The management of the University of Calabar (UniCal) has evicted some staff members from the institution’s residential quarters to accommodate junior staff and address unethical practices within the system.
The university’s spokesperson, Mr. Eyo Effiong, confirmed the development while speaking with journalists in Calabar on Tuesday.
Effiong said the university’s Governing Council directed certain staff to vacate the Boys’ Quarters (BQs) after an investigation revealed that some occupants had rented them out to students and outsiders.
“Letters were issued notifying them that the ownership of the quarters has been revoked, and occupants were asked to vacate on or before April 30, 2025,” Effiong said.
He disclosed that findings showed some staff collected between ₦80,000 and ₦350,000 annually from students and outsiders while paying the university far less.
Describing the practice as unethical and embarrassing to the institution, Effiong added that security risks had also been linked to some of the unauthorized occupants.
According to him, the reclaimed apartments will be reallocated directly to junior staff through the university’s housing department to ensure accountability and proper rent deductions.
“This policy affects all senior staff who misused the facility, not just professors. Those with genuine grievances can approach the Governing Council, which approved the decision,” he said.
However, the eviction exercise has sparked protests among some affected staff, who accused the university management of abuse of power and inhumane treatment.
One of the affected senior staff, who spoke on condition of anonymity, alleged that the university’s security personnel and the Security and Technical (SAT) Services Department forcefully entered some of the quarters and threw out the occupants’ belongings, including those of staff who were away on sabbatical or official duties.
“If I’m paying for the main house, I should have the right to use the BQ for my dependents, house helps, or relations.
Some of our colleagues returned to meet their doors broken and personal items thrown outside. This is not acceptable in a university environment,” the source said.
Another senior staff, Mr. Jacob Emmanuel, described the eviction as high-handed and demeaning, questioning the rationale behind the decision.
“Is the management saying our house helps should now sleep in our bedrooms because the BQs have been seized?” he asked, warning that the situation could lead to a breakdown of law and order if not properly managed.
