The University of Calabar (UNICAL) Students’ Union Government (SUG) Taskforce has officially issued a strong warning to all students and members of the university community against engaging in illegal space allocation within the campus. The notice, released on October 3, 2025, was signed by the Chairman of the SUG Taskforce, High Chief Winston Churchill, who emphasized that all unauthorized space allocations across the university will be revoked and reclaimed immediately.
The SUG Taskforce made it clear that the University of Calabar will not tolerate any form of illegal occupation, allocation, or privatization of school spaces, especially those meant for official or academic use.
Background: What Led to the Warning?
Over the years, space allocation on Nigerian university campuses—including UNICAL—has been a sensitive issue. Limited facilities, overcrowding, and poor infrastructure have often led to disputes over offices, lecture rooms, hostels, and stalls.
In many institutions, certain individuals or groups unlawfully allocate spaces to students, vendors, or organizations without proper approval from the school management. This illegal practice has reportedly caused tension, extortion, and misuse of school property.
The UNICAL SUG Taskforce stated that such actions violate university regulations and undermine transparency and fairness within the institution. The Taskforce assured the entire student body that it would continue to work closely with the university management to ensure that justice, order, and accountability prevail on campus.
The Warning from UNICAL SUG Taskforce
In the public notice issued by the SUG Taskforce, the leadership stated clearly:
“All illegal allocations of spaces within the University of Calabar, whether for commercial or personal purposes, are hereby revoked. Anyone found engaging in such unauthorized practices will face disciplinary actions in line with the university’s policies.”
High Chief Winston Churchill, the Taskforce Chairman, also called on all students, departmental executives, and student organizations to refrain from unauthorized occupation or allocation of university property.
The SUG emphasized that the Taskforce has full authority to investigate, reclaim, and restore illegally occupied spaces to their rightful status, working in tandem with university authorities.
Understanding “Illegal Space Allocation” at UNICAL
Illegal space allocation refers to the unauthorized use or allocation of physical spaces (rooms, offices, shops, or lecture halls) on campus for private gain or personal control.
Examples include:
- Individuals renting out school-owned spaces to others without official approval.
- Students occupying or locking rooms not assigned to them.
- Departments or groups subletting or blocking common areas for personal activities.
- Selling or assigning spaces in hostels, shops, or markets without SUG or management consent.
These actions disrupt the school’s administrative order and create unfair advantages for certain individuals.
💬 Why UNICAL SUG Took Action
The UNICAL SUG Taskforce decided to step in due to growing reports of:
- Unauthorized space takeovers in various parts of the university.
- Complaints from students who were denied access to certain spaces already allocated to them.
- Illegal rental activities conducted by individuals or organizations on campus.
- Unfair distribution of university resources.
According to the Taskforce, the campaign is aimed at restoring order, protecting students’ rights, and promoting accountability.
Effects of Illegal Space Allocation on Campus Life
Illegal space allocation can have several negative effects on both the university and students:
1. Unfair Access to Resources
Students who genuinely need spaces for academic or business purposes are denied access, while unauthorized persons benefit unfairly.
2. Conflict and Disorder
Such actions often lead to disputes and fights between groups or individuals, damaging the school’s reputation and peace.
3. Revenue Loss
When unauthorized people use university spaces, the institution loses potential revenue that could support development projects.
4. Administrative Breakdown
Illegal allocations create confusion in the record-keeping and management of facilities.
5. Encouragement of Corruption
Allowing illegal allocation encourages bribery and favoritism, which damages the moral and academic standards of the institution.
Reactions from the UNICAL Community
The warning has sparked mixed reactions from students and staff of the University of Calabar:
- Some praised the SUG Taskforce for standing up against corruption and misuse of resources.
- Others urged the university management to complement the SUG’s effort with strict enforcement and public awareness campaigns.
- A few students expressed concern that legitimate users might be mistakenly targeted, calling for transparency and due process during investigations.
The Role of the UNICAL SUG in Campus Governance
The Students’ Union Government (SUG) serves as the official representative of students in university affairs. It is responsible for protecting students’ rights, promoting welfare, and maintaining order on campus.
By launching this campaign, the UNICAL SUG demonstrates its commitment to:
- Ensuring equitable resource distribution.
- Upholding discipline and integrity within the student community.
- Supporting management in maintaining law and order.
This proactive action aligns with the SUG’s constitutional mandate to protect the interest of all students and ensure a conducive learning environment.
Legal and Administrative Implications
The SUG warning carries both disciplinary and administrative implications for offenders.
Students caught engaging in illegal space allocation could face:
- Suspension or expulsion (depending on the severity).
- Forfeiture of the illegally occupied space.
- Loss of SUG privileges or recognition.
- Reporting to the university disciplinary committee for further action.
The University of Calabar management has reportedly pledged to support the SUG’s efforts in reclaiming all unauthorized spaces.
Steps Students Should Take to Stay Compliant
To avoid falling into trouble, all students are advised to:
- Obtain official approval before using any university space.
- Report suspicious activities or unauthorized allocations to the SUG Taskforce.
- Avoid paying for any space not sanctioned by the university authorities.
- Keep all allocation documents or receipts as evidence of legitimacy.
- Educate fellow students about the risks of participating in illegal space allocations.
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Why This Matters for Other Nigerian Universities
The UNICAL SUG’s proactive move serves as an important reminder to other universities in Nigeria — such as UNILAG, UI, ABU, UNN, and OAU — about the importance of internal accountability and transparent management of campus resources.
Illegal allocations are not just administrative problems; they reflect the ethical culture of institutions. Tackling them promotes fairness, order, and trust between students, unions, and management.
Final Thoughts
The University of Calabar SUG Taskforce warning against illegal space allocation marks a new phase in campus governance and accountability. By taking this bold step, the student leaders have demonstrated maturity, responsibility, and a commitment to good governance.
Students are urged to cooperate fully with the Taskforce and management to ensure that campus spaces are used appropriately and for the benefit of the entire community.
A clean, fair, and transparent allocation system not only improves the image of UNICAL but also sets a positive example for other institutions nationwide.
