The management of the University of Calabar (UniCal) has evicted several staff members from the institution’s residential quarters as part of efforts to allocate space to junior staff and curb unethical practices within the system.
The university’s spokesperson, Eyo Effiong, disclosed this to journalists in Calabar on Tuesday, explaining that the decision followed directives from the Governing Council after it was discovered that some staff had rented out their Boys’ Quarters (BQs) to students and outsiders.
“Letters were issued notifying the affected staff that the ownership of the quarters had been revoked, and they were asked to vacate on or before April 30, 2025,” Effiong stated.
According to him, investigations revealed that some staff were collecting between ₦80,000 and ₦350,000 annually from tenants while remitting far less to the university. He described the practice as unethical, exploitative, and damaging to the university’s image, adding that some of the occupants also posed potential security risks.
Effiong explained that the reclaimed quarters would be reallocated to junior staff through the housing department to ensure transparency and proper rent deductions.
“This policy applies to all senior staff who abused the facility, not just professors. Anyone with genuine concerns can approach the Governing Council, which approved the decision,” he clarified.
However, the move has sparked backlash from some senior staff, who accused the management of abuse of power and high-handedness.
One affected staff member, who spoke anonymously, alleged that security personnel and members of the Security and Technical Services Department forcibly broke into quarters, throwing out personal belongings—even those of staff away on sabbatical or official duty.
“If I’m paying for the main house, I should have the right to use the BQ for my dependents or house-helps. Some colleagues returned to find their doors broken and belongings scattered. This is unacceptable in a university environment,” he said.
Another senior staff member, Jacob Emmanuel, described the eviction as demeaning and disrespectful to senior academics, questioning whether the management expected their domestic staff to now share rooms with them.
He warned that if the issue is not properly managed, it could trigger unrest and disrupt harmony within the university community.
