The growing adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the management of student housing in the United Kingdom offers valuable insights for property managers in Nigeria.
While student accommodation in Nigeria is still developing, the UK experience demonstrates how technology can improve efficiency, tenant satisfaction, and investment returns.
In Nigeria, developers like Student Accommod8 are beginning to explore this market, providing over 300 beds across campuses, with returns reportedly reaching 22 percent—significantly higher than the 4–5 percent seen in traditional residential projects, according to CEO Abayomi Onasanya. However, managing dispersed student housing remains a challenge for Nigerian operators.
In the UK, property management firms such as VerbaFlo have integrated AI platforms to automate communications with tenants across multiple channels, including voice, email, SMS, and webchat.
The technology allows property managers to respond instantly in over 180 languages, streamline operations, and optimize occupancy rates.
Today, VerbaFlo manages approximately 25 percent of all Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) beds in the UK, totaling 168,000 beds.
According to Propertywire, the AI platform generates about $100,000 in monthly revenue, with contracts exceeding $1.6 million.
The company projects surpassing $1.5 million in annual revenue by the end of the year, while expanding its footprint into five European markets, including the Netherlands, Portugal, Poland, Austria, and Germany.
Despite rising operational costs and affordability concerns, especially in cities like Sheffield where demand has dropped by 17.3 percent, UK student housing operators demonstrate that technology can maintain efficiency and secure tenant engagement.
For Nigeria, integrating AI in student housing could streamline communication, enhance occupancy management, and improve return on investment.
Experts suggest that as the local student housing market expands, lessons from the UK can help developers and property managers adopt smarter management practices, improve tenant experiences, and drive the sector’s growth.
