3 - The Quality of Nigeria’s Private Universities*
Journal of Higher Education in Africa,
Vol. 6 No. 1 (2008): Journal of Higher Education in Africa
Abstract
This study is about the quality of private universities in Nigeria. Three of them (Babcock, Bowen and Igbinedion), two mission-sponsored and one that is owned by an entrepreneur, were studied using six indicators of quality assurance that are outlined by GOS Ekhaguere for similar work in African universities. First, the data indicate that the institutions mount academic programmes in science, hu- manities and, most especially, in the social and management sciences. Second, there is gender parity among students and disparity among staff. Third, the mis- sion institutions are better positioned to give quality education. However, these private universities need to strengthen their staff and improve access to informa- tion and communication technologies. There is also room for improving the physical facilities. Overall, the study concludes that while it may be worthwhile to encour- age private investors in higher education, this should not be at the expense of public universities because the latter’s academic programmes are much more di- versified than those which are offered by the former.
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- Adam, L., 2003, ‘Information and Communication Technologies in Higher Edu- cation in Africa: Initiatives and Challenges’, Journal of Higher Education in Africa, Vol. 1, No. 1, 195-221.
- Ade-Ajayi, J.F., 2001, ‘Paths to Sustainability of Higher Education in Nigeria’, in the Proceedings of Paths to Sustainability of Higher Education in Nigeria, Abuja: Social Science Academy of Nigeria, 1-11.
- Adalemo, I.A., 2001, ‘Higher Education in Nigeria: Institutional Inadequacies, System Performance and Sustainability’, The Nigerian Social Scientist, Vol. 4, No. 2 (September), 23-29.
- Adesina, A. & Awonusi, O., 2004, ‘Reflections on Nigeria’s Universities in the Past Decade’, The Nigerian Social Scientist, Vol. 7, No.1 (March), 7-11.
- Africa-America Institute & Association of African Universities, 2003, ‘How are African Universities Responding to the HIV/AIDS Pandemic?’ African Per- spectives, A Discussion on Yahoo Groups concluded on April 2, 2003.
- Alubo, S.O., 1999, ‘Globalisation and the Changing Role of Universities in Ni- geria’, The Nigerian Social Scientist, Vol. 2, No. 1 (March), 11-15.
- Ashby, E., 1960, Investing in Education: The Report of the Commission on Post School Certificate in Higher Education, Lagos: Government Printer.
- Association of African Universities, 2000, A Study on Private Universities in Af- rica, Accra: AAU.
- Association of African Universities, 2006, Directory of African Higher Education Institutions Responding o the Threat of HIV/AIDS, Vol. 1, Accra, Ghana: Work- ing Group on Higher Education (WHGE).
- Association of Commonwealth Universities, 2006, Commonwealth Universities in the Age of HIV/AIDS: What Every Senior Executive Needs to Know, No- vember, file://F:Commonwealth Universities and AIDS Policy.htm
- Ayandele, E.A., 1974, The Educated Elite in Nigerian Society, Ibadan: University Press.
- Ayim, J.S.K., 2002, ‘African Universities Response to Current Emerging Issues in Africa’, AAU, November 12, file://F:AU Day Celebration Papers.htm
- Banjo, A., 2004, ‘Quality in Nigeria Education: A Keynote Address,’ Proceedings on Assuring Quality in School Practices and Strategies, 1st National Confer- ence, Institute of Education, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Nigeria. Bature, A., 2004, ‘Income-Generating Activities in Higher Education: The Case of Kigali Institute of Science, Technology and Management (KIST),’ Journal of Higher Education in Africa, Vol. 2, No. 3, 37-54.
- Bloom, D., Canning, D., and Chan, K., 2005, ‘Higher Education and Economic Development in Africa’, research commissioned by the World Bank (AFHD), http://www.worldbank.org/.
- Chetty, D., 2006, Institutionalising the Response to HIV/AIDS in South African University Sector: A SAUVCA Analysis, file://F:Institutionalising the Response to HIV-AIDS in the South African University Sect., 6/11/2006.
