UNILAG Sports Director Clarifies Access Rules Amidst Complaints

By Oluwatoyin Adewale, Badmus Damilola, Chidubem Nwachukwu, and Nosiru Misturah

The Director of Sports, University of Lagos (UNILAG), Felix Akeju, has clarified the procedures guiding the use of the institution’s sports centre, following complaints by students over restricted access and event clashes.

During an interview with UNILAG Sun, Akeju said that the sports centre was established primarily for students and university-related sporting activities, adding that students are given priority when due process is followed. 

“The sports centre was established purposely for students,”  he said.

“There is no way any group of students would want to make use of this place for sporting activities and be denied access, provided proper procedure is followed.”

According to Akeju, students seeking to use any sports facility must submit a formal request through their Head of Department (HOD) and Dean, with final verification and recommendation coming from the Dean of Students Affairs (DSA).

He noted that all students’ sports activities must be endorsed by the DSA before approval is granted by the sports centre management, adding that most complaints arise when requests are submitted late or when facilities have already been booked by external users who completed payment earlier.

Addressing concerns over clashes between students’ training sessions and external events, Akeju said the sports centre usually adopts a conflict-resolution approach rather than outright denial.

“In some cases, we call all parties involved and resolve it,” he said. 

“One group can use the facility for a shorter time while another takes the remaining hours.” 

While acknowledging that clashes may still occur, he maintained that most issues stem from poor communication and failure to adhere to established procedures.