A Socio-Criminological Analysis of Off-Campus Accommodation in Public Tertiary Institutions in Nasarawa State, Nigeria

Off-campus which is an alternative for on-campus due to limited space on-campus is faced with various degrees of problems. These problems directly have negative impact on students living off-campus. A careful observation shows most off-campus areas are faced with problems, hence it is not peculiar to one institution but it cuts across different tertiary institutions of learning. This study examined students’ off-campus accommodation with specific focus on public tertiary institutions in Nasarawa State. The objectives of the study include to: find out the forms of disorderly conducts that are associated with off-campus accommodation system in public tertiary institutions in Nasarawa State, ascertain the reasons for the persistence of disorderly conducts in off campus accommodation system in public tertiary institutions in Nasarawa State, determine how the disorderly conducts associated with off-campus accommodation system affect students, explore ways that could curb the disorderly conducts common in off-campus accommodation system in public tertiary institutions in Nasarawa State. The social control theory of Travis Hirschi was adopted for theoretical framework. Survey research design was used. Sample size of 385 respondents were sampled using Cochran formula for sample size determination and given copies of questionnaire to fill and submit, however only 376 were retrieved for analysis. Data were collected from both primary and secondary sources. The method of data analysis was through the use of percentages, mean and standard deviation. This is for easy comprehension by readers. Findings revealed that the forms of disorderly conducts that are associated with off-campus accommodation system in public tertiary institutions in Nasarawa State include drinking in public, playing loud music or causing excessive noise late at night, illegal sales of drugs and exposing one’s naked body. Findings also revealed that the ways disorderly conducts associated with off-campus affect students include poor academic performance, interpersonal problem, safety concerns and distortion of student’s morals. The study recommended that Parents and guidance should constantly check their wards living off-campus in order to maintain strong bond with them so as to discourage them from engaging in disorderly conducts. The study also recommended that Government and management of institutions should revisit the Build, Operate and Transfer Policy (BOT) and adhere to its philosophy to boost provision of on-campus accommodation