Paradox of Quality Assurance in the Management and Administration of University Education in Nigeria: National Universities’ Commission (NUC) in Focus

Abstract

The historical method of data collection, analysis and discussion was used to study and report on the role of the National Universities’ Commission (NUC), an agency set up by the Federal Government for all universities, irrespective of ownership (federal, state or private) in ascertaining quality assurance in the management and administration of university education in Nigeria with reference to setting up of minimum academic standard for all academic programmes. The objective was to determine the level of effectiveness of the supervisory/regulatory role(s) of the commission and highlight the local factors that have militated against the attainment of quality assurance in universities in Nigeria. It was found that while the concern for quality assurance in Nigerian university education as pursued by the NUC is commendable and most desirable, the paradox, however, is that the same government is not funding university education adequately. On the basis of these findings, it was suggested that the funding of university education in the country should be a priority as prescribed by UNESCO, since the country is a signatory to the UNO charter so that the needed standard could be met. Introduction The training and production of the right mix and quantity of high-level manpower from the educational system is considered sine qua non for national development. These precisely are the goals of tertiary institutions in all countries. . This the universities do through the basic functions of teaching and imparting knowledge, seeking and discovering truth through research and disseminating their findings to all so that mankind generally may shed the shackles of ignorance and want. In other words, the graduates of tertiary institutions, as represented by the universities in this work, are meant to play a major role in teaching, research and development, curriculum development, quality control, evaluation, management of International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences Vol. 9 , No. 3, March, 2019, E-ISSN: 2222-6990 © 2019 HRMARS 115 both private and public enterprises, improved food supply, health delivery, politics and governance, maintenance of law and order and other community services. The point being made here, according to Okorosaye-Orubite, Paulley and Abraham (2012:266) is that the extent to which civilization can be sustained in any place is dependent on the extent the intellectual momentum and vigour is being sustained by the universiti…