Impact of Students’ Village Residence on the Students Performance and the Host Community: A Study of Federal Polytechnic Bauchi, Nigeria

This study is on the impact of students’ village residence on students of tertiary institutions performance and the host community. Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi was used for the study, it is located in Gwallameji community about 7 km south of Bauchi metropolis along Dass/Tafawa Balewa road, Nigeria. In the study, questionnaire were administered physically, direct observation and oral interview were used to generate data from the students, staff and people in the community; descriptive survey design, tables and percentages were used to present data. Purposive sampling strategy was used to select the sample. The data collected were analyzed using mean scores to answer the research questions. Any item with less than 2.50 was rejected as having no influence. On the other hand, it was accepted if it was 2.50 and above for having significant impact. It was established that there is significant gap between demand and supply for hostel accommodation in higher institutions and that the increasing reliance on students’ village residence outside the institutions has significant negative influence on their academic performance and their social development. It also have its economic impact as it attract different forms of business activities which provides sources of income, and reduces poverty in the host community. However, it was also evident that cult’s activities, drugs peddling/consumption and insecurity become prevalent in the host community. Careful and coordinated effort is required on the side of government, schools administration and the community leaders to mitigate these challenges effectively.