- Clark, N., ‘Education in Nigeria, World Education News & Reviews’, Vol. 17, September/October, http://www.wes.org/ewenr/04Sept/practical.htm.
- Dovlo, D., 2004, ‘The Brain Drain in Africa: An Emerging Challenge to Health Professionals’ Education’, Journal of Higher Education in Africa, Vol. 2, No. 3, 1-19.
- Ekhaguere, G.O.S., 2001, Quality Evaluation Guide, Accra: Association of Afri- can Universities.
- Ekong, E.E., 2002, Management Style in Nigerian Universities under Military Rule and the Challenges of Democracy – How Democratic Can University Management Be? Accra: Association of African Universities.
- Erinosho, L., 2004, ‘Challenges in Higher Education in Nigeria’, The Nigerian Social Scientist, Vol. 7, No. 2 (September), 31-38.
- Ford Foundation, 2001, Pipeline Issues in Higher Education in West Africa, La- gos, Nigeria: Ford Foundation.
- Hoebink, P. & Zaden, A. van der, 2004, ‘Raising Too Many Expectations? Com- ments on the World Bank report Constructing Knowledge Societies: New Chal- lenges for Tertiary Education’, Journal of Higher Education in Africa, Vol. 2, No. 2, 123-132.
- International Network for Higher Education, 2005, Publication of Private Higher Education and Privatisation in Africa’, http://www.bc.edu/bc_org/avp/soe/cihe/ ihea/pubs_theme/private_Higher _Education_.and.. Ishengoma, M.J., 2004, ‘Cost-sharing in Higher Education in Tanzania: Fact or Fiction?’ Journal of Higher Education in Africa, Vol. 2, No. 2, 101-134.
- Jibril, M., 2004, ‘How to Construct a Knowledge Society: The World Bank’s New Challenges for Tertiary Education’, Journal of Higher Education in Africa, Vol. 2, No. 3, 133-138.
- Johnstone, D.B., 2004, ‘Higher Education Finance and Accessibility: Tuition Fees and Student Loans in Sub-Saharan Africa’, Journal of Higher Education in Africa, Vol. 2, No. 2, 11-36.
- Jibril, M., 2004, ‘Nigeria, International Network for Higher Education in Africa’, http://www.bc.edu/bc_org/avp/soc/cihe/ihea/profile/Nigeria.htm.
- Kelly, M.J., 2001, Challenging the Challenger – Understanding and Expanding the Response of Universities in Africa to HIV/AIDS, A Synthesis Report for the Working Group on Higher Education (WGHE), Association for the Devel- opment of Education in Africa (ADEA), January.
- Knight, J., 2004, ‘Cross Border Education as Trade: Issues for Consultation, Policy Review and Research,’ Journal of Higher Education in Africa, Vol. 2, No. 3, 55-82.
- Mayanja, M. K., Adebua F.N., Kabuye, M.K., Kaase-Bwanga, E., 2001, A Com- parative Study of Makerere University Graduates of the Faculties of Arts and Sciences, Accra: Association of African Universities.
- Oanda, I.O., 2005, ‘New frontiers of Exclusion: Private Higher Education and Women’s Opportunities in Kenya,’ Journal of Higher Education in Africa, Vol. 3, No. 3, 87-106.
- Obasi, I., 2002, ‘An Empirical Study of Cost Sharing Crisis in Nigerian Universi- ties’, paper read at the Association of African Universities Conference, Dakar, Senegal, February 11-13.
- Obikoya, J.O., 2002, ‘University Education Funding Policy in Nigeria’, The Ni- gerian Social Scientist, Vol. 5, No. 1 (March), 40-48.
- Otaala, B., 2006, The Universities Response to HIV/AIDS: Selected Examples from Africa file//: F:Universities and AIDS Projects in Africa.htm
- Ukeje, B.O., 2002, ‘Financing Education in Nigeria’, The Nigerian Social Scien- tist, Vol. 5, No. 1 (March), 31-39.
