In this report, HENRY TYOHEMBA, EDICHA EMMANUEL OMIKA, and MARYAM MUHAMMAD explore how shortages and decaying hostel facilities in public or private institutions are driving students to risky off-campus shelters, thus crippling their study life.
Across Nigeria’s tertiary institutions, the struggle for adequate student accommodation continues to mount despite years of government interventions.
On several campuses, LEADERSHIP gathered that the demand for hostels far exceeds the available supply, leaving thousands of undergraduates to scramble for space or resort to expensive, insecure off-campus shelters.
Rising student populations, ageing facilities, and the slow pace of infrastructure expansion have compounded the crisis, according to our investigation.
For those fortunate to secure on-campus accommodation, congested rooms, broken facilities, erratic power supply, and poor sanitation have become routine frustrations.
For others, the risks are higher unregulated off-campus hostels expose them to exploitation, insecurity, and long commutes that affect learning and wellbeing.
While federal and state governments, as well as private universities, have pledged to tackle the problem, students across campuses told LEADERSHIP that the situation remains dire.
The students lamented discomfort, stress, and growing frustration over the state of student housing in Nigerian institutions.
Off-campus life is hard-Kana, Nasarawa State Varsity, Keffi
At Nasarawa State University, Hauwa Shau’aibu Kana faces similar challenges. She lamented how shortage of campus hostels forces her to live far from school, where the risks are higher.
“There are not enough bed spaces, so it’s hard to even get accommodation in the first place. Off-campus houses are more expensive, and it’s not easy. I live a bit far, so when I have early lectures, it’s hard to meet up.”
She worries about safety, too. “You hear of stealing and insecurity outside campus, but you hardly have such problems inside. The school is more secure.
“The school needs to build more hostels so that every student can get one. It will reduce insecurity and help us attend lectures on time and perform better academically,” she appealed.
8 of us share 4 bunks, some sleep on the floor-Patrick
At Bingham University, Victor Patrick, a student of Mass Communication, Bingham University, said that despite new hostels being built, the problem persists.
“We are a lot, and the amount of space in each room is not enough. Even though the school built 20 new hostels this semester, they’re still not enough,” he said.
“In my room, we are eight students with only four bunks. Recently, they added one more bunk, but two guys still sleep on the floor.”
He said the overcrowded conditions have ripple effects on students’ health and studies. “It is not really healthy because not everyone does their part.
“The room is noisy, hot, and stuffy. There’s not always light, and it’s hard to read properly in that environment,” he lamented.”
Victor explained that students often go to classrooms to study since reading in the hostel is nearly impossible. “We go to the main campus to read, but even there, the classes are crowded. It’s hard to find peace and quiet,” he said.
According to him, if the school wants to admit more students, it should expand hostels and improve facilities.
“Rooms should not have more than seven students, and there should be better ventilation. We need proper light, more windows, and basic comfort.”
High rent, poor water supply make life unbearable-Adams
For Toyeebah Yabodey Adams, 200 level student, Confluence varsity, Osara who lives off-campus, the problem is economic as much as infrastructural.
Toyeebah described how students face inflated rents and unreliable water sources in private hostels.
“The challenges we face are mostly the high rate of rent and poor water resources. In addition to school fees, the accommodation and feeding costs are very high for my parents. It’s not easy for me as a student.”
The student said that affordable, university-managed hostels would ease the burden. “If the school could build more hostels at affordable prices and make water resources available, it would really help us a long way.”
We are 6 in a room, it’s overcrowded but at least safe-Mufidat
For Mufidat, a 400 level student of Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, life inside the university hostel is both a privilege and a daily battle for comfort.
She stays on campus, but the experience, she admits, is far from ideal.
“The main challenge is the limited space in the hostel. We are six sharing a room and it can get really crowded at time.
“Also, the maintenance of facilities is slow. If there’s an issue with the bathroom or electricity, it takes time to get fixed, or we end up fixing it with our money.”
Despite the discomfort, Mufidat considers herself lucky to enjoy some level of security and safety within campus walls.
“The limited space can be distracting, especially when I’m trying to study and my roommates are chatting, but we have learnt to adapt. The security in the hostel is really tight, so I feel safe and that’s a big plus.”
She called for establishment of more more hostels and quicker responses to maintenance issues.
“The school should increase the number of hostels or upgrade the existing ones. Any report on electricity or water issues should be treated as an emergency,” she stressed.
Khadija Alhassan, Baze University, Abuja calls proactive maintenance systems
Khadija has called for more proactive maintenance systems and partnerships to improve services.
“The school should delegate supervision and maintenance teams, and encourage private partnerships for better student accommodation.
“Internal power and water supply systems should be prioritised,” she advised.
She also lamented erratic power and water supply, even in hostels where students pay premium rates.
“You wake up worried about whether you will even get water to bathe or cook.”
High rent, insecurity make studying harder-Chidiebube
Emmanuel Ejike Chidiebube, Department of Audiology, Federal University, Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State, who stays off-campus said life is financially draining and risky.
He described how students are forced into insecure and expensive lodgings far from the university because of shortage of hostels.
“The cost of accommodation is really high considering the economy. Rents have skyrocketed while students’ financial support remains limited.
“Most houses are far and not secure, many are in isolated or poorly lit areas, with frequent theft and harassment.
“We share cramped rooms or cut back on essentials like food and textbooks. I spend hours commuting daily, and by the time I get to class, I’m already exhausted,” he noted.
Emmanuel urged universities to embrace partnerships with private developers and government agencies.
“The university should build affordable hostels with subsidised rates for low-income students, expand shuttle services, and improve security in student areas. Rent control policies would also help ease the burden,” he said.
