STRATEGIES FOR EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF LEARNING FACILITIES IN NIGERIAN UNIVERSITIES

Purpose: Inadequate learning facilities in Nigerian public universities is one of the key factors that affect the overall academic performance of students. This research aims to investigate the underlying learning facilities that contribute best to students’ academic performance. It also intends to propose strategies that can be used to implement such facilities, specifically in public universities where educational fund has always been a problem. Design/methodology/approach: To achieve the aims of the study, the mixed methods research design was adopted. Physical observations, questionnaire and interviews were the instruments used for data collection in the mixed methods research design. Questionnaires were administered to 389 students from three selected public and private universities in the North central region of Nigeria. While interviews were conducted with nine staff of the National Universities Commission (NUC). In addition, archival data sourced from NUC Bench Mark Academic Standard (BMAS) and NUC procedural guide were also used for the study. The data collected were analysed quantitatively and qualitatively using. Findings: The research showed that constant electricity supply and Information Communication Technology (ICT) were the two learning facilities that contributed best to students’ academic performance. Research limitations/Implications: The limitation of this study is that it was conducted in three universities that have Sciences and Engineering learning facilities such as laboratory and practical workshops in the north central region of Nigeria. The contribution to knowledge is that the study established constant electricity supply and ICT as the two learning facilities that contribute best to students’ academic performance. Practical implications: With the limited education funds in the developing nations such as Nigeria, the outcomes of this study will enable priority to be given to constant electricity supply and ICT in the learning facilities procurement process. Consequently, students’ academic performance in government established institution will improve as such facilities will always be made available for their daily use. Originality: This paper first gain originality in the study context to propose for two learning facilities that contribute best to students’ academic success. Furthermore, the paper is original as it has not been previously published and all the information obtained from other sources are duly referenced.