Universities In Nigeria Research Articles

Campus Utopias

“Campus Utopias: A Visual Re-reading” describes a multidisciplinary graduate course conducted collaboratively by TU Delft and METU Ankara’s Architecture Departments in 2022. The research course focused on the key urban and architectural features of selected campus projects, examining how the modernist architects engaged in these designs were able to use them as a basis for the experimentation of new educational-residential models for living.This research paper explores the formal aspects of these campuses and their architectural significance. It recognizes the diverse geographies where the modern architectural movement took root and the active role played by political, economic, and cultural agents in shaping these projects. Working with local agents and situating modern architecture within its surrounding infrastructure and landscape helped master architects to integrate local architectural values and new building technologies.The article presents three case studies: Obafemi Awolowo University in Nigeria, the University of Baghdad in Iraq, and the Central University of Venezuela in Caracas. These campuses were designed and built after World War II, representing the aspirations of newly installed governments. The article highlights the architectural approaches that incorporated environmental considerations and cultural inspirations and the socio-economic considerations in each project.The research methodology involves a comparative analysis of the campuses, focusing on their formal qualities and in-between spaces. The students involved in the graduate research course utilized various media and techniques of representation, including 3D digital drawings, models, collages, and physical reliefs. The work results were presented in the form of an exhibition titled “Campus Utopias” at TU Delft Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment in April 2022. The student projects in this photo essay show the diversity of scale and make visible the similarities and differences in the overall campus design approaches of the three projects. The major focus is on the in-between spaces and the outcomes of the multidisciplinary work of architects, engineers, landscape architects, and artists.

Documenting the Reuse of Modern Buildings

This paper looks into the 2022 writing workshop sponsored by the British Academy with Nigerian and Ghanaian participants. It was focussed on the present status of modern buildings, which are quickly replaced by newer ones, eroding the prevailing vernacular of the landscape of African university campuses. A new approach was adopted to documenting the stories of these buildings, which had existed prior to the time, by Africans, not foreigners. Postgraduate students were co-opted to participate in a five-day writing workshop across three universities in Nigeria. The teams were headed by Early Career Researchers (ECRs) led by a Nigerian Co-Investigator (Co-I), similar to a workshop held in Ghana just a week before. The Principal Investigator (PI) was based in the United Kingdom and assisted by two co-investigators, one from Nigeria and one from Ghana. For the Nigerian contingent, the loci group comprised four participants per group (12 participants in each of the three universities in Lagos, Jos, and Enugu campus). At each university, the participants selected modern buildings on the campus to write about, guided by the ECRs. Scheduled meetings were arranged for expert presentations, site visits, and group meet-ups to discuss their working papers. Recommendations were made for architectural histories and criticisms to be introduced into the students’ curriculum, from which publications and documentation of these buildings can be carried out concurrently. Grants and awards can also be targeted at universities both locally and globally to further improve this approach. Emphasis on the cultural point of view was encouraged in the writing exercise to preserve the heritage aspects of the buildings.

Investigating the Culture Around Sexual Harassment in First-Generation Universities in Southwestern Nigeria: Protocol for a Mixed Methods Study.

