By Douglas Princemola
Students of Imo State University IMSU Owerri have intensified calls for government intervention as accommodation costs and electricity tariffs within the universitys host communities continue to rise to unprecedented levels. The growing financial burden, they say, is pushing students into severe hardship and threatening their ability to continue their education.
The students made their grievances public during a press conference held on Thursday December 4 2025, where they collectively condemned what they described as unchecked exploitation by landlords and service providers operating around the university environment. According to them the situation which has stretched over five years has now reached a crisis point that demands immediate government action.
Comrade Ugochukwu Emmanuel an Architecture student who spoke on behalf of the students expressed deep frustration over the manner in which landlords have continued to raise accommodation fees without any form of regulation or consideration for student welfare. Emmanuel explained that many students who previously paid between N120000 and N180000 for annual rent are now facing new charges ranging between N400000 and N600000 representing an increase so steep that it has left many stranded and unable to afford decent accommodation.
He noted that this arbitrary increment has become a form of intimidation especially for students from low income families who struggle to meet basic educational needs. Emmanuel added that the financial pressure has forced some students into unsafe coping mechanisms including odd jobs and social vices just to keep up with rising expenses.
The students also raised similar concerns about the rising electricity bills allegedly imposed by landlords and the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company EEDC. Comrade Victor Chukwuemeka Chinonso stated that electricity charges have soared so high that many students spend more on utility bills than on feeding or learning materials. He stressed that these conditions have made academic concentration increasingly difficult as students now worry more about survival than their studies.
Adding to the concerns Comrade Godwin Joseph popularly known as Moonlight and President of the Okwu Uratta Alliance IMSU described the situation as both unpleasant and unacceptable. He noted that the absence of effective regulation around student housing has emboldened landlords to act without restraint. According to him the current trends show that landlords and service providers are exploiting students with little or no oversight from government agencies.
The students maintained that urgent government intervention is required to safeguard their welfare and prevent a collapse in living conditions within the university communities. They also appealed to the Imo State House of Assembly especially the House Committee on Education to step in and address what they called a widening gap between the financial capability of students and the rising cost of living around the university.
They emphasized that if nothing is done within the next seven days they will have no option but to embark on a peaceful protest to draw stronger attention to their plight. The students insisted that their appeal is not political but a cry for help aimed at ensuring that education remains accessible to all regardless of economic background.
As the crisis continues to escalate IMSU students are hoping that Governor Uzodimma under his Shared Prosperity Administration will prioritize their welfare by regulating accommodation charges and addressing the rising cost of electricity that has made student life increasingly unbearable.
