UNILAG confirms water contamination in female hall

The University of Lagos (UNILAG) has confirmed contamination in water samples collected from Moremi Hall, a female hostel, and has advised members of the university community to boil all water for drinking and cooking pending the completion of ongoing laboratory tests in other halls of residence.

The university made this known in an update issued on Thursday by Adejoke Alaga-Ibraheem, its head of communication Unit, following earlier reports of suspected water contamination linked to cases of vomiting and diarrhoea among students.

According to the statement, preliminary laboratory results verified contamination in samples taken from Moremi Hall, while investigations and testing of water samples from other hostels are still in progress.

The management said it had activated immediate precautionary and remedial measures to contain the situation and prevent any further health risks within the university community.

It also attributed heightened concerns partly to the institution’s wetland location and the ongoing rainy season, which may have contributed to water quality challenges.

Students and staff were advised to restrict the use of piped water to washing and sanitation purposes, while water for drinking, cooking, and other domestic use must be boiled until further notice.

The statement further urged any student experiencing symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhoea, or related health issues to report promptly to the University Medical Centre for evaluation and treatment.

UNILAG appealed for calm and urged the university community to rely strictly on official communication channels, warning against the spread of unverified information capable of causing panic.

Earlier, the University of Lagos Students’ Union had stated that it was engaging relevant authorities and monitoring the situation, noting that no definitive medical link had yet been established between reported illnesses and the hostel water supply.