Christmas In ABH: Stay Back Or Travel Home?

In many contemporary Nigerian societies, Christmas is celebrated with carol services, new outfits and hairstyles, outings, family reunions, and feasts, among other activities. Beyond being a landmark event in the Christian faith, Christmas holds a special place on the calendar, as it comes at the end of the year, a period when people, regardless of religion, take a break from their daily life routines, as the celebrations often stretch into the new year.

In the past, children showed excitement towards Christmas because of the various delicacies, most especially rice. Today, the celebration has evolved, with various local dishes coming into the picture. However, the Nigerian jollof rice remains the signature of the season. Despite the country’s harsh economic conditions, people still find ways to celebrate Christmas.

Amidst these festivities are the students of Alexander Brown Hall (ABH), a hostel housing students from the Departments of Dental Surgery, Medicine and Surgery, Physiotherapy, and Biomedical Laboratory Science. These are students who witness the beginning and end of life daily through their training. Their position within the healthcare education sector often makes it difficult to fully enjoy festive breaks, as they continue to juggle ward rounds, calls, clinics and anticipate pending end-of-posting tests.

Last year, the College of Medicine released a memorandum mandating that all students are to vacate their rooms from December 20, 2024, to January 2, 2025, in light of the yearly hostel fumigation exercise. This year though, only December 24 and 25, 2025, and January 1, 2026, were declared public holidays. With this in mind, we asked ten residents of ABH how they intend to spend their Christmas this year, and here are their responses.

Moses, a 400-level MBBS student, sadly admitted that he will be spending Christmas in school. He explained that this isn't his first time, as he has done that before in  2022 after resuming back to school from the protracted eight-month ASUU strike.

Moses also added that Christmas in school is never the same as that at home, as he can't recreate the vibes at home here. He will try by hanging out with friends, engaging in a lot of fun-filled activities, and most especially making delicious delicacies.

For Christinah, a 400-level BDS student, the story is similar. "I’m not planning to go home, so I’ll be spending Christmas in my room at ABH", she said. However, she admitted to not having solid plans but remains optimistic about finding ways to make it fun.

Keeping things low-key, Olumide, a 500 Level BDS student, said that he will be visiting his aunt and will probably hang out with some friends to have some fun.

Shalom, a 600-level MBBS student, who will be writing her end-of-posting test next week, won't let anything get in the way of enjoying this festive season. "With my Family. Chicken in one hand, book in the other one," she said.

In spite of the tight academic schedule, Tobi, a final year BMLS student, Patrick, a 600 level BDS student, and Okiki, a 400 level physiotherapy student, revealed that they will be spending Christmas at home with family and friends.

Tobi also added that since most of the classes have finished exams, the preclinical classes will go home for the holidays, including the final year students who are currently working on their research thesis.

Speaking with mixed feelings because of her pending examinations after the Christmas break, Rashidat, a 400-level physiotherapy student, said, "I will be spending it at home with my family, where there is love".

Adedolapo, a 500-level MBBS student, also mentioned that her Christmas was going to be an eventful one. "I will be going out for brunch with my friend, then attending a birthday party on Christmas Day, as well as a Christmas party, the next day."

"I'll be travelling to Lagos to celebrate with a close Christian family friend. I also plan to do some light reading in preparation for my test on the 9th of January," Bilal, a 400-level BDS student said. He also emphasized that this period is an opportunity for him to reflect on what went wrong this year and how he can make the most of the year ahead.

Be it chicken in one hand and a textbook in the other hand, or moments of quietude within the hostel, or hearty celebrations with family and friends, Christmas in ABH wears a myriad of faces. These faces shaped by finance, academic requirements, or even the long, tiring journey home, among other reasons. For one reason or another, ABH becomes home, and for others, home remains home. 

Nevertheless, residents share similar hopes of rest, recreation, and renewal for the new academic year ahead.


Abiona Michelle