CHALLENGES IN OWNERSHIP AND FUNDING PRACTICES OF TERTIARY LEVEL OF EDUCATION IN NIGERIA

Abstract

This study was designed to find out challenges in ownership and funding practices in tertiary level of education in Nigeria. The study employed a descriptive survey design to select a sample of 254 staff and 5 tertiary institutions from the south-eastern states. The tertiary institutions were drawn from federal, state, religious groups and private wealthy individuals in Nigeria who own, fund and administer these institutions. Ten percent (10%) of the 150 tertiary institutions and 2540 staff were selected for the study. Three research questions and one, null hypothesis tested at 0.05 level of significance guided the study. The instrument used for data collection was developed by the researchers on the four point Likert type scale to elicit information from the academic and non-academic staff. Two experts each, from the measurement and evaluation and Educational Management validated the instrument while its reliability was 0.81 using Cronbach Alpha. The data collected were analyzed using mean scores for the three research questions and test for the one null hypothesis. The result identified funds as the major challenges the owners of tertiary institutions in south-eastern states of Nigeria encounters most in terms of provision of physical facilities and equipment, instructional materials, payment of staff salaries and allowances amongst other challenges. It therefore recommended to education administrators to source for an alternative means of funding its activities by engaging in such ventures as consultancy services, sale of proceeds from its internal activities and seeking for foreign collaborators for grants, donations and loans to enhance teaching and learning