Challenges in the Attainment of Qualitative University Education in Nigeria: A Case Study on Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka

Abstract

The major thrust of tertiary education in Nigeria is for transformation and national development. The study was purposed to investigate the emerging problems bedevilling tertiary education such as excessive workload for lecturers, overcrowded student population and politicization of education. Three research questions guided the study while three hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance. Out of 118 lecturers in the faculty of education, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, 50 was drawn randomly as the sample for the study. Three experts validated the instrument. A twenty item researchers’ structured questionnaire was used for data collection and analysed using mean and z-test. The reliability of the instrument was determined using Cronbach Alpha method which yielded an index of 0.85, this was considered adequate. Findings showed that excessive workload and overcrowded population demean lecturers and students output respectively and bring about falling standard in university education. Based on the findings, it was recommended among others that employment of additional qualified personnel is imminent. Also government should release more funds to tertiary institutions to cushion the effect of students over population.