This study examined environmental challenges encountered by students residing in the hostels of Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, with a specific focus on sanitation, overcrowding, and viable improvement strategies. A cross-sectional survey design was employed, and data were collected using a validated questionnaire from a stratified random sample of 341 students drawn from a population of 4,700 hostel residents. Results indicated that students face severe sanitation deficiencies, including inadequate toilet facilities, erratic water supply, and inefficient waste disposal, all of which are exacerbated by acute overcrowding. A significant gender disparity was observed, with female students consistently reporting higher levels of dissatisfaction across all challenges. The most supported mitigation strategies included the strict enforcement of official occupancy limits, the development of new hostels through Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), and the provision of adequate and secure laundry facilities. The study concludes that the hostel environment at RSU is critically substandard and adversely affects student welfare. It is recommended that the university administration adopt a multi-faceted approach, prioritizing infrastructural investment, stringent policy enforcement, and inclusive governance to create a conducive living and learning environment.
Keywords: Rivers State University, hostile environment, overcrowding, sanitation challenges, student welfare
