Evaluation of Students’ Residential Choices in University of Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria
1Anyamele, C. J., 1Bot, E. T., 1Ilenwabor J. O.,1Nesla, R. A., 1Ukah, O. A., and 2Seri, N. M.
1, Department of Geography and Planning, University of Jos, Jos, Nigeria
2 Department of Geography, Plateau State University, Bokkos, Bokkos, Nigeria
DOI: 10.36108/laujoces/5202.51.0171
Abstract
The study evaluates the determinants of students’ residential choices at the University of Jos, Nigeria, with an emphasis on economic, environmental, social, and institutional factors. Through multistage sampling technique data was drawn from 400 students and a binary logistic regression analysis was used to predict the residential choice of students, the study identifies security (45%), with a p value of (p = .005), proximity to campus (30%), with a p value of (p = .011), and transportation cost (25%), with a p value of (p = .007), as the most critical factors influencing student residential choices in the University of Jos. The regression results also showed that security positively predicts on-campus residence, while distance from school and transportation cost are negatively associated with it. Social dynamics also play a significant role, where peer influence (51%) emerged as the dominant social factor, followed by family influence (35%), whereas university housing policy (14%) was the least influential institutional factor. These findings suggest that both tangible and psychosocial variables shape students’ residential preferences. The study concludes with actionable recommendations, including sustainable expansion of on-campus housing, partnerships with private developers, and targeted housing guidance for students. These insights offer valuable implications for university administrators, urban planners, and policymakers aiming to improve student welfare and academic outcomes through housing interventions.
Keywords: Student housing, Residential choice, Housing determinants, On and off campus housing