THE ROLE OF SHADING DEVICES IN REDUCING INDOOR HEAT GAIN IN EDUCATIONAL BUILDINGS: AN OCCUPANT SURVEY STUDY OF MOSHOOD ABIOLA POLYTECHNIC, ABEOKUTA, NIGERIA

Excessive indoor heat gain through unshaded window openings remains a persistent problem in naturally ventilated educational buildings in hot-humid tropical climates, where mechanical cooling is often unaffordable. This study examined the role of external shading devices in reducing indoor heat gain and improving thermal comfort in educational buildings from the occupants' perspective, using the School of Environmental Studies Block of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY), Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria, as a case study. A descriptive survey design was employed, involving a structured occupant thermal comfort questionnaire administered to 112 students. Findings showed a mean thermal sensation vote of +1.25 on the ASHRAE 7-point scale, corresponding to a collective perception between slightly warm and warm, while 73.2% of respondents preferred cooler indoor conditions and 56.3% rated the thermal environment as acceptable. Window opening and fan use were the dominant adaptive behaviours. The findings confirm that classrooms are thermally stressful during peak hours and that occupants strongly favour Passive heat control, reinforcing the case for orientation-specific external shading as a cost-effective passive strategy for tropical educational institutions.