Assessment of Indoor Environments in University Student Accommodation: Evidence from Nigeria
Keywords:
Indoor Environmental Qualityality (IEQ); Student Accommodation; Occupant Health; University HostelsAbstract
Poor indoor environmental quality (IEQ) in Nigerian university accommodation can negatively impact students' health, comfort, and academic performance. IEQ was assessed in 6 hostels using field measurements and surveys of 442 students. In male hostels, poor ventilation and indoor activity led to significantly higher levels of PM2.5 and PM10 compared to WHO standards. Poor ventilation was seen in female accommodation, as shown by CO₂ trends. Poor IEQ was substantially related with reported symptoms such as respiratory issues, headaches, and frequent sickness. The study suggests improved ventilation, maintenance, and statutory modifications to improve student health and learning.
References
Abdulmalik, U., Saleh, K. J., & Shehu, I. (2023). Bacteriological Assessment of Air Quality in Male and Female Hostels at Federal University Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State. Sahel Journal of Life Sciences FUDMA, 1(1), 89-100.
Afroz, R., Guo, X., Cheng, C. W., Omar, S., Carney, V. L., Zuidhof, M. J., & Zhao, R. (2024). Assessments and application of low-cost sensors to study indoor air quality in layer facilities. Environmental Technology & Innovation, 36, 103773.
Akoh, S. A. (2023). Assessment Of Indoor Air Quality In Student Hostel In Federal University Of Technology, Minna, Niger State (Master’s Thesis).
Bajc, T., & Kerčov, A. (2025). Assessment of students’ productivity in context of indoor environmental quality and personal factors. Building Research & Information, 1-16.
Benabed, A., & Boulbair, A. (2022). PM10, PM2. 5, PM1, and PM0. 1 resuspension due to human walking. Air Quality, Atmosphere & Health, 15(9), 1547-1556.
Bennett, A. (2025). Effects of indoor nature exposure on stress levels and cognitive performance in challenging circumstances (Doctoral dissertation, Cardiff Metropolitan University).
Bhyan, P., Tyagi, P., Shrivastava, B., & Kumar, N. (2025). Existing State of Group Housing Shortages and Household Quality of Life in India. In Sustainability and Urban Quality of Life (pp. 41-51). Routledge India.
Bortolini, R., & Forcada, N. (2021). Association between building characteristics and indoor environmental quality through post-occupancy evaluation. Energies, 14(6), 1659.
Cheung, R. W., Chatzidiakou, L., Yang, T. C., O’Meara, S. P., Shaw, D. R., Genes, D., ... & McEachan, R. R. (2025). Inequalities and indoor air pollution: a prospective observational study of particulate matter (PM2. 5) levels in 309 UK homes from the Born in Bradford cohort study. BMC Public Health, 25(1), 3876.
Fu, I. C. S., Lau, S. S. Y., Zhang, J., & Miao, Y. (2025). Design with Human. Low Carbon-oriented Design: Principles and Practices, 255.
Grasso-Cladera, A., Arenas-Perez, M., Wegertseder-Martinez, P., Vilina, E., Mattoli-Sanchez, J., & Parada, F. J. (2025). Neuroscientific Insights into the Built Environment: A Systematic Review of Empirical Research on Indoor Environmental Quality, Physiological Dynamics, and Psychological Well-Being in Real-Life Contexts. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 22(6), 824.
Higgins, C., Kumar, P., & Morawska, L. (2024). Indoor air quality monitoring and source apportionment using low-cost sensors. Environmental research communications, 6(1), 012001.
Ibiyeye, A. I. (2024). Evaluating sustainable features of selected university female hostels in Kaduna State, Nigeria. Science World Journal, 19(4), 921-931.
Ibrahim, E. C., Afen, I. J., Ayeni, O., Omuh, I. O., & Ojelabi, R. A. (2025). Assessment of Indoor Air Quality and Perceived Health Risks: A Case Study of Student's Hostels in Southwestern Nigeria. Journal of Public Health, 13(3), 529-541.