- Ruth, D., 2005, ‘Gender and Perception of Academic Work in South Africa’, Journal of Higher Education in Africa, Vol. 3, No. 3, 57-86.
- Sawyerr, A., 2002, ‘The Public Good in African Higher Education: Selected Is- sues for Policy’, The Nigerian Social Scientist, Vol. 5, No. 1 (March), 25-30. Sawyerr, A., 2004, ‘African Universities and the Challenge of Research Capacity Development’, Journal of Higher Education in Africa, Vol. 2, No. 1, 213-242.
- Stremlau, J. and Nkosi, N., 2001, ‘The Crisis at South African Universities’, Bos- ton Globe, 9, file://F:The AIDS Crisis at South African Universities Interna- tional Development Resear.. 6/11/20 06.
- Social Science Academy of Nigeria, 2001, Paths to Sustainability of Higher Edu- cation in Nigeria, Proceedings of the 12th General Assembly of SSAN, Abuja: SSAN.
- Social Science Academy of Nigeria, 2003, Ethics in Higher Education in Nigeria, Proceedings of the 13th General Assembly of SSAN, Abuja: SSAN.
- Thaver, B., 2004, ‘Private Higher Education in Africa: Six Country Case Stud- ies’, in P.T. Zeleza & A. Olukoshi eds. African Universities in the Twenty-First Century, Dakar: CODESRIA.
- Useem, A., 1999a, ‘In East Africa, New Private Colleges Fill a Growing Gap Between Supply and Demand’, The Chronicle of Higher Education, 46, 3: A65-A66.
- Useem, A., 1999b, ‘Muslim in East Africa Develop their own Higher-Education Options’, The Chronicle of Higher Education, 46, 13: A69.
- Van den Berghe & Nuttney, C.M., 1969, ‘Social Characteristics of University of Ibadan Students’, The Nigerian Journal of Economic and Social Studies, Vol. 11, No. 3, (November), 35-377.
- World Bank, 2001, ‘Sub-Saharan Africa: HIV/AIDS on University Campuses’, Human Development, August, 188.
- Yesufu, T.M., ed., 1973, Creating the African University – Emerging Issues of the 1970s, published for the Association of African Universities by Oxford Uni- versity Press.
- Zeleza, P.T., 2003, ‘Academic Freedom in the Neo-liberal Order: Governments, Globalization, Governance and Gender’, Journal of Higher Education in Africa, Vol. 1, No.1, 149-194.
References
Adam, L., 2003, ‘Information and Communication Technologies in Higher Edu- cation in Africa: Initiatives and Challenges’, Journal of Higher Education in Africa, Vol. 1, No. 1, 195-221.
Ade-Ajayi, J.F., 2001, ‘Paths to Sustainability of Higher Education in Nigeria’, in the Proceedings of Paths to Sustainability of Higher Education in Nigeria, Abuja: Social Science Academy of Nigeria, 1-11.
Adalemo, I.A., 2001, ‘Higher Education in Nigeria: Institutional Inadequacies, System Performance and Sustainability’, The Nigerian Social Scientist, Vol. 4, No. 2 (September), 23-29.
Adesina, A. & Awonusi, O., 2004, ‘Reflections on Nigeria’s Universities in the Past Decade’, The Nigerian Social Scientist, Vol. 7, No.1 (March), 7-11.
Africa-America Institute & Association of African Universities, 2003, ‘How are African Universities Responding to the HIV/AIDS Pandemic?’ African Per- spectives, A Discussion on Yahoo Groups concluded on April 2, 2003.
Alubo, S.O., 1999, ‘Globalisation and the Changing Role of Universities in Ni- geria’, The Nigerian Social Scientist, Vol. 2, No. 1 (March), 11-15.
Ashby, E., 1960, Investing in Education: The Report of the Commission on Post School Certificate in Higher Education, Lagos: Government Printer.
