Assessing Lecturers' Perceived Availability of Facilities in Nigerian Private Universities: Evidence From Al-hikmah University

Abstract

Facilities are ingredients that are needed to ensure effective implementation of curriculum so as to achieve the aims and objectives of university education. It is on this premise that this study examined availability of facilities in Al-Hikmah University, Nigeria via mixed-method approach (quantitative and qualitative). Three
research questions were framed to guide the study. Both survey and interview were adopted for the study. Population consists of 180 academic staff in Al-Hikmah University where stratified and random sampling techniques were used to select 123 respondents for the quantitative approach. In the same vein, purposive and convenient sampling techniques were used to select the Deputy Vice-Chancellor for the qualitative approach. An adapted instrument tilted “Availability of Educational Facilities Questionnaire (AEFQ)” was used to collect data from the lecturers, while protocol titled “Interview Protocol on Availability of Educational Facilities (IPAER) was used to elicit relevant information from the Deputy Vice-Chancellor. Findings from the two methods indicate availability of facilities in the university. The facilities include classroom, internet, health, and library. Findings also reveal challenges that are associated with the availability of facilities which include paucity of fund, poor maintenance of existing facilities and theft issue. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended that adequate fund should be provided for the provision of facilities in the university. Lastly, government agencies (e.g. TETFUND and PTDF) should assist private universities in Nigeria in the area of infrastructure and training.