Evaluation of Facilities in Selected Universities’ Undergraduate Student Hostels in Osun State Towards Designing for Oduduwa University, Ipetumodu, Nigeria

Abstract

The provision of adequate and functional undergraduate student hostel facilities is essential for supporting students’ comfort, safety, academic activities, and overall well-being. However, increasing student population, overcrowding, inadequate support facilities, poor utility services, and varying levels of infrastructure quality continue to affect the effectiveness of university hostels in Nigeria. Therefore, this study evaluated facilities in undergraduate student hostels in selected universities in Osun State, Nigeria, with a view to generating design recommendations for a student-centred undergraduate hostel at Oduduwa University, Ipetumodu. The study adopted a mixed-method research approach using questionnaire survey, direct observation, and case study analysis. A total of 354 questionnaires were administered to undergraduate students in selected hostels across four universities in Osun State, comprising Obafemi Awolowo University, Osun State University, Adeleke University, and Fountain University. Data collected covered respondents’ background characteristics, physical condition of hostel buildings, availability of indoor and outdoor facilities, accommodation challenges, and users’ satisfaction with existing hostel facilities. Descriptive statistics, including frequency counts, percentages, weighted values, and mean weighted values, were employed in analysing the data. The findings revealed that overcrowding remains a significant concern, with 60.4% of respondents occupying rooms with five persons and above. In terms of physical condition, long-span aluminium roofing sheets (62.7%), tiled floors (67.2%), and painted wall finishes (85.9%) were the predominant materials. Common rooms (74.0%) and toilets (72.3%) were the most available indoor facilities, while kitchen (44.1%), laundry (45.8%), and visitor waiting areas (37.9%) were less available. Inadequate water supply (52.8%) emerged as the most significant challenge, followed by epileptic power supply (40.7%) and inadequate room space (34.5%). The findings further revealed varying levels of satisfaction, with basic communal and sanitary facilities generally receiving more favourable responses than technological, recreational, and complementary facilities. The study concludes that existing undergraduate hostels in Osun State require improvements in facility provision, environmental quality, utility services, space standards, and user-centred planning. The findings provide evidence-based design considerations for the proposed undergraduate hostel at Oduduwa University, Ipetumodu.