The phenomenon of sexual harassment (SH) is a complex issue with multiple prongs that concerns all members of academia and raises serious challenges, particularly regarding prevention and response. SH in tertiary institutions remains a huge problem worldwide, leading to severe emotional, academic, and career difficulties, as well as undue suffering. Institutions have responded in various ways to alleviate the burden of SH with little success, especially in Nigeria. The prevalence is high but reportage is low because of the culture of silence around SH in most educational institutions. This study aims to identify factors associated with SH in tertiary institutions in Nigeria and explore factors surrounding reportage or nonreportage following the experience of SH, the institutional mechanisms to prevent and respond to SH, and the lived experience of survivors of SH. The objective of this study was to present a study protocol that is designed to identify factors associated with the experience of SH in tertiary institutions in Nigeria, the institutional mechanisms to prevent and respond to SH, and the lived experience of survivors of SH. A mixed (quantitative and qualitative) methods approach is used consisting of a policy review of existing antisexual harassment policies in the selected universities, a quantitative survey to determine the correlates of SH, focus group discussions to explore the perspectives of the university community concerning SH, in-depth interviews to explore the lived experiences of survivors of SH, and key informant interviews to understand the perspectives of people who provide interventions to survivors. This study was funded in July 2022 by the Consortium for Advanced Research Training in Africa, and data collection started in November 2022. The SH policies were comprehensive, with clear policy statements and definitions, and recognized a wide range of survivors and perpetrators. However, there was no clear mention of prevention and response to same-sex SH. Lived experiences showed negative psychological and social sequelae and little institutional support. This is the first study that has a component investigating same-sex SH in tertiary institutions in Nigeria. This is also one of the first studies to explore the lived experiences of survivors of SH in Nigerian universities. The findings from this study suggest that periodic evaluation of SH policy implementation will improve institutional support, thus creating safe spaces for survivors and will thereby encourage reportage and support; prevention and response strategies need to be more inclusive; and more interventions should focus on strengthening prosocial skills and healthy, equitable relationships. DERR1-10.2196/49126.

Effect of adequate academic staff-mix on staff job performance in south-eastern Nigeria Universities

The study examined the effect of adequate academic staff mix on staff job performance in south eastern Nigeria universities. Descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. The population for the study consisted all academic staff of public universities in south eastern Nigeria. six hundred (600) academic staff were sampled using multistage sampling technique which involves random selection of three (3) Federal universities of university of Nigeria Nsukka, Nnamdi Azikiwe university Awka and Federal university of Technology Owerri and three (3) state universities of Enugu state university of science and technology, Chukwuemeka Odimegwu university and Imo state university. Four (4) faculties of Environmental Sciences, Natural/Physical Sciences, Engineering and Agricultural Sciences were purposefully selected based on government’s aspiration as enunciated in the National Policy on Education to advance science and technology in the country. A random selection of twenty-five (25) academic staff from each faculty were used for the study. Two sets of instruments titled Academic staff job performance questionnaire (ASJPQ) and Academic Manpower Adequacy Inventory (AMAI) were used for the study. The two instruments were validated and had a reliability coefficient of 0.71. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics mean, standard deviation and percentages. The hypotheses formulated were tested at 0.05 level of significance. The study revealed that academic staff mix is significantly related to academic staff job performance. Based on the findings of the study it was recommended that federal and state universities in south eastern Nigeria, should scale up recruitments of more academic staff especially the senior academics to ensure improved academic staff job performance.

Grit and its associated factors among final year pharmacy students in public universities in Nigeria: A cross-sectional study

Background: Assessing grit among pharmacy students provides insights into the students' experiences as well as the importance of implementing interventions to increase their levels of grit. The purpose of this study was to assess students' grit in Nigerian pharmacy schools and to identify factors that predict the amount of grit among pharmacy students. Methods: This study utilised a nine-item questionnaire-based cross-sectional design among final-year pharmacy students from one public university, in each of the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria for a month. Descriptive and inferential statistics were employed. Results: A total of 590 pharmacy students responded to the questionnaire (response rate = 66.89%). Most students 409 (69.32%) were between the ages of 20 - 25 years. A majority, 573 (97.1%) reported being free from any chronic diseases and 427 (72.37%) reported being engaged in extracurricular activities. A group mean grit score of 37.091 ± 0.253 was observed. Students from all the schools reported ‘Not Like me’ 14 (2.37%) to ‘I have overcome setbacks to conquer an important challenge’, while 275 (46.61%) chose ‘Very much like me’. Predictors of high grit level were institution (Beta, p-value), mode of accommodation (ꞵ = 1.494, p = .039), and sponsorship (ꞵ = 4.207, p = .047). Conclusion: Pharmacy students in Nigeria have a high grit level and the institution of study had an impact on the level of grit.

