University Administration in Nigeria

International Journal on Integrated Education e-ISSN : 2620 - 3502
p-ISSN : 2615 - 3785

https://journals.researchparks.org/index.php/IJIE
University Administration in Nigeria
Madu Christian Onyekachi

cmadu0703@gmail.com
Department of Educational Management, University of Abuja, Nigeria.
and
Fumba John
fumba2687@gmail.com
Department of Business Administration, Federal University Wukari, Nigeria.
Abstract
This paper examined the problem hindering effective university administration in Nigeria. The
paper depend on secondary data. The secondary data were collected from online and print
publications. The paper concluded that poor funding, shortage of infrastructure facilities,
shortage of academic staff, lack of autonomy, integration of the universities into the Integrated
Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), inadequate current data, political influence,
weak universities’ Administrators, insecurity, strikes actions, Brain-drain, corruption and policy
instability are the problems facing the university administration in Nigeria. Based on these
problems, the paper hereby recommended the following: increment in the funding of universities
education; provision of adequate infrastructural facilities; employment of more academic staff
and the government should grant full autonomy, remove all the universities from Integrated
Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS); and ensure that current data are generated
timely in the tertiary institution especially in the universities etc.
Keywords: Administration, University system
INTRODUCTION
Administration is act of arranging resources to achieve institutional goals. Administration is the
systematic process of applying both human and materials resource to realize the objectives of an
organization. Administration is the application and the deployment of organizational resource to
towards achievement of organizational goals (Ogunode, Pajo, Akhmedov, 2020). (Akinpelu
1984) submitted administration is concerned with a variety of tasks while (Ogunsaju 1998)
describes administration as the careful and systematic arrangement and use of human and
material resources, situations and opportunities for the achievement of specific objectives.
Administration is very germane to the realization of the school’s objectives – indeed, the success
of the school system depends largely on the administration of the school is handled. (Kalagbor
2017), defined the administration as the process of identifying, mobilizing and utilizing scarce
human and material resources relevant in organization for the purpose of achieving specific
organization goals. Godwin (2018) Administration as dealing with integration of the appropriate
human and material resources that are made available and made effective for achieving the
purposes of a programme of an institution.
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International Journal on Integrated Education e-ISSN : 26203502
IJIE | Research Parks Publishing (IDEAS Lab) p-ISSN : 26153785
From the above definitions, this paper conceptualized administration as systematic organization
of human and materials resources for the implementation of organizational programme and for
the attainment of organizational programme. Administration can also be viewed as the
deployment of resources (human and materials) by institutions for the institutions programme
implementation and the realization of the institutional goals within a timeframe.
Administration covers education. The areas of education include early childhood, Basic
education, junior secondary school education, secondary school education and tertiary education
where we have university administration. University administration according to (Ogunode
2020) is the application of the universities’ resources to implement the programme of the
universities with the aims of realizing the objectives of the universities. University
administration is the mobilization and arrangement of both human and materials resources for
the achievement of the university’s goals. University administration is the effective use of the
resources of the university to implement the teaching programme, research programme and the
community service programme of the universities. University administration is the deployment
of the universities’ resources to accomplish the universities’ programme. The objectives of
university administration include: to implement the programme of the universities as defined; to
allocate resources for the implementation of the universities programme; to ensure
implementation of teaching programme, to ensure implementation of research programme; to
ensure delivery of quality community services programme, to ensure effective staff development,
to ensure effective student administration, to ensure smooth implementation of academic
calendar and to ensure quality education (Ogunode, 2020). The university administration is
plagued with many problems. These problems have affected the development of the universities
in Nigeria. It is important to discuss problems hindering effective university administration in
Nigeria.
Problem of University Administration in Nigeria

