Hostel Facility Quality, Essential Services and Student Residential Satisfaction in Nigerian Public Universities: Evidence from TETFund (Published)
Student accommodation is an important component of the University built environment because the quality of residential facilities influences students’ comfort, safety, well-being, and capacity to participate effectively in academic life. In Nigeria, substantial public investment has been directed towards tertiary-education infrastructure through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), yet evidence concerning whether physical infrastructure provision translates into satisfactory residential experiences remains limited. This study evaluates the relationship between hostel facility quality, essential-service provision, and student residential satisfaction in TETFund-supported hostels at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Yelwa Campus, Nigeria. A quantitative cross-sectional survey design was adopted. Structured questionnaires were administered to hostel users, with 154 returned and 134 valid responses retained for analysis. Descriptive statistics, reliability analysis, and correlation analysis were undertaken using SPSS. The results indicate that the number of completed TETFund-supported hostel buildings recorded the highest availability rating (Mean = 4.92, SD = 0.27), followed by total bed capacity (Mean = 4.68, SD = 0.47) and occupancy-related provision (Mean = 4.60, SD = 0.49). Physical residential attributes were also highly rated, particularly room size and layout and ventilation/lighting (both Mean = 4.84). In contrast, service-related dimensions were considerably weaker, including water supply (Mean = 3.00), internet/Wi-Fi availability (Mean = 2.49), and toilet and bathroom maintenance (Mean = 2.42). Overcrowding (Mean = 4.59), inadequate space per student (Mean = 4.51) and insufficient or damaged furniture (Mean = 4.51) were the most prominent reported challenges. The study also reports a positive association between essential-service quality and student satisfaction (R = 0.465, p < 0.01). The findings demonstrate a critical distinction between infrastructure provision and infrastructure performance: construction investment can improve the physical accommodation stock, but sustained residential satisfaction depends on reliable utilities, sanitation, maintenance, connectivity, and responsive facility management. The study contributes a post-occupancy perspective to the assessment of public university infrastructure investment in a developing-country context and provides implications for lifecycle facility management and future TETFund-supported hostel development.
Keywords: Residential Satisfaction, TETFund, essential services, hostel facility quality, student accommodation
RESIDENTIAL USER SATISFACTION OF REAL ESTATE HOUSING IN GHANA (Published)
Housing is considered as the largest consumption and investment item of a person’s lifetime and as result housing satisfaction is a key component of their quality. Like all cities developing countries Accra is faced with a huge lack of adequate shelter for her people. This has brought in its trail the upsurge of real estate development in Accra with lack of effective controls in addressing the needs of the occupants. This has potentially resulted in several complains of substandard housing, poor planning and construction and poor management services. The objective of the research was to examine the determinants of residential satisfaction and to investigate the level of satisfaction/dissatisfaction of the residents in these gated communities in terms of the building features, the neighbourhood and the management practices. Qualitative and quantitative methods were used in the gathering and analysis of data from two selected locations in Accra. Structured questionnaire was used to gather the data from the residents, with the 5-point Likert scale of measurement .Stratified random sampling was used to select sample for the estates and questionnaire. Again a Habitability Index formula was used in assessing the satisfaction of residents. The study revealed that respondent’s satisfaction levels were generally high, with varied dissatisfaction levels in; water supply, neighbourhood facilities, sanitation and security. It thus recommends amongst others that: the built environment professionals should collaborate with the metropolitan authorities in exerting strict but adaptable control measures in meeting occupants needs, and regular satisfaction surveys should be carried out by Real Estate Developers and the Government to get occupants’ feedback in enhancing future developments.
Keywords: Gated Communities, Housing, Real Estate, Residential Satisfaction