Perspectives of Students on Private Hostel Facilities in Proximity to the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined students’ perspectives on private hostel facilities, focusing on selected private hostels within Federal University of Technology environs, with a view to ensuring the functionality and optimal performance of the facilities in the hostel. The targeted population of this research consists of the private hostels around south gate of Federal University of Technology and its environs. Data was obtained through the distribution of structured questionnaires. A total number of two hundred and eighty one (281) questionnaires were administered and (234) representing 83.27% of the questionnaires were retrieved. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics (relative importance index and weighted mean score). Results of the data obtained revealed that internet connectivity and electricity were the most needed facilities in the hostels with mean scores of 4.6410 and 4.4701 respectively. Privacy and length of lease were the major factors that influenced students’ decision to reside in private hostels. The research further revealed that students were highly satisfied with security, road network, waste disposal system but were dissatisfied with common room, electricity, internet connectivity and laundry facilities. The research recommended and concluded that facilities in private hostels need to be improved upon. This will greatly improve the comfortability of the students and influence their academic performance positively.