University administration is confronted with different problems in Nigeria. Some of these
problems include, poor funding, shortage of infrastructure facilities, shortage of academic staff,
lack of autonomy, integration of the universities into the Integrated Payroll and Personnel
Information System (IPPIS), inadequate current data, political influence, weak universities’
Administrators, insecurity, strikes actions Brain-drain, corruption and policy instability
Poor Funding
Poor funding of universities in Nigeria have frustrated university administration. This
submission is acknowledged by (Ogunode & Abubakar 2020) who cited (Udida, Bassey, Udofia,
& Egbona) and they observed that the major issue in educational development is shortage of
funds. One of the most serious problems threatening the survival of the educational systems is
that of dwindling level of public funding in the face of rising demands and hence rising cost of
higher education. This shortage of funds affects job performance and the growth of the
institution. Higher educational institutions cannot perform optimally without funding. This
situation calls for increased fund initiative from both the government and educational
stakeholders so as to sustain the tempo and growth of education industry. The inability of the
Nigerian government to objectively accept and implement the 15% - 20% funding formula for
education recommended by the UNESCO impact negatively on the performance and
sustainability of higher education (Ogunode 2023;Ogunode, & Emmanuel, 2023;Akomolafe &
Ibijola, 2014). Thus, it has become obvious that Nigeria’s neglect of the funding formula is
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detrimental to higher educational institution performance and development aspiration as quality

