Higher Institutions In Nigeria Research Articles

Data Collection and Distribution in Nigerian Higher Institutions: Problems and Way Forward

Higher institutions in Nigeria are facing many challenges. One of such challenges is lack ofcreditable data to plan and to take decisions on development of the institutions. This paper is aim todiscuss the problems of data collection and distribution in the Nigerian higher institutions. Secondarydata were employed to discuss the various points raised in the paper. The secondary data were sourcedfrom both hard ware and software resources. The paper identified inadequate funding, inadequateworking materials, shortage of professional data experts, poor capacity development of data mangersand inadequate infrastructural facilities as the problems preventing effective data collection anddistribution in the Nigerian higher institutions. To address these problems, the paper recommended thatthe government should increase the funding of higher institutions, more professional data mangersshould be employed, adequate working tools should be provided, training and retraining programmeshould be constantly provided for data mangers and school administrators should provide allinfrastructural facilities needed by units and departments handling data management in the varioushigher institutions in the country.

Evaluating the impact of COVID-19 pandemic lockdown on education in Nigeria: Insights from teachers and students on virtual/online learning

BackgroundAs in many countries worldwide, due to the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, higher institutions in Nigeria closed in March 2020 and only began reopening in October of the same year. As a result of the lockdown, some higher institutions had to quickly move from the traditional face-to-face teaching method to virtual learning. This study aimed to investigate the impact of COVID-19 lockdown on education in Nigeria and also provide recommendations that may be useful in developing remote teaching contingency strategies. Five-point Likert-scale questionnaire targeting students and teachers separately was designed to get feedbacks from both students and teachers on their experiences, issues and successes. The questionnaires were divided into five categories: virtual classrooms, course learning outcomes, alternative method of assessment, impact of online teaching and satisfaction.ResultsA total of 703 students and 60 teachers from five different local universities participated in this study. All participants (> 50%) had difficulties with Internet connection. Students (67%) as well as teachers (59%) agree that they had limited interactions with one another and this negatively influence student’s satisfaction (p < 0.01). While students were split on the most appropriate method of assessment, teachers (63%) believe assignments and oral examinations are more suitable for online teaching. Many teachers (66%) admitted that it was difficult assessing students’ abilities and performance. Some students (> 40%) were concerned about the number of assignments given. Most teachers (84%) believe there is an increase in tendency for examination malpractice when assessment was conducted virtually. Students had significantly (p < 0.05) higher marks in all courses during online assessment compared to previous session involving face-to-face teaching. About 83% of teachers admitted it was difficult explaining complex scientific concepts.ConclusionBased on the results of this study, we provided recommendations to help educational institutions in Nigeria develop remote teaching contingency strategies.

Work–Family Conflicts among Female Staff of Higher Institutions in Nigeria

Striking balance and maintaining harmony between work and family have always been a great challenge for women in general. This article examines factors that conflict between official responsibilities and family demand among female staff of higher institution of learning in Nigeria. A structured questionnaire is administered to female staff of higher institutions across the country. Hierarchical sampling technique is used to select female staff from each institution. Simple percentage and bar charts are used to present the socio-demographic characteristics of respondents. The mean responses for each factor are ranked and the first four ranked factors are discussed. Stress, mental fatigue, and psychological burnout/disorder are the major effects observed, while resuming and closing work at convenience is the major mechanism being used by women in tertiary institutions. Other highly ranked mechanisms are using a housekeeper/help, using a childcare center closer to workplace, and using help from colleagues in carrying out official assignments.

On the image promotion on social media by polytechnic students in Nigeria

The research examined the reasons polytechnic students join social media such as Instagram and what they intend to learn from celebrities on Instagram in order to have their ideal body image for self-esteem. The study identified different measures polytechnic students used to achieve desired body image and the level of psychological effect Instagram posts have on their body image. The analysis is based on the findings of a questionnaire survey carried out in two higher institutions in Nigeria (N=600). The results revealed Nigerian students are highly conscious of their body image (91.2%), they employed different measures to achieve their desired body image, the rate at which Nigerian students patronized products advertised on Instagram to acquire ideal beauty standard is relatively high (61.5%) and finally, level of psychological effect of Instagram posts on body image is approximately high (88%).

