ASSESSING STUDENTS’ SATISFACTION WITH HOSTEL FACILITIES IN A PRIVATE UNIVERSITY NIGERIA

This study evaluates the level of students’ satisfaction with hostel facilities in a selected private university in Nigeria, focusing exclusively on male students residing in Lagos, Jah, and Ibadan hostels. The research was motivated by increasing concerns about the quality, availability, and functionality of hostel infrastructure and its effect on student well-being and academic engagement. A total of 316 structured questionnaires were distributed and analyzed using descriptive statistical tools, including frequency distributions, percentages, and mean scores. Key variables examined included demographic characteristics, availability and functionality of facilities, and overall student satisfaction. Findings revealed that while some hostel facilities such as study rooms, cleanliness of the environment, and bathrooms were relatively functional and satisfactory, others—particularly internet access, electricity supply, and laundry services—remained inadequate or underperforming. The study established a strong positive correlation between the availability and functionality of hostel facilities and the level of student satisfaction. Differences were also observed in satisfaction levels across the hostels, underscoring the importance of localized facility management. The study concludes that improvements in basic utilities, proactive maintenance, and student feedback mechanisms are critical to enhancing residential quality. Recommendations include targeted infrastructural investment, facility-specific upgrades, benchmarking best practices, and implementing a responsive maintenanceculture. This research contributes to the body of knowledge by providing empirical evidence on residential facility satisfaction in private tertiary institutions and offers a framework for institutional policy formulation in student accommodation management. Keywords: Student satisfaction, hostel facilities, private university, availability, functionality, residential quality, Nigeria.