performance is the veritable instrument for sustenance of education system. This neglect has
further precipitated crises in the entire higher educational systems as effective teaching, research
and service are no longer taking place seriously. On this note, also, (Ogunode 2020) cited
(Akinola) who was worried about the funding situation and commented thus: “Our higher
institution education systems are in dire need of money.....to cater for both their capital and
recurrent needs. For a few years past, the budget have been cut back from year to year by the
federal government. This cut back has affected both capital and recurrent expenditures. In many
higher institutions capital projects embarked upon are few years ago, are yet to be completed due
to lack of adequate funds”. (Ogunode, Attah, & Ebute, 2023; Ogunode & Onyekachi (2021) and
(Obadara & Alaka, 2013) identified the factors responsible for inadequate funding of public
universities in Nigeria to include lack of political will, corruption, increase in population,
inflation, fall in national revenue and poor financial planning and the implications of
underfunding of the public universities include; inadequate infrastructural facilities, shortage of
academics staff, poor quality of education, brain-drain and strike action.
Shortage of Infrastructure Facilities
Shortage of infrastructure facilities is a major challenge to effective university administration in
Nigeria. There is shortage of infrastructure facilities in majorities of universities in Nigeria.
(Ebehikhalu & Dawam 2016) observed that recent reports on our universities portray a general
lack of infrastructural facilities. An average public university in Nigeria lacks basic infrastructure
like regular water supply, electricity, and standard accommodation for students. In many
instances, the toilets that serve the students are in bad shape as many do not have running
water. Lecture rooms and offices are not available and where available are in need of
refurbishment. Libraries are poorly equipped and are short of modern books and equipment.
(Ogunode, & Okwelogu, 2022) observed that laboratory equipment are obsolete and inputs for
teaching are in short supply. Roads and building on many campuses are in a state of disrepair.
Poor and dilapidated infrastructures are the major factors that have led to the despicable state
of the Nigerian Universities. It is therefore not surprising that the products of these
infrastructures often fail to rise up to the occasion when put to test and task. According to the
students’ Union president of Ahmadu Bello University, Mallam Rafindadi Abubakar Aliyu stated
that lack of basic facilities in the Nigerian Universities is a great setback to conducive learning
activities. Rafindadi said the main problem facing students in the universities is congestion in
classrooms, dilapidated hostels and lack of modern laboratory equipment. You see a class that
is meant to accommodate only 30 students in those days, over 200 students are using the class
today. Many of us hang outside by the windows to receive lectures. In my department (Political
Science), we seat on bare floor to receive lectures in the lecture theater. We are 312 in my
class. You can imagine one lecture teaching 312 students, marking 312 scripts and each of the
scripts, in an examination, none of them is less than 10 pages. Some students seat on the
podium where the lecture is standing. Most of the seats are broken so you put your books on
your lap to write. There are no fans in many of the classrooms and when it is hot, you will be
using the same book to fan yourself and taking down notes at the same time. During the rainy
reason, the classrooms leak. The books in the libraries are outdated, the equipment in the
laboratories are outdated. You will see a large number of students lining up to use one
microscope in the laboratories. The hostel accommodation is one of the most challenges facing
the students in the institutions. He said there are no beds in the hostels and the students put
mattresses to sleep on the floor. The hostels are overcrowded with more than eight students in
a room that was initially meant for one or two persons. The students are exposed to all sorts of
health problems because they also use the rooms for cooking and washing in front of their
rooms as there is no laundry where they can wash. The toilets are bad, they have no doors and
students have to queue to take their bath or ease themselves (Enogholase 2013; Thisday,
2013). (Ishola, 2018; Khan & Khandaker 2016; Ogunode, & Jegede 2021; Obadara, & Alaka,
2013) concluded that factors responsible for inadequate infrastructural facilities in Nigerian
public universities include; underfunding, increased student population, corruption, poor
infrastructural facilities planning, poor supervision and inflation.
Shortage of Academic staff
Inadequate academic staff is a problem hindering effective curriculum implementation in
tertiary institutions. (Ogunode & Adamu, 2021) viewed academic staff as those teaching staff in
higher institutions. Academic staff are the implementer of the school curriculum and lecture
presenters. Academic staffs are the teachers and delivery of instruction in the higher
institutions. Academic staff are the knowledge and character builder/importers in the higher
institution. The academic staff are the engine room of the higher institutions. They are the pillar
and foundation of higher institutions. The functions of the academic staff include lecturing,
preparing the lecture note, preparing the lesson note, sourcing instruction materials, giving an
assignment to students, assessing the students through continuous assessment and
examination, setting exams questions, marking the answer sheet, supervising students'
research work, especially projects, theses and dissertation and prepares the students to grade
points. The academic staff conducts different levels of research, presents their findings and