Benefits and Ways of Integrating Technology in Teaching of Social Science Courses in Universities in Nigeria

Benefits and Ways of Integrating Technology in Teaching of Social Science Courses in Universities in Nigeria

Assessment of Indoor Radon Gas Concentration in National Open University of Nigeria: A Case Study of Calabar Study Centre

The current work deals with indoor radon (222Rn) concentrations measurements in the Calabar Study Centre of the National Open University of Nigeria using a Corentium Arthings digital radon detector meter for seven days representing a short–term average measurement of indoor radon gas concentration level. The geographical coordinates were recorded using a hand-held geographical positioning system for the sample point. Measurement were taken for seven days and the following data where obtained 83±2.19 Bq/m3,80±3.69 Bq/m3,86±5.57 Bq/m3,84±1.59 Bq/m3,82±3.59 Bq/m3,81±4.89 Bq/m3 and 85 ±5.59 Bq/m3.The average radon(222Rn) concentration level was found to be 83 ± 3.87 Bq/m3 with a geometric mean of 82 ± 3.54 Bq/m3. It was observed that the radon concentration was below the reference level of 100 Bq/m3 recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). Although the current exposure of members of the public to natural radiation is not critical, the situation could change abruptly when other activities commenced. The excess life time cancer risk calculated for 70 years, 60 years, 50 years, 40 years and 30 years were 1.72 × 10−3,1.65× 10−3,1.39× 10−3,1.44× 10−3 and 0.69× 10−3 respectively. The calculated values of the excess life time cancer risk are all higher than the set limit of 0.029 × 10−3 by International Commission on Radiological Protection. However, there are no observed cases of lung cancer epidemic in this Centre. Therefore, it is advised to use fans and effective ventilation techniques to reduce radon levels. Identifying the regions of the country where people are most at risk from radon exposure should be the main goal of any national radon policy.

Social Interactions and Relationships: Covid-19 Pandemic and the Emergence of the New Normal During the Lockdown in Universities in Nigeria

Social Interactions and Relationships: Covid-19 Pandemic and the Emergence of the New Normal During the Lockdown in Universities in Nigeria

Electrical geophysical evaluation of susceptibility to flooding in University of Nigeria, Nsukka main campus and its environs, Southeastern Nigeria

Electrical geophysical evaluation of susceptibility to flooding in University of Nigeria, Nsukka main campus and its environs, Southeastern Nigeria

Training and development process: implication for academic staff performance and sustainable University Education

PurposeThis study examines the effectiveness of training and development process for academic staff performance and sustainable university education.Design/methodology/approachA quantitative research approach was adopted for data collection and analysis for this study. The study draws sample from 202 randomly selected academic staff from three universities in South-West Nigeria. The data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 27).FindingsThe findings showed a significant relationship between T&D process and academic staff performance. Also, the importance of conducting training need assessment before training programs are implemented was revealed.Originality/valueThis study provides evidence-based information which can help decisions on training and development program, enhance academic staff performance, and ensure university sustainability.

Knowledge and use of academic social networking tools among Nigerian physiotherapy educators

