PERCEPTIONS OF STAKEHOLDERS ON THE ADMINISTRATION OF PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES IN NIGERIA

SAGIR, Isa1 and ABUBAKAR, Sule2

Abstract

This study investigated the perceptions of stakeholders on the administration of private
universities in Nigeria. Two aspects of university administration were examined which include
Conduct of admissions and Maintenance of discipline in private universities in Nigeria. Two
objectives, two research questions, two null hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. A
review of related literature was made which concepts of perceptions, stakeholders, educational
administration, university administration amongst others were literally reviewed. Classical
organizational theory of Fredrick Taylor of scientific management school was adopted as a
theoretical framework to guide the study. Two empirical studies were also reviewed. The
descriptive survey method of research was adopted. The population is made up of six groups of
the respondents who are 50 officials of National Universities Commission (NUC) 18 officials of
Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), 255 proprietors, 825 management staff,
12,000 academic staff and 22500 non-academic staff of private universities in Nigeria totalling
35,618. Using purposive sampling techniques, a sample of 1,200 respondents were selected and
used. A structured questionnaire made up of 120 statements on five points Likert rating scale
validated by experts with a computed reliability-coefficient of 0.813 level was administered on
the selected respondents. The data was selected by proxy and personally. 1,200 questionnaires
were administered and 934 copies were returned and used for the data analysis. The two
hypotheses were tested and retained at 0.05 level of significance. The statistical tools used
include simple percentages, mean, standard deviation and one-way analysis of variance
(ANOVA). The major findings of the study are that improper admission exercises were
conducted by private universities and that Discipline was fairly maintained in private universities
in Nigeria. The study recommends that JAMB and NUC should monitor the frameworks and
standard on which private universities admit students especially in cases of newly licensed or
approved private universities and there should be strict observance of the rules and regulations of
the school by both staff and students. This would go a long way at curtailing issues of
examinations malpractices, cultism and unnecessary fraternizations. In other words, appropriate
sanctions must be given to erring staff and students.