Managing Hostels Sanitation in the Face of Crisis: A Study of Polytechnic Institutions in North Eastern Nigeria

Abstract

Abstract

• This study investigates the challenges of hostel cleaning in tertiary institutions in North Eastern Nigeria, a region characterized by prolonged insecurity, underfunded infrastructure, and weak sanitation systems. The research identifies the key factors affecting hostel cleanliness, including inadequate water supply, insufficient cleaning personnel, poor waste management, and the impact of the Boko Haram insurgency. Using a descriptive survey design, data were collected from students, hostel staff, and administrators across selected institutions using structured questionnaires. Responses were analyzed using mean ranking techniques, revealing that the most pressing issues were inadequate water supply (mean = 4.56), shortage of trained cleaning staff (mean = 4.45), and inefficient waste disposal systems (mean = 4.20). The study also found that insecurity significantly disrupts sanitation logistics and service delivery. Further analysis showed that poor hostel cleaning correlates with increased illness among students and reduced academic performance. The findings underscore the urgent need for institutional reforms and context-specific interventions to promote safe, clean, and conducive living environments for students in conflict-affected regions. It was recommended that improving water infrastructure, hiring more trained sanitation staff, integrating private sector cleaning services, and implementing hygiene awareness programs will greatly help in solving the problems.