Background and aimThe advent of academic social networking tools (ASNTs) has brought a paradigm shift to academic culture and practice dynamics; however, there is an apparent dearth of information on its adoption among health professions academics in developing countries. This study aimed to assess knowledge, use, and perceptions of ASNTs among physiotherapy educators in Nigeria.MethodsThis cross-sectional study involved 20 consented physiotherapy educators from five universities in South-west Nigeria offering physiotherapy degrees. A self-administered questionnaire with adequate face and content validity was employed to assess knowledge, perception, barriers, and use of ASNTs. Descriptive statistics of frequency and percentages were applied.ResultsA majority of the respondents had knowledge and utilized ASNTs such as Research Gate (80%), Google Scholar (80%), Google Plus (70%), LinkedIn (50%), and Academia.edu (50%). Mynetresearch (5%) and Lameresearch (5%) were not popular, while Llaslo.com, Quarzy, and Myscience.ch were not known. ASNTs were used to raise personal profiles in the research community (100%), publicize research (95%), share authorized content (85%), attract funds (65%), attract future employers (65%), and actively discuss research and discover job opportunities (45%). Electricity failure (70%), lack of infrastructural facilities (70%), unavailability of internet facilities (60%), lack of technical knowhow (45%), time constraints (45%), and personal factors (45%) were the significant barriers in utilizing ASNTs.ConclusionNigerian physiotherapy educators were knowledgeable and adopted most ASNTs. Power failure, lack of technical know-how, infrastructural and internet facilities, and personal factors limit the utilization of ASNTs among Nigerian physiotherapy educators.

Use of Mobile Technology-Based Library Services and Information Needs Satisfaction of Undergraduates in Universities in South-West Nigeria

Aim: Users’ satisfaction has been a subject of research since the establishment of the first university library in 1984, which signalled the commencement of the provision of information services to academic library users in Nigeria. However, empirical studies on the use of mobile technology-based library services in relation to students’ information needs satisfaction are rare. Thus, there is a knowledge gap, and this study, therefore, sets out to fill this gap by investigating the use of mobile technology-based library services and information needs satisfaction among undergraduates in universities in South-West Nigeria. Methods: The research design for the study was a survey, involving a multistage sampling technique. Two questionnaires (on the level of use of mobile technology-based library services and information needs satisfaction of undergraduates) were used to sample 1,086 undergraduates across three faculties at six universities in South-West Nigeria. 1,045 responses were analysed using descriptive statistics. Results: The study found that some mobile technology-based library services were frequently used by undergraduates, while others were not. Most of the students expressed satisfaction with the services provided by their university libraries. The results of this study also showed that there is a highly positive relationship (Pearson r = 0.53) between the use of mobile technology-based library services and the information needs satisfaction of undergraduates in South-West Nigeria. Conclusion: This study concluded that with a good deployment of infrastructure, the provision of mobile technology-based library services will encourage their effective use by undergraduates and, consequently, a higher level of information needs satisfaction. The study recommended, among other things, that university library management should subscribe regularly to mobile technology-based library services to overcome some of the challenges posed by COVID-19.

Integrating Internet of Things (IoT) into Library and Information Science (LIS) School's Curriculum in Selected Universities in Nigeria

This study examined incorporating the Internet of Things (IoT) into the LIS curriculum in selected LIS schools in Southwest Nigeria. The study population comprised final students from the LIS degree program in South-west Nigeria's library and information science department. A total enumeration of respondents was used for the research. Data generated were analysed using descriptive statistics. Findings revealed that the significant technology-related courses in the curriculum of LIS are basic computer operations, web publishing, document management and computer in libraries. Undergraduates positively perceived LIS curriculum preparedness for the Internet of Things (IoT). The major problems affecting the full implementation of technology-based related courses of the LIS curriculum in selected LIS schools are a shortage of funds, lack of infrastructure, unreliable power supply, inadequate learning resources and library support. The paper recommended that the Nigerian government come forward through her agents to provide financial help to integrate the Internet of Things (IoT) into LIS schools and develop essential infrastructures that will enhance the hands-on experience for the students.LIS curriculum

Cognitive Load as a Predictor of Depression among Undergraduates in Nigerian Universities

