Alternative modes of financing higher education in Nigeria and implications for university governance

ABSTRACT IN ENGLISH: The problems of under-funding and over-reliance on government funds remain a clog in the wheel for university governance in Nigeria. The inadequate funding of the universities has had profound effects on teaching and research, while universities in Nigeria have been forced to em...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Africa development 2002-01, Vol.XXVII (1-2), p.236-262
Main Author: Aina, Olabisi I
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Development studies
Financing methods
Fund-raising
Governance
Higher education
Interviews
Nigeria
Regional studies
Universities
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Summary:ABSTRACT IN ENGLISH: The problems of under-funding and over-reliance on government funds remain a clog in the wheel for university governance in Nigeria. The inadequate funding of the universities has had profound effects on teaching and research, while universities in Nigeria have been forced to embark on income generating projects in order to source alternative funds. Using data from a recent study, this essay explores different alternative modes of financing higher education in Nigeria, and the implications for university governance. Four Nigerian universities were surveyed, while field data were collected using the questionnaire survey method, in-depth interview, direct observation of facilities and infrastructures, and focus group discussions (FGDs). The study found that Nigerian universities are now opening up to new innovations in the area of sourcing non-governmental funds. The process has serious implications for the quality of teaching and research, while commercial ventures being generated are fraught with problems of management, including issues of accountability, profitability, and sustainability. The paper prescribes ways of overcoming some of the governance problems confronting the university system in Nigeria, as it grapples with economic realities, and the achievement of its original mission statement - teaching and research, and the building of human minds. // ABSTRACT IN FRENCH: Les problèmes liés à l'insuffisance des financements, et la dépendance accrue sur les fonds alloués par l'État constituent une entrave à la gestion de l'université au Nigeria. L'inadéquation du financement des universités a, sans nul doute, eu d'importantes conséquences sur l'enseignement et la recherche, et les universités nigérianes ont été obligées d'initier des projets générateurs de revenus pour trouver des fonds alternatifs. En se servant des données tirées d'une étude récente, cet essai explore les divers modes alternatifs de financement de l'enseignement supérieur au Nigeria, et les implications quant à la gestion de l'université. L'étude a porté sur quatre universités, tandis que les données de terrain ont été collectées selon la méthode d'enquête par questionnaire, des interviews élaborées, une observation directe des équipements et des groupes de discussion cibles. L'étude montre que les universités nigérianes innovent dans la recherche de financement en dehors de l'État. Cette innovation a de sérieuses répercussions sur la qualité de l'enseignement et
ISSN:0850-3907