The President of the Communication and Information Sciences Students’ Association (CISSA), Sanni Nurudeen also known as D’Light, has stated that the ongoing renovation across the Faculty of Communication and Information Sciences, University of Ilorin, is part of the institution’s efforts to create a more conducive learning environment for both students and staff.

Speaking recently in an interview, the president explained that the renovations were initiated by the university management as an intervention project as he noted that similar upgrades had already taken place in other faculties, including Law, Social Sciences and Management Sciences.

According to him, the renovation began with the upgrade of toilet facilities, a long-standing request from students. He noted that many students previously lacked access to clean and functioning restrooms, a situation that forced them to leave the faculty during lectures.

He revealed that over 10 toilets have been renovated within the faculty. Staff offices and lecture rooms are being repainted and refurbished, with Lecture Rooms 3 and 5 among those nearing completion. About 40 office doors are being replaced. Some sections of the faculty have been screeded and repainted, including areas where new roofing sheets were installed. Although not part of the initial renovation plan, the faculty has undergone multiple fumigation exercises. “These upgrades are for all stakeholders — lecturers, non-teaching staff, and especially students, who form the largest part of the faculty community,” he said.

The CISSA president emphasized that responsible use of the new facilities will determine whether the faculty receives additional infrastructure in the future. He noted that the faculty management has commended students for improved maintenance culture so far, but urged the students to remain consistent.

He added that CIS has long needed a new lecture hall due to increasing student numbers. Many classes now exceed the capacity of available rooms, with some students forced to sit outside or borrow chairs from laboratories.

“Our commitment in maintaining what we have now will determine how soon we can get more,” he said.

To encourage proper maintenance, He added that CISSA has taken several steps including provision of dustbins which have been placed in all lecture rooms and around the faculty. A CISSA Task Force Committee, made up of student volunteers, will monitor classrooms particularly during night classes to ensure facilities are properly used. The association also plans to hold a town-hall meeting with students to reinforce collective responsibility. The task force will also help report issues such as lack of water in toilets, enabling faster intervention from management.

He explained that access to water remains a major challenge due to incomplete plumbing connections to some toilets. Temporary water solutions, previously managed through hoses from nearby tanks, have been paused due to regulation changes but are expected to resume once renovation is fully completed.

The President acknowledged typical construction challenges, such as scattered building materials and temporary disruptions. He also noted isolated issues during accreditation exercises where some students left lecture areas untidy, prompting threats to restrict night classes.

In his closing remarks, the CISSA president urged students to protect the facilities they had long demanded.

“For years, we lacked basic amenities. Now that we have toilets, better lecture rooms and improved environments, it is our responsibility to use them properly. The management recognizes our efforts. If we continue this way, we will receive even more – including, hopefully, a new lecture hall soon”, he said.