IMPACT OF ABANDONED HOSTEL ON STUDENTS ACCOMMODATION IN UNICROSS (CALABAR CAMPUS)

ABSTRACT This study investigated the impact of abandoned hostels on student accommodation at the university of cross river state (UNICROSS), Calabar campus. With a growing student population, the need for adequate housing is pressing; however, many hostel projects remain incomplete, intensifying the accommodation crisis. A structured questionnaire was administered to a sample of 150 respondents comprising students, university administrators, and hostel managers. Using descriptive statistics, key findings revealed that 94 (62.7%) of the respondents were female, and 77 (51.33%) were aged between 26-35 years. The study identified significant correlations, revealing that abandoned hostels significantly contribute to the official shortage of on-campus accommodation (Pearson's r = 0.794, p < 0.01), affirming that the increasing number of abandoned structures exacerbates housing deficits. More specifically, results showed that 60% of respondents agreed that the number of abandoned hostels is insufficient to meaningfully alleviate accommodation shortages. Alarmingly, 83% indicated that their off-campus living arrangements forced them to incur higher expenses. Furthermore, 70% reported feeling disconnected from the campus community due to off-campus living, suggesting a detrimental effect on social integration. Safety concerns and aesthetic issues were also prominent, with 85% expressing unease regarding potential risks linked to abandoned facilities. Notably, a substantial 88% of respondents called for increased institutional investment in rehabilitating these hostels. The research underscores the manifold implications of abandoned hostel projects, including academic performance and socioeconomic divides, and highlights the urgent need for strategic infrastructure management at UNICROSS. The findings advocate for targeted interventions to rehabilitate existing structures, ensuring student welfare and improving the overall academic environment. This research is significant for policymakers and the university administration as it emphasizes the critical link between adequate accommodation and academic success in Nigerian universities.