Strategies of the Dominican University Nigeria in Coping with the COVID-19 Pandemic

In this chapter, using qualitative research methods, I accounted for the strategies adopted by the management of Dominican University to help students continue their educational activities during COVID -19 pandemic. The challenges experienced by students using the online learning platform and strategies they devised to manage these challenges were also examined. The Dominican University switched to online learning method during the lock down. Students were faced with various challenges during their on line classes. These include erratic power supply, high cost of data bundle for Internet connection, and poor network connection among others. To manage these challenges, students resorted to the use of generators and power banks to charge their electronic devices, some went and lived with friends or relatives living in areas with stable network connection to receive their lectures. The online learning made the lecturers and students more Internet savvy and enabled students continued their lectures without disruption. However, students missed the face to face interaction with their lecturers and fellow students. Coming back on campus after the lock down, the management of Dominican University provided taps and wash hand basins at strategic places in the school, made compulsory the use of face masks as well as discourage the crowding of students at the cafeteria to ensure the students safety. The study recommended that for online learning to be effective in higher institutions in Nigeria there is need for stable power supply and good Internet connection. [End Page 43]

Unemployment Among Technical Students: Implication for Managers of Higher Education

The problem of unemployment among youths has remained unabated. This has cast doubt on the methods of instructions by lecturers. This study takes a critical review of some of the previous studies with an emphasis on employment statistics and employability skills. The paper x-ray the basic elements of employability skills and the latest statistics of youth unemployment in Africa particularly, Nigeria. The aim is to sensitize education managers of higher institutions in Nigeria about the danger inherent in turning out graduates massively without the corresponding skills to match them adequately with the world of work. Findings show that there is a persistent rise in the rate of youth unemployment because what the schools offered is not compliant with the labour market demand. The resulting skills played a significant role in increasing unemployment among Tertiary Education graduates. Therefore, the higher education curriculum needs to be modified to reflect the skills required of employers.

Mr Administration of Science Programme in Nigerian Higher Institutions: Issues, challenges and Way Forwards

The article discussed the challenges facing the administration of science program in higher institutions in Nigeria. Secondary data was used to support the points raised in the article. The secondary data were sourced from print material and online publication by recognized institutions and individual author. There are many challenges facing the administration science programme in Nigerian higher institutions. Some of the challenges include; inadequate funding, inadequate lecturers, inadequate infrastructural facilities, brain-drain and strike actions. To solve this challenges, this article recommends the following: government should increase the funding of science programme in higher institutions, provide adequate infrastructural facilities, ensure stable academic programme employment of more science lecturers and motivation of lecturers to prevent brain-drain.

Work-Family Conflicts among Female Staff of Higher Institutions in Nigeria

The responsibilities of a typical African woman in family upkeep are enormous, ranging from house chores, cooking to child-care and so on. Striking a balance and maintaining harmony between work and family have always been a great challenge for women in general. This paper examines factors that conflict between official responsibilities and family demand among female staff of higher institution of learning in Nigeria. Structured questionnaires were administered to selected female staff of higher institutions across the country. Hierarchical sampling technique was used to select female staff from a university, a polytechnic, and a college of education in six states of the country (one state per geopolitical zone in the country). Simple percentage and bar charts were used to present the socio-demographic characteristics of respondents. The mean responses for each factor were ranked and the first four ranked factors are discussed. All Cronbach’s alpha coefficients exceed 0.800 thresholds, validating all factors considered. Long working hours, inadequate working facilities and inadequate pay are major factors that cause conflicts between work and family among the respondents. Stress, mental fatigue and psychological burnout/disorder are the major effects observed while resuming and closing work at convenience is the major mechanism being used by women in tertiary institutions. Other highly ranked mechanisms are: using house keeper/help, using childcare centre closer to workplace, and help from colleagues in carrying out official assignments. Keywords: Work, Family, Conflicts, Female, Tertiary, Institution. DOI: 10.7176/JEP/11-27-09 Publication date: September 30 th 2020