contributes to the development of knowledge in the higher institutions (Ogunode, Jegede &
Musa, 2021; Daniel-Kalio, 2019; Akpan, 2011; Alechenu 2012). The shortage of academic staff is
affecting curriculum implementation in many higher institutions. There is a shortage of
manpower in Nigerian universities which is why the (National Universities Commission 2021)
stated that universities should be isolated from the Federal Government‘s circular on new
employment owing to the shortage of lecturers. The commission noted that 100,000 academic
staff members were attending to 2.1 million students in Nigerian universities. The NUC
disclosed that the commission was supervising over 200 universities consisting of 48 belonging
to the Federal Government; 54 states and 99 private institutions. NUC observed that ―The
entire system has about 2.1 million students and a staff strength of about 170,000 non-teaching
and 100,000 academic staff. ―Some of the problems facing the system include increased
running costs, meagre budgetary allocations, issues of power shortages and shortages of
manpower. (Otokunefer 2015; Ogunode & Adamu 2021 and Ogunode & Okwelogu 2022;
Ogunode,& Ade, 2023;Ogunode & Olaoye, & Yakubu, 2023) conclude that underfunding, poor
manpower planning, poor motivation, government policy on the embargo, corruption (Ghost
worker) and strike action problems are the causes of inadequate academic staff in the public
universities in North-central Nigeria and the implications of the shortage of academic staff in
public universities include poor implementation of teaching programme, high student-lecturers
ratio, heavy workload for lecturers, poor local and international ranking, bad international
image, poor coverage of scheme of work and poor academic programme accreditation.
Lack of Autonomy
The (Confederation of Indian Universities 2004) defined autonomy as the necessary degree of
independence from external control that the university requires in respect of its internal
organization and governance; the internal distribution of financial resources; staff recruitment;
the setting of the condition of study; the freedom to conduct teaching and research. Reasons for
university autonomy in Nigeria according to (Azenabor 2022) are: it is a traditional right, which
has worked over the years. The responsibilities of creating new knowledge through scholarship
and research, transmitting and preserving culture, developing the capacity in students for critical
and independent judgment, and cultivating aesthetic sensitivities are best carried out in
environments free from direct external control and domination. The complexity of academic
work requires a fair measure of independence. Autonomy provides for both staff and students
checks and balances and better morale in a democratic society. Universities globally are
designed to operate in full autonomy. The lack of autonomy in the Nigerian university system
has frustrated smooth administration. Autonomy makes university administration effective and
sustainable. Ogunode & Ibrahim 2023) concluded that integration of the federal universities into
the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), centralization of the university
system, centralization of admission, governing council dominance, poor implementation of the
university Autonomy Bill and poor funding model of public universities are the tools used by the
Nigerian government to undermine universities autonomy in Nigeria.
Integration of the universities into the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information
System (IPPIS)
The integration of the universities into the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System
(IPPIS) has affected effective university administration in Nigeria. The integration of the federal
universities into the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) has slowed
down the federal universities’ administration due to the non-flow of funds for effective
administration as a result of the centralization of universities' funds. (Ogunode, Olaoye, &
Yakubu, (2023); Olowonefa, Ogunode, & Ohibime (2022) and Ogunode, Ohibime, & Jedege,
(2023) noted that the survival of the university system depends on the availability of fund. The
university administrators need a system that guarantees funds always in the system to enable
them to carry out the administrative programme. The university system is not designed to work
with a centralized payment system outside the university system. Integrated Payroll and
Personnel Information System (IPPIS) is hindering effective running of the universities.
Universities should handle salaries payment of her staff. (Aluko, 2020) argued Integrated Payroll
and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) violated the concept of University autonomy.
University autonomy is a global practice associated with Universities all over the world and it
has four main dimensions, namely; academic, organizational, financial and staff autonomy
(Aluko, 2020). Academic autonomy simply means the University's capacity to manage its,
internal academic affairs independently. Such issues include; students' admissions, academic
content, quality assurance and the introduction of new degree programmes. Organizational
autonomy has to do with the Universities' ability to decide freely on issues like decision-making,
executive leadership, legal entities and internal academic structures (Doki. 2019). (Ogunode, &
Adamu 2023) stated that negative impacts of the implementation of the Integrated Personnel and
Payroll Information System (IPPIS) on the federal universities administration including
termination of appointment of contract staff, shortage of academic staff, slow in federal
university administration and violation of federal universities autonomy. Integration of the
federal universities into the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) have
violated the university autonomy and it have affected effective universities administration by
slowing it down.
Inadequate Current Data

