Impacts of the Kogi State University on Housing Development and Environmental Quality of Anyigba, Kogi State, Nigeria

Abstract

Liberalisation of the establishment of tertiary institutions across Nigeria in recent times has created new growth poles as places or settlements where the institutions are located have benefitted from several associated social and economic opportunities. However, the establishment of several of these new tertiary institutions has not been accompanied with the required investment in the building of on-campus student housing or hostel accommodation. This study, therefore, seeks to analyse the effects of the establishment of Kogi State University (KSU), Anyigba on housing development and environmental quality of the town. Amongst others the study examines the pattern of housing development and level of adherence to physical development regulations in the study area and the characteristics of neighbourhoods around the KSU campus where most of the off-campus student hostels are situated. As part of the study a total of 364 questionnaires were administered on heads of households and landlords of the houses where students reside using a systematic random sampling approach. The focus of the questionnaires is to determine factors that influence housing development in neighbourhoods around the campus of KSU and the level of adherence to extant physical planning regulations in the development of these housing, particularly off-campus student hostels. Personal observation was also used to obtain data on the visual quality of the study area. Descriptive and inferential analytical techniques are adopted for the analysis of data obtained with the aid of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Among others, the study reveals that 68% of housing used for off-campus student hostels did not observe the required plot ratio and setbacks, while 26% of the houses did not have toilets and other required conveniences such as kitchens and bathrooms. The study further establishes that toilets are inadequate in 61.6% of the houses that had such facility. Amongst others, the study recommends a more rigorous physical development control in the area to stem the ugly scenario of unwholesome housing development and poor environmental quality.