Electrical/electronics technology education teachers attitude, engagement, and disposition towards actual usage of Mobile learning in higher institutions

The conventional teaching methods like the use of demonstration, lecture and project methods in teaching skilled/trade subjects is still persistent among higher institutions in Nigeria, therefore, this study examined Electrical/Electronics technology education teachers attitude, engagement and disposition towards actual usage of mobile learning in higher institutions. The sample for the study comprised 418 electrical/electronics technology education teachers using cluster sampling technique to select samples from higher institutions in three states in the geo-political zone. Data analysis was done with exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis. The study found out that teacher’s perceived ease of use significantly have positive direct link on actual usage of ML, teacher’s disposition positively linked with perceived ease of use, teacher’s psychological well-being and perceived usefulness positive linked while technical/technology teacher’s training linked negatively with perceived ease of use of ML. Extending TAM robustness, the study affirmed that technical teacher education training and psychological well-being are factors that could influence perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness towards actual usage of mobile learning.

Challenges facing the planning of higher education in federal capital territory, Abuja, Nigeria

Planning of Higher institutions in Nigeria and in Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria has always been confronted with many challenges. This purpose of this study was to investigate the challenges facing planning of higher institutions in Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria. A descriptive research method was adopted for the study. The total numbers of hundred (100) respondents were selected from various agencies and ministry of education using stratified and systematic sampling technique with the use questionnaires to collect information from respondents who participated in the study. The data collected were carefully analyzed using percentages supported by chi-square to represent the raw data in a meaningful manner. The questionnaire was validated by two lecturers from University of Abuja department of educational administration. Two research questions and one hypothesis were developed for the study. Test-retest reliability was employed for the study. Result collected and analyzed revealed that there is significant relationship between planning of higher institutions and challenges. This result also showed that political influence, political instability, inadequate data, inadequate fund to plan, pressure group, inadequate planning and poor capacity of planner are the challenges facing the planning of higher institutions. The paper recommends that the government should increase the budgetary allocation for educational planning in the country.

Integrating Learning Technologies (Mobile Devices) into the Teaching and Learning of English Language in Higher Institutions in Nigeria

Integrating Learning Technologies (Mobile Devices) into the Teaching and Learning of English Language in Higher Institutions in Nigeria

Relationship Between Organisational Effectiveness and Project Performance of SME Contractors: a Developing Country Perspective

Organisational effectiveness (OE) theory provides a veritable framework for examining organisational performance. This theory has, however, made a very little inroad into construction management literature, and there are limited discussions on the domains within which construction firms can measure their OE. Besides this, the extent to which corporate OE determines a contractor's project performance is not fully understood, primarily, in the small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) contractor context. Based on data from 53 projects in higher institutions in Nigeria, this study evaluated the measures of corporate OE of SME contractors and examined the contributions of the corporate OE of the firms to their project performance. By factor analysis, it was discovered that the SME contractors' corporate OE can be measured using corporate advantage, firm experience, firm certification and firm owner background. Using canonical correlation, a significant relationship was found between the OE of the firms and the measures of project performance. The analysis further revealed that project cost and quality performances are bettered by increases in firm certification and experience, although time performance tends to worsen as a result. In addition to identifying the domains for measuring an SME contractor's OE, this study shows that better firm experience does not necessarily improve a contractors' project time performance. Construction stakeholders and the public should beware of firms that only boast of an excellent corporate advantage and ownership by prominent persons in the society, but without adequate experience and certification.&#x0D; &#x0D; Keywords: Corporate Advantage, Firm Experience, Project Performance