Lack of current data on universities in Nigeria has prevented effective administration in Nigeria.
Data is very important for planning, decision taking and making. (Ogunode 2020) noted that
inadequate data on university education in Nigeria is another problem facing the planning of
public universities in Nigeria. There is limited data on university education in Nigeria. The data
available are not current and adequate and this is affecting the administration of the public
universities. Administration needs data to plan and take decision concerning programme of
public universities. The Nigerian educational system is faced with the problem of shortage of
current and reliable data for effective administration and management. The problems are more
pronounced in the higher institutions in the country. At the universities, the National
Commission Universities (NUC) Boss, He said, “I was totally disturbed that we could not lay our
hand on a verifiable statistics that would have to help us with our plans for our universities. That
made me to spend my first year as NUC boss studying some obvious inaccurate statistics being
brandished in different quarters regarding the current situation in our Nigerian universities
(NUC, 2018). (Ogunode 2022) identified inadequate funding, inadequate working materials,
shortage of professional data experts, poor capacity development of data mangers and inadequate
infrastructural facilities as the problems preventing effective data collection and distribution in
the Nigerian higher institutions.
Political Influence
Another big challenge facing the administration of public universities in Nigeria is the political
influence. The public universities have been designed to function with political office holders or
politician in the country. The school administrators of public universities are answerable to the
governing council constituted by the government to manage the affair of the public universities
in the country. (Ogunode & Musa 2022;Nyewusira2014) observed that political influence
manifested in the in the administration of public tertiary institutions through
employment/recruitment, the appointment of school administrators (VCs, Bursar, Registrar)
planning and establishment of public universities, location of universities, the appointment of
council members, expansion of National Universities Commission power and admission of
students. (Koko, 2015 and Ogunode& Abubakar, 2020) observed that the activities of these
governing councils is affecting effective administration of the public universities in Nigeria. The
alarming level of political interference in the administration of public universities in Nigeria is
frightening. The visitors of the universities who are the chief executives (president/governor)
have reserved powers to appoint the chancellors and constitute the governing council of
various universities under them and select their cronies as members. These appointees in turn
interfere in the internal management of the university such as selection of VCs and other
principal officers of the universities. This practice is seriously jeopardizing the administrations
of universities in Nigeria. (Ogunode, Atobauka, & Ayoko, 2023; Ogunode & Musa 2020)
concluded that there are many effects of political influence on the administration of Nigerian
public universities and some of them include; corruption, overconcentration, poor leadership,
uneven development and poor ranking of public universities.
Weak Universities Administrators
(Ogunode 2020) noted that appointment of weak administrators in the Nigerian public
universities is another big challenge facing the administration of public universities in Nigeria.
Many universities’ administrators appointed to head universities are not qualified and less
exposed to administration and management of universities. (Udida, Bassey, Udofia, & Egbona
as cited Ogunode submitted that some individuals appointed as vice chancellors of some
university are weak, not competent and lack administrative potentials; such appointees must
possess administrative qualities and must lead by example. The leader must have integrity,
must be knowledgeable, and practice modern types of management leadership styles. He or
she must be visionary and ready to adjust to situations in the system. The performance of the
administrator should be sustained through the proper utilization of material and human
resources in the achievement of the institutional goals and objectives. A lot of higher education
system managers do not poses the charisma, or good human relations needed for effective and
efficient leadership. As a result of the poor leadership and ineffective style of administration, a
lot of programme of activities are not carried out in such institutions such as provision of grant
for research and publications, staff welfare is neglected, no adequate control of staff and
students, no vision for the university. Such leaders also do not have the zeal for supervision and
monitoring of institutional activities. This can affect the system’s performance in that, workers
can result to a nonchalant attitude toward work and hence no sustainability or continuality of
good track records of performance in the system.
Insecurity
Insecurity is another problem facing the administration of public universities in Nigeria. Nigeria
is facing insecurity challenge and this is affecting the entire educational institutions in the
country. (Ogunode & Ukozor, 2022) noted that the Islamic sect called Boko haram meaning
western education is forbidden is attacking educational institutions in the Northern part of
Nigeria. (Ogunode, Okwelogu, Enyinnaya &Yahaya 2021) posited that many public universities
located in the Northern Nigeria have been victims of continuous attacks. Many students,
lecturers and administrators have been killed while others kidnapped. The various attacks on the
universities have resulted to school closure leading to unstable academic programme. (Obi 2015)
observed that insecurity and terrorism has been a major challenge to the Nigerian government in
recent times. The activities of the Islamic sect (Boko Haram) had led to loss of lives and
properties in the country especially in the Northern part of Nigeria. Some of these activities
include bombing, suicide bomb attacks, sporadic shooting of unarmed and innocent citizens,
burning of police stations, churches, kidnapping of school girls and women, etc. Kidnapping,
rape, armed robbery and political crises, murder, destruction of oil facilities by Niger Delta
militants alongside the attacks carried out by Fulani Herdsmen on some communities in the
North and South have been another major insecurity challenge facing the country. Nigeria has
been included among one of the terrorist countries of the world. Many lives and properties have
been lost and a large number of citizens rendered homeless. Families have lost their loved ones.
Many women are now widows. Children become orphans with no hope of the future. This has
implications for national development. (Ogunode, Ukozor & Ayoko, 2023) concluded that
insecurity challenges in Nigeria have affected teaching, research, community services
programme of higher education in Nigeria. The result also revealed that insecurity challenges
have led to a reduction in the investment in higher education, led to the death of students,
academic and non-academic staff and the destruction of infrastructural facilities in Nigeria.
Strikes Actions
Strike actions by unions in the universities have disrupted university administration. Nigerian
universities are known for continuous strike actions which is inimical to the development of the
universities. (Odim, Annastashia & Solomon 2018; Lawan, & Ogunode 2021) observed that
whenever there is strike action in any higher institutions its will affects the entire activities and
