INFLUENCE OF AVAILABILITY AND SERVICEABILITY OF STUDENT ACCOMODATION FACILITIES ON STUDENT PERFORMANCE IN FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, MINNA

Abstract

Student accommodation facilities are provided by institutions of higher learning in order to enhance the academic experience of the students. Accommodation facilities provide the basis for quality tertiary education. Extant studies affirmed that adequacy of hostel facilities affect the academic performance of students residing in hostel; although, most Nigerian tertiary institutions are characterized by inadequate hostel facilities. The study was conducted to assess the effect of availability and serviceability of hostel facilities on students’ academic performance at the federal University of Technology Minna, Gidan Kwano campus. The total population of students residing in the hostels as at 2018/2019 session was 1,930; systematic and convenient random sampling technique were used in selecting 219 students as the sample size for the study. Online survey was employed in administering questionnaire to the sampled students. The study found that 66.9% of the hostel facilities are available and serviceable while 32.9% are unavailable and unserviceable. Although, result of the study revealed that facilities such as room, sport centres, internet service, air condition and study chair/table are unavailable and unserviceable in the hostel, students have continued to have good performance. The result further showed that only 26% of sampled students were below third-class division, while 162 students are in the category of second-class lower and above. The study recommends that the institution should ensure that adequate student accommodation facilities are provided in serviceable conditions to further enhance student learning and good performance.