Assessment of the architectural characteristics of student hostels and students’ well-being in higher education

The environment where students’ live highly influence their physical, mental, and social well-being, yet limited evidence exists on how hostel architecture affects well-being in Nigerian universities, where growing enrolment and weak maintenance culture often strain residential facilities. This study examines how key architectural features, room size, ventilation, lighting, spatial layout, privacy, sanitation, and communal areas, shape student well-being in Covenant University (CU) and Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), two institutions with contrasting ownership and management systems. A quantitative mixed-methods approach was employed, using structured questionnaires and systematic on-site observations. Data were collected from 155 randomly selected undergraduates, and instrument reliability was confirmed (Cronbach’s α = 0.82). Descriptive statistics, the Mann–Whitney U test, and ordinal logistic regression were used to compare perceptions and assess the influence of architectural characteristics on well-being. Findings revealed notable disparities in architectural performance and maintenance. Although natural lighting and basic comfort were generally adequate in both universities, significant deficiencies were observed in ventilation, acoustic comfort, sanitation, accessibility, and overall facility upkeep more pronounced in the public university hostels. Students reported that poor ventilation, deteriorating fixtures, and inadequate sanitation negatively affected their physical and mental wellbeing. While differences in perceptions between CU and OOU were not statistically significant, CU students expressed slightly more favourable views. Spatial planning and hostel amenities showed weak but meaningful predictive effects on wellbeing, suggesting that design quality contributes to comfort but is strongly moderated by maintenance culture, safety practices, and management efficiency. This study offers one of the first comparative, evidence-based analyses of hostel architecture and student wellbeing in Nigerian universities. It underscores the combined importance of design quality and consistent maintenance in creating healthier, more supportive residential environments.