By Yisau Babatunde At 22, Zakariya, not his real name, believed his life was finally changing. In a crowded hostel minimart inside Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto (UDUS), his struggle for survival met what sounded like an answer to prayer. For a full year, he endured scorching heat, sleepless nights, hunger, humiliation and relentless pressure, all…
By Fathiu jimoh When Abdulganiyu Halimat received a message from a friend that the GST 214 results had been released, she felt no fear. Calm and confident, she opened her student portal that afternoon, expecting relief. Instead, she froze. An “F” stared back at her beside GST 214 (Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution), the course…
By Fathiu Jimoh When Zainab Mudasiru, a graduand of Zoology, was preparing to submit her final year project, she was full of joy, thinking she would finally reunite with her family the following week. Little did she know that the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) was about to announce a two-week warning strike. In…
By Rasheedat Abidiesin The resulting light from the working small generator illuminated Faisal Murtala’s shop. He was standing at the front of his shop when this reporter walked up to him. As darkness envelopes the Caliphate sky, Faisal could not help but smile as students would soon come to patronize his Sharwama spot. Nestled in…
By Raheem Anifa Growing up in a society where age-long social constructs often triumph ambitions, Ayyub Haleemat Abake, a resident of Badia-ijora Lagos State, stood her ground against the odds to preserve her future—therefore bagging First-class honour in Statistics at Kawara State University, Malete (KWASU) Ayyub Haleemat’s inspiring academic journey to achieve this remarkable feat…
By Fathiu Jimoh Who will take the blame when I didn’t go home? Is it my fault to stay behind after my examination? Several sorts of questions encircled Mujaheed Abdulrahman’s mind when he lost his valuable items to the hands of a thief. Over the weeks, his hostel’s electricity danced to the tune of blackout….
By Fathiu Jimoh It was a typical evening at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto (UDUS), around 6:30 PM. After a grueling marathon lecture, Abdullahi Aisha, a 200-level English student, headed to a classroom, hoping to get some reading done before returning to her hostel. As was her daily routine.However, for many students finding a conducive environment…
By Habibullah Temako Ademorayo* could talk for days about the exploitation she has faced since choosing to stay in Gida Nkiruma, one of the private hostels at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto (UDUS). From her 100-level, she lived in a school hostel because it was affordable. But by 400-level, she needed something more spacious and restful,…
By Rasheedat Abidiesin On a fateful Wednesday afternoon in July 2025, the droplets of water are still descending on the earth. Zainu Abiden’s patience was pushed to the brink after a heavy downpour saw him and his other colleagues sheltered in one of the classes at the Faculty of Engineering and Environmental Science (FEES), in…
By Shehu Uthman For Muhammad Usman Dattijo, an indigene of Niger State, economic challenges have not only put most of his plans on hold, but also severally denied him the opportunity to resume school early every semester. The burden of carrying the family’s responsibilities has been placed on the 300-level law student shoulders since the…
