Faces of the Invisible Workers Who Keep UNILAG Alive

By  Ngozi Okereke, Jacinta Emeka, and Success Essien

Every morning at the University of Lagos, there is a quiet period when the campus belongs almost entirely to the workers. 

Long before the first 8:00 AM lecture begins, the cleaners, gardeners, and security guards are already deep into their routines. While students are still waking up in the hostels, these individuals are ensuring that the halls are swept, the lawns are trimmed, and the gates are secure.

This work forms the background of campus life, often occurring so early or so quietly that it is easy to overlook. Understanding the mechanics of the university requires looking at the reality of this daily labour through the words of the people who perform it.

Security on campus is a twenty-four-hour operation. To maintain order, personnel operate on a three-shift system: a morning shift from 7:00 AM to 2:00 PM, an afternoon shift from 2:00 PM to 9:00 PM, and a night shift from 9:00 PM to 7:00 AM.

One security man explained that he finds a sense of place within the university environment. “I enjoy working here even though it is not a big man’s job,” he says. He notes that the daily interaction with students is often the most positive part of the role. “Students are very supportive. Sometimes they bring gifts for us or give us tips.”

However, the job is not without its physical challenges. He suggests that the university could provide more practical infrastructure for those stationed at the campus entrances, specifically mentioning a need for cover. He says he would like the school authorities to “put a shade under the overhead bridge so that when the sun heats, it won’t touch them so much.”

The cab drivers are another constant presence in the campus ecosystem. While they do not work in shifts, they are entitled to one day off every week. Beyond transportation, these drivers often serve as an unofficial lost-and-found service for the university. “Students are appreciative. Sometimes, if they forget something, they always go to the security office to pick it up because the driver will leave it there,” one driver explains.

Despite their constant movement across the university, the drivers struggle with a lack of basic facilities near their stations. Currently, if a driver needs to use a restroom or take a bath, they often have to travel from the school gate to the Centre for Information Technology and Systems (CITS). The driver suggests a simple logistical fix: “I would like it if the school authorities could do toilets in the park, even if they would pay to use them.”

The cleanliness of Akoka is maintained by staff who work six days a week. The road sweepers begin their tasks in the early hours and usually sign out by 12:00 PM, while those assigned to the halls work until 4:00 PM to ensure the buildings are ready for the following day.

For many, the job is a practical necessity for family survival. One road sweeper shared her honest perspective on the labour. “I do not enjoy being a cleaner, but it is better than sitting at home. And I also have children to take care of,” she said. While the work is demanding, she noted that the environment is generally respectful. “Some students are appreciative and school authorities,” she added.

Across these different units, the sentiment remains the same: these workers are not just figures in the background. They are individuals with specific routines, motivations, and challenges. Their work ensures that the university remains functional for the thousands of people who use its facilities every day.

As academic activities proceed, these workers remain at their posts. While their names may not appear on the official programs, their labour is visible in every clean classroom and every safe walkway. They are the people who keep the campus running, providing the essential services that allow the rest of the university to focus on its primary goal of education.