programme in the institutions. Teaching, researching and community service programme are
always brought to stand still during strike according to (Ogunode, Ugochukwu, & Iroegbu,
2022). It has become a known fact that students across various universities in Nigeria are
constantly faced with industrial actions embarked upon by the Academic and Non-Academic
Staff Unions of various institutions. The disagreement or lack of understanding between
government and unions arising from non-implementation of agreement reached, often results
in deadlock that usually disrupts academic calendar (Ogunode, Ugochukwu, & Jegede, 2022;
Odetunde 2004; Ogbondah 2010). As academic activities are suspended for a long period, the
students reading abilities fell. Even the previous knowledge acquired is even forgotten by some
students. This mostly turns some students into certificates seekers than knowledge seekers
(Ogbondah, 2013). Planning activities, supervision activities and administrative activities are
suspended during strike action (Edinyang, & Ubi, 2013; Uzoh. 2017). There are a lot of reasons
for the strike actions in Nigeria. According to (Dekiewiet 2009) who stated that fundamental to
grievance leading to strikes include the common purpose of labour to protest its interest, all
bars which block practically all opportunities of promotion. Also the insensitivity of
management to students’ grievances cause strike actions in institutions of higher learning. Of a
truth, management past often forgets their vows. An Assistant Lecturer today may rise to
become the Vice Chancellor tomorrow: a junior clerk or messenger may become a Bursar or
Registrar of the institution tomorrow. Also, unnecessary interference by governments on
campus politics and life as well as adverse government policy decisions on tertiary institutions
have been revealed by the work as causes of strike actions. No wonder the agitations for
university autonomy and freedom.
Brain-Drain
Brain-drain in the universities has affected smooth university administration because it has
caused shortage of academic staff in the system. For an effective university administration to
occur there is need for adequate academic and non-academic staff in the system. The absent of
the right qualities and quantities of staff will definitely affects teaching and learning
programme which is one of the cardinal assignment of the university administration. Ogunode
(2020) posited that brain-drain is a major challenge to an effective university administration in
Nigeria. Brain-drain refers to the movement of professionals from developing countries to
developed countries for a better job offers (Ogunode & Atobauka, 2021). Brain-drain is a
situation whereby professional individuals are migrating from their countries to another
country to seek greener pasture. Many lecturers and researchers are leaving public universities
in Nigeria to other part of African countries and Europe for a better job offer and conducive
working environment (Ogunode 2020). (Ogunode, Ugochukwu, & Jegede 2022) acknowledged
that many lecturers and researchers are leaving the Nigerian university system every year due
to poor welfare packages and unstable academic calendar. Factors responsible for Brain-drain
in Nigerian public universities (Ogunode 2020; Ogunode & Atobauka, 2021) include; poor
motivation, an unconducive working environment, insecurity, underfunding and political
interferences. The implication of brain drain in the Nigerian public universities includes; a
shortage of lecturers, poor quality of education and a high student-teacher ratio.
Corruption
Corruption in the administration of universities have hampered and frustrated the
administration of universities in Nigeria. Funds allocated for infrastructural facilities
development that ought to have been deployed to support the curriculum implementation are
looted or diverted (Chuta, 2004; Dawood, 2012; Ogunode, 2020). In 2018, the Socio-Economic
Rights and Accountability Project claimed that there were allegations of corruption in several
federal universities relating to the unfair allocation of grades; contract inflation; truncation of
staff’s salary on the payroll; employment of unqualified staff; certificate scandal; examination
malpractice; sexual harassment; and issuance of results for expelled students to graduate.
(Saharareporters 2017) submitted that the former Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of
Petroleum Resources (FUPRE) in Effurun, Delta State, was arrested alongside other top
management staff at the institution over an N300 million fraud scandal, Sahara Reporters
quoted a senior lecturer at the institution that said corruption and fraud “run in the DNA of the
Vice Chancellor,” adding that since the fraud was uncovered, and other top management staff
have been “running from pillar to post.” According to the management staff of the institution,
the scandal involves the N300 million National Economic Empowerment and Development
Strategy (NEEDS) assessment fund granted to the institution. Rather than use the fund to
finance building projects, it was diverted by one of the admin and other staff of the university.
“The NEEDS assessment fund was intended for the building of structures in the school, but this
was not done,” the source said. “Over N300 million was diverted by the VC and his gang.
Instead of using the money for the purpose, it was meant for. (Ogunode, Josiah, & Ajape 2021)
identified the following as the reasons for high financial corruption in the public universities in
Nigeria: corrupt school administrators, lecturers and students; weak monitoring and evaluation
system; weak trade unions; political interference; weak educational system; and poor
accountability system. Also, (Ogunode, Ohunene & Olatunde-Aiyedun (2022) concluded the
implication of financial corruption on the public universities in Nigeria including a reduction in
the volume of funds, inadequate facilities, shortage of staff, poor quality of university
education, poor academic programme accreditation status, strike actions, and bad international
image. .
Policy Instability
Policy instability has affected university administration in Nigeria. In Nigeria educational
policies are always subjected to changes including the universities. Policy instability has affected
the development of the universities. (Ogunode, Akinyode, & Ayoko 2023) defined policy
instability as a constant change in educational policies as a result of changes in government. It is
the variation in the educational policies of a country. Educational policy instability is the change
in educational policies, in the entire educational system or sub-system. Each government
rationalized the policy on education on its own accord. Policies instability is part and parcel of
the Nigerian education system. (NOUN 2010) asserted that the educational system in Nigeria has
witnessed various policy enactments and plans. Unfortunately, many of them never saw the light
of the day. In a few cases, they are implemented, but not full implementation. Many end up on
the papers either as a blueprint or white paper. Many well-intended policies in the past were
aborted in the course of implementation. This was common during military rule when the polity
was very unstable due to coups and counter-coups. A new regime of rulers always failed to
sustain the implementation of the educational policies and programmes of their predecessors.
The instability of governance did a lot of havoc in this regard for a long time in the country.
(Ogunode, Akinyode, & Ayoko 2023; Odukoya, Bowale, & Okunlola, 2018;Manafa, 2011;
Martins2005) identified reasons for policy instability in the Nigerian educational sector to
include; capital-intensive implementation plan, poor consultation, change in government, poor
coordination and co-operations, the appointment of Non-professionals as heads of educational

