Safety Tips for Female Students Living Off Campus in Nigerian Cities

Choosing a Neighbourhood Before You Commit

Visit any area in daylight and after dark before you sign a lease. Walk the route from the house to campus, the nearest bus stop, and the nearest market, and notice whether the streets have working lights, foot traffic, and open shops after sunset. A slightly higher rent close to campus and other students usually costs less overall than a cheaper room in an isolated area, once you add transport, time, and risk.

Ask current tenants or students already living nearby about the area's reputation rather than relying only on the agent showing you the property. Neighbours, shopkeepers, and campus student unions often know more about an area's safety record than a listing ever will.

Vetting Landlords and Roommates

• Confirm the landlord actually owns the property, using a tenancy agreement and identification, not just a verbal promise from an agent.

• Meet the landlord in person before paying any deposit, and avoid agents who pressure you to pay before you view the room.

• If sharing with roommates, meet them and agree on ground rules for visitors, keys, and shared costs in writing.

• Get a written tenancy agreement stating rent, duration, and what happens to your deposit, and keep a copy.

• Avoid handing over full-year rent in cash without a receipt or bank transfer record.

Securing Your Room and Compound

Check that your door and windows lock properly before you move in, and ask the landlord to fix any broken locks immediately. A padlock and hasp on your own door, even inside a shared compound, adds a layer of security beyond the landlord's main gate. Keep your compound gate and your own door locked at night, even for short trips outside.

Avoid posting your address or daily routine publicly on social media. If a delivery rider, classmate, or new acquaintance needs your location, share it privately and only when necessary.

Building a Support Network

Share your address, landlord's contact, and a simple check-in routine with a trusted friend, coursemate, or family member. Agree on what happens if you miss a check-in, such as a phone call after a set time or a message before you travel at night.

Join or stay close to your department's student association or a campus women's group. These networks share safety information about specific streets, landlords, and transport routes faster than any general guide can.

What to Do If Something Happens

Contact the WARIF 24-hour helpline or the Mirabel Centre in Lagos for free medical, psychosocial, and legal support after sexual assault or domestic violence. Both organisations work with survivors regardless of ability to pay and can guide you through reporting to the police if you choose to.

Dial 112, Nigeria's national emergency number, for police, fire, or medical emergencies. Report incidents to your university's student affairs or security office as well, since many institutions can offer counselling, temporary accommodation, or help mediating with a landlord after an incident.

Daily Habits That Reduce Risk

• Use registered ride-hailing apps or known transport routes at night instead of unmarked vehicles.

• Keep your phone charged and carry a small amount of emergency transport money separate from your main wallet.

• Vary your route home occasionally rather than always taking the exact same path at the exact same time.

• Trust your own discomfort. Leave a situation that feels wrong before waiting for proof that it is.