When Adesuwa, a second-year student at Obafemi Awolowo University, returned to her hostel after a long day of lectures, she was greeted by an all-too-familiar scene: overcrowded rooms, leaking roofs, and the pervasive smell of dampness.
Despite paying a significant portion of her meager allowance for accommodation, she shares a small room with seven other students. Adesuwa’s story is not unique but rather a common reality for many Nigerian university students facing an accommodation crisis that is affecting both their health and academic performance.
Across Nigerian universities, student hostels are in a dire state, plagued by severe overcrowding and substandard living conditions.
These problems stem from a chronic underinvestment in university infrastructure, with facilities often dating back to the 1960s and 1970s, built to accommodate far fewer students than are currently enrolled.
As student populations have ballooned, the capacity of university hostels has not kept pace, leading to a situation where it is not uncommon to find up to eight students crammed into a room meant for two or three.
In some cases, students sleep in shifts or on mattresses laid out in corridors due to the lack of sufficient bed spaces. This overcrowding is exacerbated by poor maintenance, with many hostels lacking basic amenities such as running water, electricity, and functioning sanitation facilities.
For instance, at the University of Lagos, students have reported having to use buckets to fetch water from distant sources because the hostel’s plumbing system has long been dysfunctional.
The health implications of these living conditions are severe. Overcrowding facilitates the rapid spread of infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, and skin infections.
The lack of proper sanitation and clean water contributes to gastrointestinal illnesses and other waterborne diseases. Additionally, the mental health of students suffers in such environments, with many reporting increased stress, anxiety, and depression due to the constant strain of living in uncomfortable and unhygienic conditions.
Medical professionals have raised alarms about the long-term health consequences for students living in these hostels. The lack of proper ventilation and hygiene in these hostels creates a breeding ground for bacteria and viruses.
Beyond the immediate health risks, poor living conditions significantly impact students’ academic performance. The overcrowded and noisy environments make it difficult for students to concentrate on their studies or get sufficient rest.
Sleep deprivation is common, with students struggling to cope with the physical and mental demands of their academic workload.
Research has shown that students living in substandard housing conditions are more likely to experience academic difficulties. A study conducted at Obafemi Awolowo University revealed that students who lived off-campus in private accommodations performed better academically than those residing in on-campus hostels.
The study attributed this disparity to the better living conditions and quieter study environments available to off-campus students.
Moreover, the time and energy spent dealing with accommodation issues detract from students’ academic focus. Students often have to juggle their studies with finding alternative places to sleep, dealing with frequent power outages, and battling health issues arising from their living conditions.
This constant struggle leaves little room for academic pursuits, leading to poor performance and high dropout rates.
Addressing the student accommodation crisis in Nigerian universities requires urgent and comprehensive action.
Universities, in collaboration with the government and private sector, need to invest in expansion and proper renovation of students’ hostels. There is a need for modern, well-maintained accommodation facilities that can adequately meet the needs of the growing student population.
Additionally, policies that encourage the development of affordable off-campus housing options can help alleviate the pressure on university hostels.
Improving student accommodation also means addressing the systemic issues of poor maintenance and management. Universities must implement regular maintenance schedules and ensure that hostel facilities are kept in good working condition.
This includes reliable water and electricity supply, proper waste management, and adequate security.
The student accommodation crisis in Nigerian universities is a pressing issue that affects the health, well-being, and academic success of students. By addressing these challenges head-on, Nigerian universities can create a conducive environment for learning and personal development, ultimately contributing to the nation’s growth and development.