institutions, changes in educational system and practices and poor formulation of educational
policies. They also concluded that the effects of the instability of educational policies in Nigeria.
Some of the implications include; wastage of educational resources, low space of development in
education and increased in administrative and management expenditure
Conclusion and Recommendations
University education in Nigeria is very critical to the socio-economic and technological
advancement. One of the objectives of the university education is manpower development and
production. The realization of the university education depends on effective university
administration. This paper discussed the problems facing university administration in Nigeria.
The paper concluded that poor funding, shortage of infrastructure facilities, shortage of
academic staff, lack of autonomy, integration of the universities into the Integrated Payroll and
Personnel Information System (IPPIS), inadequate current data, political influence, weak
universities’ Administrators, insecurity, strikes actions, Brain-drain, corruption and policy
instability are the problems facing the university administration in Nigeria. Based on these
problems, the paper hereby recommended the following:
1) Increment the funding of universities education;
2) Provide adequate infrastructural facilities to all the public universities;
3) Employ more academic staff in all universities;
4) Government should grant full autonomy to all universities;
5) Government should remove all the universities from Integrated Payroll and Personnel
Information System (IPPIS);
6) Government should ensure that current data are generated timely in the tertiary institution
especially in the universities;
7) The government should remove their hands from influencing the universities politically;
8) Government should appoint universities administrators base on merit and competencies;
9) Government should address all problems fueling insecurity in Nigeria and ensure adequate
security are provided in all the universities;
10). Ensure agreement reached with different union groups in the public universities are
implemented to avoid strike actions in the public universities; and
11). Motivate all the academic staff by increasing their salaries and welfare packages;
12). Direct all its anti-corruption agencies to monitor all the funds released to the public
universities for implementation of their programme and for capital development;
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International Journal on Integrated Education e-ISSN : 2620 - 3502

p-ISSN : 2615 - 3785

University Administration in Nigeria

Madu Christian Onyekachi

Keywords: Administration, University system

Problem of University Administration in Nigeria

detrimental to higher educational institution performance and development aspiration as quality

Inadequate Current Data

coordination and co-operations, the appointment of Non-professionals as heads of educational

4. Akpan, C. P. (2011). Quality assurance management in higher education. In: Bassey, S. U.

26. Manafa, I, F. (2011) The Administrative Constraints to Policy Implementation in Federal

27. Nyewusira, B.N. (2014). Politics in Nigerian university education, 1925-2010: A

Standards (CCMAS) in North-East, Nigeria Universities. Analytical Journal of Education

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