The management of the University of Calabar (UniCal) has begun evicting some staff members from the institution’s residential quarters, citing the need to provide housing for junior staff and to curb unethical practices involving the misuse of the facilities.
Speaking to journalists in Calabar on Tuesday, the university’s spokesperson, Mr. Eyo Effiong, explained that the Governing Council ordered the eviction after discovering that several senior staff members had illegally rented out the Boys’ Quarters (BQs) to students and outsiders.
According to Effiong, affected staff members were issued letters informing them that the ownership of the quarters had been revoked, and they were directed to vacate the properties by April 30, 2025.
He said investigations revealed that some staff collected between ₦80,000 and ₦350,000 annually from tenants while remitting only a fraction of the official rent to the university.
Describing the act as “unethical and embarrassing,” Effiong added that the practice also posed security risks to the university community.
“The reclaimed apartments will be reallocated to junior staff through the university’s housing department to ensure transparency, accountability, and proper rent deductions,” he said.
He emphasized that the policy was not targeted at professors or specific individuals but applied to all senior staff who misused the facilities, adding that those with legitimate grievances could appeal to the Governing Council, which approved the decision.
However, the eviction exercise has triggered outrage among some senior staff, who have accused the management of abuse of power and high-handedness.
One affected staff member, who requested anonymity, alleged that security personnel and members of the Security and Technical (SAT) Services Department forcibly broke into some quarters and threw out occupants’ belongings, including those who were away on official duties or sabbatical leave.
“If I’m paying for the main house, I should be allowed to use the BQ for my dependents or domestic staff. Some colleagues returned to find their doors broken and personal items dumped outside — that’s unacceptable in a university setting,” the staff member said.
Another lecturer, Mr. Jacob Emmanuel, described the eviction as “demeaning and disrespectful” to senior members of the university community.
“Is the management saying our house-helps should now sleep in our bedrooms because they’ve seized the BQs?” he asked, warning that the action could lead to unrest and a breakdown of order if not properly addressed.