Association of African Universities, 2000, A Study on Private Universities in Af- rica, Accra: AAU.
Association of African Universities, 2006, Directory of African Higher Education Institutions Responding o the Threat of HIV/AIDS, Vol. 1, Accra, Ghana: Work- ing Group on Higher Education (WHGE).
Association of Commonwealth Universities, 2006, Commonwealth Universities in the Age of HIV/AIDS: What Every Senior Executive Needs to Know, No- vember, file://F:Commonwealth Universities and AIDS Policy.htm
Ayandele, E.A., 1974, The Educated Elite in Nigerian Society, Ibadan: University Press.
Ayim, J.S.K., 2002, ‘African Universities Response to Current Emerging Issues in Africa’, AAU, November 12, file://F:AU Day Celebration Papers.htm
Banjo, A., 2004, ‘Quality in Nigeria Education: A Keynote Address,’ Proceedings on Assuring Quality in School Practices and Strategies, 1st National Confer- ence, Institute of Education, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Nigeria. Bature, A., 2004, ‘Income-Generating Activities in Higher Education: The Case of Kigali Institute of Science, Technology and Management (KIST),’ Journal of Higher Education in Africa, Vol. 2, No. 3, 37-54.
Bloom, D., Canning, D., and Chan, K., 2005, ‘Higher Education and Economic Development in Africa’, research commissioned by the World Bank (AFHD), http://www.worldbank.org/.
Chetty, D., 2006, Institutionalising the Response to HIV/AIDS in South African University Sector: A SAUVCA Analysis, file://F:Institutionalising the Response to HIV-AIDS in the South African University Sect., 6/11/2006.
Clark, N., ‘Education in Nigeria, World Education News & Reviews’, Vol. 17, September/October, http://www.wes.org/ewenr/04Sept/practical.htm.
Dovlo, D., 2004, ‘The Brain Drain in Africa: An Emerging Challenge to Health Professionals’ Education’, Journal of Higher Education in Africa, Vol. 2, No. 3, 1-19.
Ekhaguere, G.O.S., 2001, Quality Evaluation Guide, Accra: Association of Afri- can Universities.
Ekong, E.E., 2002, Management Style in Nigerian Universities under Military Rule and the Challenges of Democracy – How Democratic Can University Management Be? Accra: Association of African Universities.
Erinosho, L., 2004, ‘Challenges in Higher Education in Nigeria’, The Nigerian Social Scientist, Vol. 7, No. 2 (September), 31-38.
Ford Foundation, 2001, Pipeline Issues in Higher Education in West Africa, La- gos, Nigeria: Ford Foundation.
Hoebink, P. & Zaden, A. van der, 2004, ‘Raising Too Many Expectations? Com- ments on the World Bank report Constructing Knowledge Societies: New Chal- lenges for Tertiary Education’, Journal of Higher Education in Africa, Vol. 2, No. 2, 123-132.
International Network for Higher Education, 2005, Publication of Private Higher Education and Privatisation in Africa’, http://www.bc.edu/bc_org/avp/soe/cihe/ ihea/pubs_theme/private_Higher _Education_.and.. Ishengoma, M.J., 2004, ‘Cost-sharing in Higher Education in Tanzania: Fact or Fiction?’ Journal of Higher Education in Africa, Vol. 2, No. 2, 101-134.
Jibril, M., 2004, ‘How to Construct a Knowledge Society: The World Bank’s New Challenges for Tertiary Education’, Journal of Higher Education in Africa, Vol. 2, No. 3, 133-138.
Johnstone, D.B., 2004, ‘Higher Education Finance and Accessibility: Tuition Fees and Student Loans in Sub-Saharan Africa’, Journal of Higher Education in Africa, Vol. 2, No. 2, 11-36.
Jibril, M., 2004, ‘Nigeria, International Network for Higher Education in Africa’, http://www.bc.edu/bc_org/avp/soc/cihe/ihea/profile/Nigeria.htm.
