Financing and Delivery of High-Quality Student Housing in Nigeria’s Federal Universities: Evidence from Southwestern Nigeria

Abstract

This study focused on students’ housing financing in Nigeria. Historically, 
student housing in Nigerian tertiary institutions has been supported mainly by 
government funding. However, increasing student enrolment has placed 
significant pressure on this system as enrolment rate now exceeds the existing 
student housing capacity. This study aims to examine the available student 
housing stock, its deficit and the existing financial plan. Information was 
obtained through secondary sources and literature review, with narrative 
review used to interpret the collected information. Three universities: 
University of Ibadan (UI), Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) and 
University of Lagos (UNILAG) – were selected for the review. Findings show 
that only 30.5% of undergraduates were accommodated at the sampled 
universities, while 69.5% were not accommodated in the universities’ on
campus hostels. In addition, the universities lacked a detailed and structured 
financial plan to increase student housing capacity. Factors contributing to 
these results include limited funding, overcrowding, managerial bureaucracy 
and students’ actions. The paper concluded that the government and university 
management should create an enable environment for private investors to 
construct more on-campus accommodations to end students’ housing deficit.