ESTABLISHMENT OF PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES IN SOUTH WEST GEO-

POLITICAL ZONE NIGERIA; IMPLICATIONS FOR QUALITY

EDUCATION IN NIGERIA (1999-2019)
 
BY
  
IHUOMA, JOSHUA CHINOMSO
B.Sc. Ed (UPH)
G2017/MED/EDF/FT/009
 
A MASTER OF EDUCATION (M. Ed) THESIS PRESENTED TO THE
SCHOOL OF GRADUATE STUDIES IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF MASTERS DEGREE (M.ED) IN
HISTORY AND POLICY OF EDUCATION IN THE DEPARTMENT OF
EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATIONS,
FACULTY OF EDUCATION, UNIVERSITY OF PORT HARCOURT.
 
SUPERVISOR: DR. BEN NYEWUSIRA
 
DECEMBER, 2019 1
 Background to the Study
The pillar objective of education.

Origin of Higher/University education in

Nigeria

Origin of private university establishment in

Nigeria

Decree No. 9 of 1993 2

 Statement of the Problem
• Whether these high expectations have been met are the very
issues that come to the front burner of this research. The big
question is this; has the establishment of private universities
aided in resolving the highly pronounced problems such as
quality, access, funding, relevance, infrastructure,
appropriate curriculum etc.?
• It therefore became necessary for the researcher to identify
the private universities in the South West geo-political zone
of Nigeria with their immense challenges and contributions,
and also explore at how their existence (establishment) can
ensure quality education in the Nigeria education system.

3
 Aim and Objectives of the Study
The purpose of this study was to investigate the establishment of
private universities in South West Nigeria and the implications for
quality education in Nigeria. Specifically, the objectives of the study
were to: 
1. examine how the private universities were established.
2. ascertain the challenges facing the private universities in South
Western Nigeria.
3. ascertain the contributions of the private universities (South-
Western) to quality of education in Nigeria.
4. explore measures that can enhance the contributions of private
universities (south western) towards the overall development of
quality education in Nigeria.

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 Research Questions

The following research questions guided the study;

1. How were the private universities established?
2. What are the challenges faced by the private
universities in south western Nigeria?
3. What contributions have been made by the private
universities (south-western) for quality of
education in Nigeria?
4. What measures can enhance the contributions of
private universities (south western) towards the
overall development of quality education in
Nigeria? 5
 Significance of the Study
1. The result of this study shall provide information on the challenges
facing the private universities and how best to resolve these
challenges; it shall also help through its suggestions on how best the
private sector can partner with the public sector to ensure quality
education in Nigeria.
2. The information and findings of this research work when
implemented shall float quality education in both primary,
secondary and tertiary levels of education in both private and public
sectors of the country which will in turn propagate the products
(graduates) to contribute maximally to the economic growth of the
nation at large.
3. The result from this research work will stimulate further research
work on the state of private universities, issues and challenges facing
private universities in Nigeria.
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 Scope of the Study
The study covers the south-west geopolitical
zone and the private universities that are
located there. It also covered issues that are
cognate to education which include quality,
access, finance (funding), infrastructure,
global relevance, curriculum content, research
and stability of academic program and other
indicators of quality education.
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 LITERATURE REVIEW
Conceptual Framework
 Quality education and Indicators of quality
education (university education)

 Origin of private university education in Nigeria

 Contributions of the private universities (south-

western) to the development of education in
Nigeria

 Challenges faced by the private universities

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Significant Contributions of the Private Universities to Quality Education in
Nigeria

1. Conducive learning environment

2. Stable academic programme
3. Closing of the wide unemployment gap;
4. The private universities have brought a check to the draining of our hard earned
foreign exchange. (Owoeye, 2012).
5. Positive competition between the private universities in Nigeria has brought
improvement and quality in Education in Nigeria.
6. Assurance of excellent and outstanding level of productivity, especially in
students’ academic achievement.
7. High regard for moral standard and high level of discipline
8. Adequate funding
9. Creation of higher education access

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 Challenges of Private University Education in South Western Nigeria

1. Exorbitant school fees.

2. Under-payment of staff
3. Lack of job security or Staff turn-over
4. Creation of inequalities in both social and
economic status
5. Involvement in examination malpractices
6. Proliferation of private universities in Nigeria
7. Increased competition
8. Less Qualified Academic Staff
9. Establishment of unaccredited private institutions 10
 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
 Research Design
The research design adopted in the study is the historical research design. Osegbo, Ifeakor and Enemuo
(2009) declare that historical research design is the systematic collection and critical evaluation of data
relating to past occurrences. Osaat (2009:59) asserts that historical research always attempts to test the
worthiness and truthfulness of observations made by others through the examination and re-
examination of existing evidence(s).