In spite of increased mental health care resources at universities, depression rates continue to rise. This study examined cognitive load as a predictor of depression among undergraduate students at Nigerian universities. A correlational survey paradigm was utilized. A total of 1026 first-year students of the Faculty of Education and Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Nigeria were included in this study. In the study, 300 undergraduate students [100 males and 200 females] from Nigeria's University of Nigeria were surveyed. The study collected data using the Cognitive Load Questionnaire (CLQ) and Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI). CLQ had a reliability coefficient of 0.93, while BDI had a reliability coefficient of 0.90. Two research assistants administered the instruments to respondents. Simple regression was utilized for the research questions. A Fisher Z-test was used to test hypothesis two, while A linear regression t-test was used to test hypothesis one. In Nigerian universities, cognitive load does not significantly predict depression among undergraduates. Among Nigerian undergraduate students, 2.2% of their depressive symptoms are associated with cognitive load as a result of their gender. Other factors that influence depression among undergraduates in Nigerian universities, such as stress, need to be identified and appropriate measures taken to ameliorate the increasing trend of depression among undergraduates.

Design and Validation of Structural Causal Model: A Focus on EGRA Dataset

Designing and validating structural causal model (SCM) correctness from a dataset whose background knowledge is obtained from a research process is not a common phenomenon. Studies have shown that in many critical areas, such as healthcare and education, researchers develop models from direct acyclic graphs (DAG), a component of an SCM, without testing them. This phenomenon is worrisome and is bound to cast a shadow on the inference estimates that may arise from such models. In this study, we have designed a novel application-based SCM for the first time using the background knowledge obtained from the Early Grade Reading Assessment (EGRA) program called the Strengthen Education in Northeast Nigeria (SENSE-EGRA), which is an educational intervention program of the American University of Nigeria (AUN), Yola, on the letter identification subtask. This project was sponsored by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). We employed the conditional independence test (CIT) criteria for the validation of the SCM’s correctness, and the results show a near-perfect SCM.

The Status of Specialist Neurosurgical Training in Nigeria: A Survey of Practitioners, Trainers, and Trainees

Despite the well-known neurosurgical workforce deficit in Sub-Saharan Africa, there remains a low number of neurosurgical training programs in Nigeria. This study sought to reassess the current status of specialist neurosurgical training in the country. An electronic survey was distributed to all consultant neurosurgeons and neurosurgery residents in Nigeria. Demographic information and questions relating to the content, process, strengths, and challenges of neurosurgical training were explored as part of a broader survey assessing neurosurgical capacity. Descriptive statistics were used for analysis. Respondents identified 15 neurosurgical training centers in Nigeria. All 15 are accredited by the West African College of Surgeons, and 6 by the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria. The average duration of core neurosurgical training was 5years. Some identified strengths of Nigerian neurosurgical training included learning opportunities provided to residents, recent growth in the neurosurgical training capacity, and satisfaction with training. Challenges included a continued low number of training programs compared to the population density, lack of subspecialty training programs, and inadequate training infrastructure. Despite the high number of neurosurgery training centers in Nigeria, compared to other West African countries, the programs are still limited in number and capacity. Although this study shows apparent trainee satisfaction with the training process and contents, multiple challenges exist. Efforts at improving training capacity should focus on continuing the development and expansion of current programs, commencing subspecialty training, driving health insurance to improve funding, and increasing available infrastructure for training.

Entrepreneurial Skills Required by Metalwork Technology Students for Workforce Sustainability in Technical Colleges in Lagos State