STUDENTS' HOUSING SATISFACTION IN PRIVATE HIGHER INSTITUTIONS

Student housing is essential to the attainment of quality education, most especially in higher institutions were students come from far distance to study. While research abounds on happenings with regards to student housing in public higher institutions, there is a paucity of information on this situation within the private higher institutions. This study, therefore, presents the result of an investigation of the satisfaction of students with housing facilities in private higher institutions in Nigeria. The study adopted a survey design and quantitative data were gathered through the use of a questionnaire administered to 216 students selected through stratified random sampling. The students' residence satisfaction was assessed from the physical, and social/management stands. Data gathered were analysed using percentage, mean score and Mann-Whitney U-Test. The study revealed that on a general level, while private institution students are more satisfied with the social and management characteristics of the residence than the physical characteristics. The study observed that although overall satisfaction is derived, there is still adequate room for improvement in order to deliver better housing for students. The outcome of this study provides a possible direction for the management of private higher institutions in improving their students' housing delivery in order to achieve higher students' satisfaction.

Music and Sculpture, a Panacea for Combating Unemployment in Nigeria

In contemporary Nigeria, a large number of graduates are turned out from the different tertiary institutions of higher learning every year. The fact is that such graduates while in the school believe that they will be out of school rigour on graduation and will soon start life as soon as they are gainfully employed. But such dreams are in most cases shattered by the non-availability of jobs for such graduates. In the light of this, a good number of people who are graduates from the different higher institutions in Nigeria roam the streets in search of non-existing jobs. This paper deals with speciality areas of music and sculpture, the advantages and benefits inherent in these areas and their roles in generating employment with the major components highlighted. For Nigeria to attain the employment generation level of the post MDGs, there is a need to put in place vocational trainings that would enhance the right input of highly skilled human resources in music and sculpture to feed the labour market for the overall growth and development of the nation.

Artificial Intelligence in Libraries and Users Satisfaction in Higher Institutions in Nigeria

The study adopted a correlational research design to find out the relationship between Artificial Intelligence in Libraries and Users Satisfaction in Higher Institutions in Nigeria. The study covered six higher institutions with twelve Departments in Nigeria. The population of the study comprises of 300 lecturers and 3, 200 students from twelve Departments of different levels. A random sampling technique was adopted and Krejcie and Morgan method was used to determine the sample size of 346. A selfdesigned instrument was used with a four point scale. Based on the findings of this study, it is concluded that there was high level of roles played by artificial intelligence in the delivering of libraries services and high level of satisfaction by the users of artificial intelligence in the libraries of higher institutions in Nigeria. Among other things, the study recommends that libraries should intensify efforts in adopting artificial intelligence in the delivery of libraries services for libraries users to gain very high level satisfaction.

Application of Scientific Management Principles for Effective Management of Higher Institutions in Nigeria

Application of Scientific Management Principles for Effective Management of Higher Institutions in Nigeria

Are Biology Pre-service Teachers ready to Implement 21st Century Skill in Teaching and Learning in Nigeria?

The 21st century skills are important aspect of education in our present age. Numerous benefits of incorporating skill such as Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in education have been unearthed, therefore, ICT should be widely used in teaching and learning (TnL) processes. However, in order to use this skill in teaching, teachers have to possess certain level of readiness in terms of confidence; awareness and motivation; perception, training; knowledge and equipment. In relation to that, this study identified how ready the Biology pre-service teachers in Kaduna State, Nigeria are to implement the use of ICT in their teaching and if gender affect their level of readiness. The respondents comprised of 123 Biology pre-service teachers in two higher institutions in Nigeria. They were all final year students in the teacher education program (Bsc. Ed. Biology). Their readiness was assessed using questionnaire with four-point Likert scale. Descriptive statistics was implored to analyze data. Findings showed that Nigerian biology pre-service teachers were ready to implement ICT skill in TnL in terms of confidence, awareness and motivation, perception, knowledge and training but not ready in terms of equipment. Findings also showed that there was no significant difference between male and female biology pre-service teachers’ readiness to implement ICT skill in TnL processes. The study serves as a foundation for further studies to be conducted in other fields and on readiness of Nigerian pre-service teachers to implement other 21st century skills.