 Population of this study

The population of this study consists of the private universities in South West Geopolitical Zone. South
west geopolitical zone is one of the six (6) geopolitical zones in Nigeria.
 Methods of Data Collections
In carrying out this research, the researcher made use of oral interview of registrars of the selected
private universities, heads of departments, secretaries of departments, lecturers and students of the
selected private universities.
 Instrumentation/ Sources of Data Collection
The instruments for the study are in two major sources of data. The researcher relied heavily in the two
sources, that is the primary and secondary sources.
 Primary Sources:
This is defined as a witness report of an event which could be gotten through oral interview
 Secondary source:
This is second hand data that is extracted from a second party who didn’t witness the event; it is a
report of a narrator (person) who narrates the experience of a participant, eye witness, observer in an
event Secondary source includes encyclopedias, internet sources, and textbooks.
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 Historical Criticisms of Data
There exist two forms of data criticisms, they are; the external and internal criticisms

  Evaluation of Data Sources (External Criticism/Validity)

To ascertain validity of the instrument, the researcher gave a copy to the project supervisor to carefully
peruse through after the development of the research work in order to give feedback concerning the
research work and corrections on affected parts were made

 Internal Criticism/Reliability
Internal criticism checks the accuracy of sources of data and whether it is reliable or trustworthy in order
to avoid bias and prejudice. Trustworthy documents and sources were adopted in the establishment of
fact and drawing of inference concerning the establishment of the private universities in South West
Geopolitical Zone of Nigeria and its implications to quality education in Nigeria.

 Methods of Data Analysis

Based on the historical nature of the study, the research adopted the critical analysis method which is
devoid of bias and prejudice. The listed facts and activities were carefully put together while critically
analyzing the relationships inherent in the documents, drawing causal inferences and conclusion.

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 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
 Research Question One: Why and how were the private universities established?
Available records as extracted through interview and observation reveal that the private universities first
emerged out of the clamor for access for higher education and quest for quality university education.

• Results of Interview with a Principal Officer of Babcock University (Prof. Michael Omolewa)
The increasing quest for higher education after secondary education and the need for manpower for
national development through various sectors such as administrative sectors, educational sector, health
sector, and the economic sector of the nation after independence gave rise to the clamor for university
education. With educational friendly administrators at the helm of affairs shortly after Nigeria’s
independence in October 1960 and after the civil war in 1977, many citadel of learning were
commissioned and established with the aim and hope of having a wholistic development of all sectors.

• While the struggle for a restructured and revamped higher education was on, the private sectors (faith
based/missionary groups) were still interested in higher education and didn’t keep mum. A clear evidence
of this can be seen in two cases. Case one is that of David C. Babcock of the Seventh Day Adventist
Church who had the dream of setting up a university education in Nigeria, though he didn’t succeed even
after acquiring a land and setting up other secondary education institutions in Okebola, Oyo state and Sau
in Kwara state. His team of missionaries on June 4, 1958 succeeded in acquiring the present Babcock
University to stand as a higher citadel of learning previously known as the Adventist Seminary of West
Africa (formerly Adventist Seminary of West Africa). It was also one of the three foremost private
universities that met the NUC accreditation requirement in the year 1999 established to give access and
insure quality in the educational sector.
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 Research Question Two: What are the challenges faced by the private universities in South West
Geopolitical Zone of Nigeria?

• Inadequate or unqualified staff; most of the respondents agreed that the required cadre or level an
academic staff must obtain before becoming qualified to teach in a university is the PhD cadre according
to the National universities recommendation. Though this issue is not witnessed in private universities
alone, it is also witnessed in most public universities but the private universities are top in the reading
table of universities with less qualified teaching staff. Reasons given for this are as follows: insufficient
funding, compromising attitude of some officials of the National Universities Commission (NUC),
continuous granting of approval for the establishment of more private universities by the National
Universities Commission. Insufficient qualified PhD students/graduates who will take up the vacant
academic positions, employment of more retired professors and adjunct staff who are not very
committed and loyal to the system (hence some work on part-time basis).

