Student Cohabitation in Higher Institutions: Causes, Risks, and Practical Guidance
In Nigerian higher institutions today, one growing social trend is student cohabitation — a situation where unmarried male and female students live together in the same apartment, often as couples or close companions.
This practice, once considered rare and socially unacceptable, has become increasingly common across universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.
While some students justify cohabitation as a matter of convenience or financial necessity, others see it as part of modern campus life.
Yet, beneath this lifestyle choice lie serious academic, moral, and health implications that deserve attention.
Understanding Student Cohabitation
Cohabitation simply means two unmarried people — in this case, students — sharing the same living space and often acting like husband and wife.
Unlike regular roommates who share rent for economic reasons, cohabiting students usually maintain an emotional or romantic relationship.
This form of living arrangement has sparked debates on many Nigerian campuses, with school authorities and religious groups condemning it, while others argue that it’s a private matter since students are adults.
Reasons Why Students Cohabit
Several factors drive this practice among Nigerian students, including:
- High cost of accommodation: The rising price of off-campus hostels pushes students to share apartments and expenses.
- Inadequate school hostels: Many institutions cannot accommodate all students, leaving thousands to fend for themselves in nearby communities.
- Romantic relationships: Some couples choose to stay together to “test” their relationship or enjoy privacy away from school rules.
- Freedom and peer influence: After secondary school, many students experience freedom for the first time and imitate friends living together with partners.
- Lack of parental supervision: Students far from home may feel less accountable for their behaviour or living choices.
Possible Benefits of Cohabitation
While most discussions highlight the negatives, it is fair to note that some students find temporary benefits in cohabiting.
For instance, partners share bills, food, and emotional support, which may reduce stress and loneliness.
Some claim that living together improves understanding in relationships and teaches responsibility.
However, these perceived benefits are often short-lived and may lead to deeper challenges when conflicts arise.
Negative Effects and Risks of Student Cohabitation
- Health challenges: Cohabiting students are at greater risk of unwanted pregnancies, unsafe abortions, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Without proper health awareness, these can lead to lifelong consequences.
- Academic decline: Many cohabiting students lose focus. Relationship issues, domestic chores, and emotional stress often affect reading time and attendance.
- Financial strain: Trying to maintain a home-like lifestyle can become expensive, especially for students without stable income or parental support.
- Domestic conflict: Quarrels, jealousy, or mistrust can lead to emotional trauma or even physical violence.
- Social and moral concerns: In conservative communities, cohabitation attracts criticism and may damage a student’s reputation.
- Institutional sanctions: Some universities have rules against male-female cohabitation and may suspend or expel students caught in the act.
How Cohabitation Affects Campus Morality and Safety
Cohabitation doesn’t just affect those involved — it can influence others in the student community.
Younger or newly admitted students may see it as normal and feel pressured to imitate it.
It can also lead to unsafe neighbourhoods where landlords rent single rooms to mixed-gender occupants without proper regulation.
This lack of supervision increases the risk of sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse, especially for female students.
Guidelines for Students Living Off-Campus
Whether living alone or with friends, students should make responsible housing choices. Here are a few tips:
- Choose secure hostels or apartments close to campus and avoid isolated buildings.
- Inform family members or guardians about your location and roommates.
- Keep academic goals first — don’t allow emotional distractions to ruin your future.
- Visit the school’s Health Section for safety and wellbeing articles.
- Attend seminars or campus programs that teach responsible relationships and reproductive health.
Parental and Institutional Responsibilities
Parents should maintain close communication with their children even after they gain admission.
Regular check-ins help discourage risky behaviours. Institutions, on their part, should provide more affordable hostels,
introduce orientation programs on moral education, and offer accessible counselling centres for students who face relationship or emotional issues.
Health and Counselling Support
Universities must strengthen health and counselling units. Many students engage in cohabitation out of emotional loneliness, financial hardship, or lack of guidance.
With proper mentoring and access to professional counsellors, students can make wiser choices that protect their health and academics.
For broader youth health advice, visit the
World Health Organization Youth Health Page
or the National Universities Commission (NUC) website for official student welfare guidelines.
Conclusion
Cohabitation among students in higher institutions remains a complex social issue shaped by economics, freedom, and emotion.
Although it may seem harmless, its consequences — academic failure, health risks, and moral decline — are too significant to ignore.
Students should understand that freedom without discipline leads to regret. Parents, educators, and government agencies must all work together
to create safer environments and provide moral guidance for young people.
Ultimately, higher education is about self-development, not domestic experimentation.
The goal of every student should be to graduate successfully, not to experience premature family life.
Let’s build campuses where discipline, safety, and academic excellence come first.
Read more educational topics on Education and campus health articles on Health for balanced student guidance.