Impact of team members’ composition on construction projects delivery in selected higher institutions in Nigeria

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of team members’ composition on cost and time of completion of construction projects in selected higher institutions with a view to improving construction project delivery in Nigeria.Design/methodology/approachThe study used the purposive sampling technique to select two higher institutions out of six in the study area, and census survey was used in selecting 35 completed construction projects executed by the institutions within the time frame 2000 to 2013. A total of 191 questionnaires were distributed to obtain information from construction team members (quantity surveyors, architects, structural/civil engineers, services engineers, contractors and clients) who participated in the selected construction projects. Mean item score and Kendall’s test were used in examining team members’ composition, while the relationship between team members’ composition and construction cost and time was tested using t-test and eta-squared.FindingsThe results revealed that construction team members’ composition has a significant impact on the completion time of construction projects, though with small magnitude, while the impact of construction team members’ composition on construction cost is not significant. Also, it was revealed that some team members did not play any team role due to the fact that the main criterion for team members’ composition was knowledge, skill and abilities (KSA).Practical implicationsThe study finally recommended that a deliberate effort should be made in studying and ascertaining the team role every construction team member will play before appointing them to be member of a team, as improper team members’ composition could hamper effective construction project delivery in terms of completion time.Originality/valueThe study is an attempt to discourage the traditional construction team members’ selection system which was based on KSAs, which is deficient under team environment.

Social Distancing of College Students Toward Individuals Who Experienced Sexual Violence

Abstract The study investigated social distancing toward victims of sexual violence among college students in Lagos, Nigeria. It was a cross-sectional descriptive survey using self-administered questionnaires. Two hundred and thirty students were surveyed from two higher institutions in Nigeria over a 4-month period (March to July 2013), 62.6% (144) of the participants were not willing to be socially close to individuals who experienced sexual violence in situations that involved family relationships, while 68.7% (158) would not consider dating or getting married to individuals who experienced sexual violence. Significant differences in views were expressed between the younger and older age groups in situations that required family ties and dating relationships. A higher percentage of those in the younger age group (68%) would feel ashamed if the individual was a member of the family, while 46% of those in the older age group expressed similar view. In considering dating, 82% of those in the younger age g...

UNEMPLOYMENT IN NIGERIA: A TIME BOMB WAITING TO EXPLODE: ISSUES, DIAGNOSES AND THE WAY FORWARD

The incidence of unemployment in Nigeria in this 21st ce ntury is alarming. Over 80% of graduates from higher institutions in Nigeria are unemploy ed , this is in spite of their qualifications . The inability of the higher educational institutions to meet the needs of these graduates, as well as promote their economic self- reliance and self- sufficiency has resulted inmassive unemployment in Nigeria. Unemployment constitutes a serious developmental problem and is increasing at an alarming rate all over Nigeria. It hinders the growth of the economy as it affects the socio-economic and political aspects of life. Unemployment leads to poverty. The paper examines the causes of unemployment in Nigeria and i ts effects on the economy. It identifies those who are mostly affected by the unemployme nt scourge. This thesis relied mainly on secondary sources of data gleaned from existing literatur e on the causes of unemployment and suggests possible solutions to the unemployment bomb that is waiting to explode in Nigeria. The paper believes that education is critical to making Nigerian youths more employable. It also holds the view that there is need for the army of the unemployed in Nigeria to embrace skill acquisition. Furthermore, the agricultural sector must be transformed as this will enhance their choice base and bring about massive job opportunities in that sector.