• Other challenges militating against the established private universities includes: Failure of bureaucratic
system, less job security/staff turnover, underpayment of staff, the high rate of examination malpractice,
proliferation of private universities and exorbitant school fees.

• A Report of an Interview with the Registrar of a Private University

The major challenge faced by our institution (private institution) is the scarcity of professors and readers.
To resolve this issue; we usually employ emeritus and retired professors in order to succeed in the
accreditation process.
Some authoritative quarters supports the revelation that most private universities are understaffed and
are being managed and run by unqualified staff.

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  Research Question 3: What contributions have been made by the private universities in South West
Geopolitical Zone in Nigeria for the Development of Quality Education in Nigeria?

• A report of an interview with the registrar of a private university

Some of the land marking contributions which our (name withheld) university has given
towards quality development of education in Nigeria are as follows;
Our students are rated as among the best in some of the national and international
examinations of some disciplines (law, medicine and nursing). Our university runs
exchange/linkage (local and international) programs with some of the globally recognized
interactions universities and citadel of learning.
There is high moral stability and development among our students since we have been able
to diversify our programs into academic, spiritual and social aspects. Also, Our institution
has a stable academic programme that is void of strike actions as witnessed in most public
universities. Our students boast of knowing their graduation year and months afore-time.
Concerning the contributions of private universities towards national development, private
universities has created a healthy competition or rivalry in the university subsector of
education
There exist conducive learning environment that can facilitate effective learning in most of
the private universities in South West geopolitical zone. Some private universities such as
Kola Daisi University, Babcock University, Adeleke University and Lead City University are
making impressive efforts with the conducive learning environment they have. See figures; 3,
6, and 18.
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 Research Question 4: What measures can enhance the contributions of private universities in South
West Geopolitical Zone Nigeria towards the overall Development of quality Education in Nigeria?
 
• Report of an Interview with Professor Michael Omolewa
Adequate funding, continuous regular and consistent maintenance/adherence to the academic calendar
and programs, continuous interval check and inspection such as pre-accreditation activities, internal
inspection and accreditation of the following indices of quality: curriculum, teaching staff, educational
facilities (such as library, ICT facilities, laboratories, sports equipments), graduates (interconnectivity
between products, society and university which acts as factory), are among the measures employed by
private universities in order to ensure overall development of quality education in Nigeria.

Another remarkable stride by the private universities in Nigeria towards the contribution and
sustainability of overall development of quality education in Nigeria includes the employment of quality
professors such as Emeritus and internationally recognized professors as lecturers during and after
retirement from active academic service.

Maintenance of high moral standards by the private universities in South West Geopolitical Zone is
another important fit that has been maintained towards the enhancement of the quality of private
universities towards the overall development of quality education in Nigeria. Sexual harassment,
examination misconduct/blocking, indecent dressing, armed robbery, cultism and other vices are truly
kept out, controlled and eradicated in most of the faith based private universities in South West
Geopolitical Zone.

Conclusively, it can be asserted that when the discussed issues that were raised as regarding the
challenges facing the private universities are addressed with fixed attention on some listed contributions
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and measures, there will be attainment and enhancement of quality education in Nigeria.
 SUMMARY
In the course of the study, the research has discovered the following about the establishment of private
universities and its implication for quality education in Nigeria;
• Creation of more access to higher education for prospective students and candidates that seeks to enroll
to help train more man power for different sectors while resolving the problem of quality in higher
education in Nigeria that has in time past affected the public Universities.

• The study also revealed some militating challenges faced by the private universities in South-West
geopolitical zone of Nigeria. Some of this challenges include, exorbitant school fees, lack of staff-job
security, proliferation of Private Universities, under payment of staff, creation of societal inequalities
increased competition, less qualified academic staff, the indifference of national universities commission
in closing down of some of the unaccredited private universities and courses.

