SPECIAL REPORTS: Rising House Agent Charges Spark Concern Among OSPOLY Students, Calls For Intervention
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| Iree Hostels. Photo Source: Olans Photography. |
Concerns are growing over incessant outrageous House Agent charges often called (Caretakers), around Osun State Polytechnic (OSPOLY), Iree, as students continue to share troubling experiences about accommodation costs within the host community.
Upon this situation, NEB conducted several interviews and made some observations. However, during an interview Ayomide, an ND 1 student, she expressed dissatisfaction with the housing process, describing it as unfair and financially draining.
According to her, she paid a total of ₦75,000 to secure an off-campus apartment, believing the entire amount was for rent.
Meanwhile, she later discovered that only ₦60,000 was paid to the landlord, while ₦15,000 went to the house agent as an agency fee. She was also asked to pay an additional ₦3,000 for electricity.
“I don’t like the way things are being done,” Ayomide said. I wasn’t told clearly what each payment was for. I just kept paying because I needed a place to stay," she explained.
Her experience reflects a growing pattern among students, especially freshers, who often lack proper information about accommodation procedures and feel pressured to comply with multiple charges for fear of losing housing opportunities.
Speaking on the issue, Afeez Ogungbemi, a returning student, shared a similar experience. He revealed that when he was newly admitted last year, he paid ₦65,000 for accommodation. On returning to renew his stay this session, the same apartment now costs ₦85,000.
“This continuous increase is unfair and deeply concerning. Students are already struggling with school fees, transportation, and daily living expenses," Afeez said.
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| Receipts of house rent Afeez sent to Agent. |
"I strongly believe this is the time for the school management, student representatives, and the Students’ Union Government (SUG) to rise and speak with one voice against house agent extortion in the Iree community. Students deserve affordable, transparent, and fair accommodation, not exploitation. Enough is enough," Afeez emphasized.
More complaints have also emerged through NEB website. Adeola, a student who reacted to the issue on a previous story about this same issue, said she has been trying to get a single room but found that even the so-called “manageable” ones now go for about ₦150,000.
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| Screenshot of OSPOLY student expressing her concerns. |
According to her, self-contained apartments cost above ₦300,000, while agents demand almost ₦50,000 as additional charges. She also lamented the practice where students are made to pay ₦5,000 repeatedly before agents agree to show them houses which is known as "Inspection Fees".
“Agents will not even show you good houses at first. You keep paying ₦5,000 each time just to see houses. Imagine how much you will spend before getting a decent place. This is not fair, and the school committee should look into it," she wrote.
Several other students also complained that accommodation fees are rarely explained in detail, with no proper breakdown or receipts provided. This lack of transparency, they say, has made students vulnerable to exploitation, especially during resumption periods when demand for housing is high.
Students argued that while house agents have a role in connecting landlords with tenants, the charges imposed must be reasonable, transparent, and properly regulated. Excessive agency fees and unplanned levies, such as electricity payments, continue to place additional financial strain on students.
The issue has become a major concern among students living in Iree, including both freshers and staylites. As a result, calls are being made to the school management, the Students’ Union Government, and the Association of House Rent Agents to urgently look into the situation and address the growing complaints.
Stakeholders believe that proper intervention will promote fairness, accountability, and awareness within the campus housing system.
This is the best moment for Students Unions and Associations on campus to make students welfarism a concern as they normally chant and students' comfortability a possible mission.
As more students continue to speak up, it is hoped that sustained dialogue and interviews will lead to reforms that protect students from exploitation and restore fairness to accommodation processes around OSPOLY, Iree.
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