The office of the Hall Tutor for the Non-Residential Students on Nyankpala Campus of the University for Development Studies (UDS) recently hosted an event aimed at formalizing private hostels providing accommodation facilities to students. The event took place on Saturday 13, September, 2025 at the Faculty of Law Auditorium in the Silver Jubilee building on Nyankpala campus. The gathering brought together key stakeholders including the Dean of Students, the Vice Dean of Students, hostel owners, caretakers, student leaders and campus security.

Delivering the welcome address,  Prof. Sanatu Mustapha Alidu, Vice Dean of Students, set the tone for discussions on improving standards and relationships between private hostel owners and student tenants. She took the opportunity to commend private hostel owners for their support in providing shelter for students on the Nyankapla Campus. She reiterated the need for them to build a strong bond with the university to further foster quality delivery of services to students.

The Dean of Students, who doubled as the Guest of Honour at the event, Dr. Umar Haruna took turn to emphasize on the need for the formalization of private hotels echoing that it is time to draw a roadmap to ending problems that exist between hostel owners and their student tenants. Dr. Umar also responded to questions from the participants during the engagement. He assured them of his support for the formalization of private hostels.

The Hall Tutor of the Non-Residential Students at the Nyankpala Campus, Dr. Abdul-Basit Tampuli Abukari led the process of formalization of the private hostels by reviewing a draft unified rent agreement, clearance form and raising issues relating to hostel agents. He called on all private hostel owners to first of all register with the university and follow agreed guidelines to ensure security of the students and their properties. He further resolved to hold similar engagement with hostel agents to streamline their activities as they play a key roles between the students and the hostel owners.

On his part, Mr. Enoch Bonfo Nkwantabisa, the Head of Security at the Nyankpala Campus assured stakeholders of his resolve to enhance safety and security across the campus.

The meeting discussed crucial issues including documentations, rent amounts, security, provisions of portable water, sanitation and activities of middlemen, otherwise, known as the agents. The engagement underscored the university's effort to foster better living conditions for its non-residential students and also promote healthy interactions between students and private hostel providers on the Nyankpala Campus.

Story by:
Hamdan W. Amadu
UDS Media