• The researcher found out that these private universities are really aiding the development of education in
Nigeria through the following: closing of wide unemployment gap in Nigeria, global recognition through
excellence in international/ local examination and linkage programs, development of appropriate and
suitable learning environment. The study revealed that the indices of quality must be adopted in order to
thoroughly examine/measure and rate quality of education that is being provided by private universities.
Some of the indices examined are as follows: the curriculum, the quality of staff (academic and non-
academic staff), the facilities (such as ICT enabled teaching aids/gadgets, laboratory, library, classrooms),
the act of teaching, the admission process , the students/graduates, national and global relevance and level
of discipline among students and staff.

• The historical methodology was adopted by the researcher for the purpose of a successfully completion
of this research work. The historical research design was adopted since it describes collected data 17
systematically by analyzing the primary and secondary data through critical analysis approach.
 Conclusion
Most private universities do not suffer from inadequate funding since it is
independently funded and controlled by individual or private bodies (churches
and private firms/individuals). It has been discovered that adequate funding
for education (primary, secondary and tertiary levels of education) will go a
long way in causing a positive change and impact that would be felt in all
sectors of the economy. This will go a long way to cause national development
in Nigeria as seen in other developed world where funding for the educational
sector has turned things around on a positive note. Right partnership between
Government and private universities is highly advised and encouraged.
Adequate funding, proper curriculum, effective and qualified staff, conducive
learning environment will make quality output (graduates) who can be
productive to the nation and gain international recognitions for our nation
Nigeria.

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 Recommendations
Based on the findings of the study, the following recommendations are made:
1. Proper review and inspection of private universities’ curriculum.
2. Combination and utilization of Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
by those charged with the implementation of the curriculum in their pedagogical
tasks will amount to a positive outcome for the development of Nigeria.
3. Attraction of internal and external (foreign/international) linkage programmes
4. Importation and replication of the success exploits and stories of the private
universities in South West Geo-political zone, Nigeria in the public universities
and all levels of study to ensure quality education
5. Dire need for high moral standards in our education system.
6. Strict adherence to terms of curriculum delivery and personnel
7. Financial leverage should be given to private universities pending on when the
issue of exorbitant fees is resolved.
8. State of emergency should be declared in private universities on the issue of jumbo
fees
9. Proper and satisfactory condition of service should be ensured for the staff of the
private universities in Nigeria.
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Suggestions for Further Studies
• Historical study of private universities in Nigeria
should be carried out in relationship with quality
education in Nigeria. This should be done with the aim
of ascertaining whether quality education is been
given attention by the private universities in Nigeria
and to know whether they (private universities) in
Nigeria are gaining global relevance.

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 Contributions to Knowledge
The following contributions were made;
1. The study has provided sufficient evidences to prove the current
state of the university education in Nigeria.
2. That the problems disturbing our contemporary day educational
system and practice stem from lack of quality assurance, hence
quality assurance is vital to the educational development of
Nigeria.
3. That the private universities are marking landmark contributions
towards the educational development of the country despite some
challenges that militates against their educational activities.
4. The study has shown how important the private universities
involvement in Nigeria education is in the production of
knowledge economy and sustenance of any give society.

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 Limitations of Study
This study is the first attempt on the establishment of
private universities in south west geopolitical zone of
Nigeria, and its implications for quality education in
Nigeria, as a result could not be free from one constraint
or the other. The major problem of this research is the
negative and critical attitude the society places on
researchers and the research which makes it difficult to
get holistic access to data and information needed for the
smooth and peaceful conclusion of a research. It is
therefore anticipated that this study will be a stepping
stone to further studies in establishment of private
universities and its implications for quality education in
Nigeria as a whole.
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Benin City: Rawel Fortune Resources, pp. 63-90. 
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Prospects. Florida Journal of Educational Administration and Policy. Winter 2009, Vol. 3, Issue I.
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students. Journal of Research in Education, Vol 2. No. 1. 2005.
•  

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 SELECTED REFERENCES
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•   24
 A
Pictorial
Chart/
Distribution
of Private
Universities
in
Nigeria
according to
Geopolitical
Zone
25
Source: National Universities Commission (NUC) - Google Search, 07/04/2019
Kola Daisi University
ICT enabled Lecture
Setting

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Babcock University Lecture
Hall

Kola Daisi University Lecture

Hall Setting

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 THANKS
FOR
LISTENING

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