due to the shock they experienced.

Oludele Jomiloju Precious, a first-year student of the Department of Veterinary Medicine, described the hall as being in a “bad state,” adding that the fire outbreak was largely caused by negligence among some of the residents. “The fire outbreak was caused by the negligence of the residents of the block in the hostel, as well as the dry harmattan season, which contributed to the rapid spread of the fire,” she said.

Raji Hassanat, a 400-level History student, shared her own experience of the incident. “I was woken up by the noise, and when I looked outside, I saw the rooms were burning. It was a scary experience, but honestly, I can’t comment on the state of the hall right now because I’m still trying to process everything.”

Meanwhile, a 200-level student from the Department of Communication and Language Arts, who wished to remain anonymous, stated, “I wasn’t there when it started, but I do know that it came from the Hall Warden’s office. I’m not sure about the specifics, but I’m not ready to speak further until I know more.”

One third-year Economics student expressed frustration at the lack of basic safety measures in the hall, saying, “It’s so disappointing that the hall didn’t have any fire extinguishers. This incident just highlights the poor maintenance of our facilities. Right now, everyone is still in shock, and it will take a while before the shock wears off.”

This fire outbreak is not an isolated incident. It is symptomatic of larger systemic issues within the university’s administration. The lack of emergency preparedness, the absence of vital resources like fire extinguishers, and the poor infrastructure of student halls speak volumes about the university’s disregard for the welfare of its students.

Many students have called for urgent reforms, including the provision of basic emergency equipment and a serious overhaul of the maintenance and safety protocols in all halls of residence. In an institution that prides itself on being one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in Nigeria, the current state of its accommodation is both embarrassing and unacceptable.

The university administration must take immediate steps to address the poor state of the halls of residence. This includes the installation of basic firefighting equipment, ensuring the availability of emergency response teams, and improving the overall infrastructure to ensure that students can live and study in a safe environment.

Furthermore, there is an urgent need to prioritise student welfare in the university’s budget and long-term plans. The lives of students are at risk due to the lack of attention to their basic needs, and the recent fire incident serves as a stark reminder that immediate action is necessary to prevent further tragedies.

In the meantime, students and alumni are calling for greater transparency and accountability from the university administration, urging them to prioritise the safety and well-being of students. If these issues are not addressed promptly, it could tarnish the reputation of an institution that many consider to be the cradle of academic excellence in West Africa.

As the university moves forward, it is clear that urgent reforms are needed to ensure that the state of the halls of residence reflects the standards of safety and care that the students of the University of Ibadan truly deserve.