Kelly, M.J., 2001, Challenging the Challenger – Understanding and Expanding the Response of Universities in Africa to HIV/AIDS, A Synthesis Report for the Working Group on Higher Education (WGHE), Association for the Devel- opment of Education in Africa (ADEA), January.
Knight, J., 2004, ‘Cross Border Education as Trade: Issues for Consultation, Policy Review and Research,’ Journal of Higher Education in Africa, Vol. 2, No. 3, 55-82.
Mayanja, M. K., Adebua F.N., Kabuye, M.K., Kaase-Bwanga, E., 2001, A Com- parative Study of Makerere University Graduates of the Faculties of Arts and Sciences, Accra: Association of African Universities.
Oanda, I.O., 2005, ‘New frontiers of Exclusion: Private Higher Education and Women’s Opportunities in Kenya,’ Journal of Higher Education in Africa, Vol. 3, No. 3, 87-106.
Obasi, I., 2002, ‘An Empirical Study of Cost Sharing Crisis in Nigerian Universi- ties’, paper read at the Association of African Universities Conference, Dakar, Senegal, February 11-13.
Obikoya, J.O., 2002, ‘University Education Funding Policy in Nigeria’, The Ni- gerian Social Scientist, Vol. 5, No. 1 (March), 40-48.
Otaala, B., 2006, The Universities Response to HIV/AIDS: Selected Examples from Africa file//: F:Universities and AIDS Projects in Africa.htm
Ukeje, B.O., 2002, ‘Financing Education in Nigeria’, The Nigerian Social Scien- tist, Vol. 5, No. 1 (March), 31-39.
Ruth, D., 2005, ‘Gender and Perception of Academic Work in South Africa’, Journal of Higher Education in Africa, Vol. 3, No. 3, 57-86.
Sawyerr, A., 2002, ‘The Public Good in African Higher Education: Selected Is- sues for Policy’, The Nigerian Social Scientist, Vol. 5, No. 1 (March), 25-30. Sawyerr, A., 2004, ‘African Universities and the Challenge of Research Capacity Development’, Journal of Higher Education in Africa, Vol. 2, No. 1, 213-242.
Stremlau, J. and Nkosi, N., 2001, ‘The Crisis at South African Universities’, Bos- ton Globe, 9, file://F:The AIDS Crisis at South African Universities Interna- tional Development Resear.. 6/11/20 06.
Social Science Academy of Nigeria, 2001, Paths to Sustainability of Higher Edu- cation in Nigeria, Proceedings of the 12th General Assembly of SSAN, Abuja: SSAN.
Social Science Academy of Nigeria, 2003, Ethics in Higher Education in Nigeria, Proceedings of the 13th General Assembly of SSAN, Abuja: SSAN.
Thaver, B., 2004, ‘Private Higher Education in Africa: Six Country Case Stud- ies’, in P.T. Zeleza & A. Olukoshi eds. African Universities in the Twenty-First Century, Dakar: CODESRIA.
Useem, A., 1999a, ‘In East Africa, New Private Colleges Fill a Growing Gap Between Supply and Demand’, The Chronicle of Higher Education, 46, 3: A65-A66.
Useem, A., 1999b, ‘Muslim in East Africa Develop their own Higher-Education Options’, The Chronicle of Higher Education, 46, 13: A69.
Van den Berghe & Nuttney, C.M., 1969, ‘Social Characteristics of University of Ibadan Students’, The Nigerian Journal of Economic and Social Studies, Vol. 11, No. 3, (November), 35-377.
World Bank, 2001, ‘Sub-Saharan Africa: HIV/AIDS on University Campuses’, Human Development, August, 188.
Yesufu, T.M., ed., 1973, Creating the African University – Emerging Issues of the 1970s, published for the Association of African Universities by Oxford Uni- versity Press.
Zeleza, P.T., 2003, ‘Academic Freedom in the Neo-liberal Order: Governments, Globalization, Governance and Gender’, Journal of Higher Education in Africa, Vol. 1, No.1, 149-194.