The purpose of this study was to determine the entrepreneurial skills required by metalwork technology students for workforce sustainability in technical colleges in Lagos State. Four research questions and three hypotheses guided the study. A descriptive survey research design was adopted to carry out the study. The population for the study was one hundred and four (104) respondents, comprising 19 metalwork technology students from Lagos State Technical College, Agidingbi. 28 metalwork technology students from Lagos State Technical College, Ikeja; 26 metalwork technology students from Lagos State Technical College, Ikorodu; and 31 metalwork technology students from the Federal College of Education (Technical), Akoka, Lagos. four questionnaires titled, The technical skills required by metal work technology students for workforce sustainability in Technical colleges in Lagos state. “; The marketing skills required by metal work technology students for workforce sustainability in technical colleges, The managerial skills required by metalwork technology students for workforce sustainability in technical colleges The problem-solving skills required by metalwork technology students for workforce sustainability in Nigeria’s technical colleges were developed by the researchers and used for data collection. Three experts validated the instruments: two experts from the Department of Industrial Technical Education, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and one expert from the Department of Vocational Education, School of Technical Education, Yaba College of Technology. The reliability coefficient of the instrument was found to be 0.86, 0.81, 0.89, and 0.73. Data collected were analyzed using the mean and standard deviation to answer the research questions, while t-test statistics were used to test the hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The study found no significant difference significant difference in the mean response of metalwork technology students and metalwork technology lecturer on the entrepreneurial skills required by metalwork technology students for workforce sustainability in technical colleges.

Knowledge management and pedagogical innovativeness of vocational educators, the mediating role of transformational leadership style

The study investigated the relationships on three dimensions of knowledge management (KM), pedagogical innovativeness (PI) and transformational leadership style (TLS) Design used for the study was correlational and data were collected from 137 vocational educators/lecturers in public universities in Nigeria, this forms the sample of study. Structured questionnaire was instrument used, covering the demographic variables of the respondents and measured the relevant dimensions of knowledge management, pedagogical innovativeness and transformational leadership style. Three experts face validated instrument for study. The reliability was measured using Cronbach alpha method and an overall alpha value of 0.89 was obtained. The data was collected by the authors and analysed. Bivariate correlation linear regression and path analysis via 5000 re-samples bootstrap method was used for analysis. The results showed that knowledge management dimensions i.e. knowledge dissemination, responsiveness to knowledge predict significantly pedagogical innovativeness while knowledge acquisition did not significantly predict pedagogical innovativeness. It also showed that transformational leadership style does mediate relationship between knowledge management and pedagogical innovativeness. The results suggest that knowledge acquisition (KA), knowledge dissemination (KD) responsiveness to knowledge (RK) are among the key indicators of pedagogical innovativeness. The result also suggest that low transformational leadership style will not bring about the relationship between knowledge management and pedagogical innovativeness. Based on findings it was recommended that knowledge management should be encourage in tertiary institutions as this will enhanced pedagogical innovativeness of vocational educators. Also, management of tertiary institution should employ transformational leadership style for ultima productivity of their employees.

Exploring family and academic role conflict among undergraduate students of the University of Nigeria

Exploring family and academic role conflict among undergraduate students of the University of Nigeria

Accessing the factors that affect the implementation of successful project management for TETFUND-sponsored projects in the South East, Nigeria (2011–2021)

As important as the knowledge acquired via the teaching and learning process in tertiary institutions is the infrastructure in tertiary education. This is the case since infrastructure is one of the facilities that primarily supports the teaching and learning process. In Nigeria, tertiary education has faced and continues to face a number of difficulties throughout the years, one of which is the deterioration of the infrastructure necessary for professional and National University Commission (NUC) accreditation. The improper implementation of project management and the absence of integration of the services of the professional project manager in various TETFund Intervention Projects are two of the biggest difficulties experienced in the implementation of TETFund-Sponsored Projects. The upshot of this is that TETFund-Sponsored Projects have been delivered unsuccessfully. For this study project, the quantitative research method was used. For this study, official documentation of Annual Intervention Projects in 10 public recipient universities in South-East Nigeria was obtained. This study indicates that all the parameters indicated are drivers of successful project management with mean ratings over 2.5 based on the results it has received and assessed. The overall rating was 2.9, which is also higher than the benchmark norm. We reject the null hypothesis and come to the conclusion that there is no significant relationship between the variables of completed within time, not completed within time, completed but delayed, and not completed yet behind schedule. Hypothesis testing revealed that the value of the t-statistics (0.049) was below 0.05. Keywords: Determinants, Implementation, Infrastructure, Project, Management.