A condition Survey of On-campus Students' Hostel Blocks in a Nigerian University

Abstract

Ensuring that students‘ hostels are in best functional condition supports learning activities. Knowledge of the physical condition of hostel facilities is a key performance indicator of the maintenance strategies put in place by the building management department of the institution. This paper presents the current condition of on-campus students‘ hostel blocks in a typical public university in Nigeria. It is an aspect of ongoing research on the maintenance management of on-campus hostels at Nigerian universities. Data was generated through observations of the interior structural conditions of the students‘ rooms. Most (over 80%) of the students‘ bedroom in the hostels have major defects on the interior facades which are unfavourable for living and learning, a prime objective of providing and maintaining students‘ hostels on campus. The findings of the study revealed the deteriorated, unhealthy and unsafe condition of the male hostels. The study suggests a research into the maintenance management strategies of the existing on-campus hostels in the university, with an aim of identifying the factors inhibiting effective maintenance of the building that will align with the primary objective of which the providing the hostels on campus.