Idiang, M. I., Shuaibu, M. S., Dixit, S., Beba, L., & Obong, B. B. B. (2022). The effects of overcrowding on students living in university of calabar female hostel, Cross River State, Nigeria. Journal of Image Processing and Intelligent Remote Sensing, 2(03), 31-49.
-2158.
Igiebor, F. A., Ngwoke, C. A., Amengialue, O. O., & Ohikhuai, D. (2025). Assessment of Microbiological Air Quality in University Hostels: A Comparative Study of Male and Female Hostels.
Karimi, H., Adibhesami, M. A., Ghasemi, M., Sepehri, B., & Mahdavi Estalkhsar, B. (2023). Investigating the impact of indoor environmental quality and internal design on students' satisfaction in Tehran and North Cyprus dormitories. International Journal of Building Pathology and Adaptation.
Khalil, N., Kamaruzzaman, S. N., Riley, M., Husin, H. N., & Nawawi, A. H. (2024). Systematic literature review: the nexus of users’ social characteristics to environmental performance mandates in post occupancy evaluation (POE). Facilities, 42(1/2), 1-26.
Kumar, S., Sakagami, K., & Lee, H. P. (2025). Beyond Sustainability: The Role of Regenerative Design in Optimizing Indoor Environmental Quality. Sustainability, 17(6), 2342.
Li, S. (2023). Review of engineering controls for indoor air quality: A systems design perspective. Sustainability, 15(19), 14232.
Obajuluwa, A. F., Akanni, I. O., & Bege, K. B. (2024). Microbiological Assessment of Indoor Air Quality Of Student Hostels and Canteens In A Nigerian University Campus: Risks on Students’health. FUDMA Journal of Sciences, 8(2), 73-78.
Ode, O. M., Okolie, K. C., Ezeokoli, F. O., & Obodoh, D. A. (2023). An Examination Of Sources Of Indoor Air Contaminants In The Students’hostel Rooms In Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka-Anambra State. Tropical Built Environment Journal, 9(2).
Ogunnaike, A. O., Daramola, O. F., & Ojo, O. I. (2025). Modernist Architecture and Human Comfort in Public Spaces: A Literature-Based Review with Focus on Lagos, Nigeria. African Journal of Environmental Sciences and Renewable Energy, 19(1), 286-307.
Omarov, B., Yermakhanov, B., Ayapbergenova, A., Amanov, A., Turayeva, A., & Daniyarov, T. (2024). Examination of physical activity and life quality levels of university students based on the analysis of the WHOQOL-BREF indicators. Retos, 61, 823-831.
Semasinghe, K., Perera, S., Jin, X., Samaratunga, M., & Nanayakkara, S. (2025). Data-driven approaches to improve Indoor Environmental Quality: A Systematic Literature Review. In Proceedings of Digital Frontiers in Buildings and Infrastructure International Conference Series (pp. 121-135).
Sharma, P., Rawat, N., Singh, S., Narayan, V., Shukla, B. K., Pandey, A. K., & Verma, S. (2025). into Sustainability, Occupant Well-Being, and Future Technological. Advances in Green Energy Technologies: Proceedings of ICGEST 2023, Volume 2, 1314, 85.
Yang, M., Qiu, J., Luo, S., Zhang, S., Xie, J., Liu, L., ... & Zheng, Y. (2025). Evidence on how planning and design contribute to building a habitat security space: a multidimensional exploration. Environmental Research Communications, 7(9), 092002.
Yu, Y., Gola, M., Settimo, G., Buffoli, M., & Capolongo, S. (2024). Feasibility and affordability of low-cost air sensors with internet of things for indoor air quality monitoring in residential buildings: Systematic review on sensor information and residential applications, with experience-based discussions. Atmosphere, 15(10), 1170.
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Oluwafemi Kehinde Akande, Ayuba Bassa John, Olufunmilola Adetayo Obakin, Adegbenga Adewale Oshineye, Henry Ogunjobi, Rohanna Sham, Lilian Chioma Obi-George
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
