<b>Administrative practices and digital integration as predictors of science education delivery in public universities in Kogi State, Nigeria</b><b></b>

This study investigated the influence of administrative practices and digital integration on science education delivery in selected universities in Kogi State, Nigeria, with particular attention to the role of faculty development support. Specifically, the study examined staff perceptions of administrative practices, assessed the role of digital integration in strengthening science education, evaluated the contribution of administrative support for faculty development, and determined whether staff perceptions of administrative effectiveness differed across the selected universities. A quantitative cross-sectional survey design was adopted for the study. The population comprised academic and administrative staff in science-related faculties of Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH), Kogi State University, Kabba (KSUK), and Federal University Lokoja (FUL). Descriptive survey design was adopted for the study. Purposive sampling technique was used to select 180 respondents; comprising 120 academic staff and 60 administrative staff. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire administered through the KoBoCollect platform and analysed using descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (multiple regression and one-way Analysis of Variance) at the 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed that respondents held positive perceptions of administrative practices (Grand Mean = 4.24), digital integration (Grand Mean = 4.22), and faculty development support (Grand Mean = 4.31). Multiple regression analysis showed that administrative practices, digital integration, and faculty development support significantly influenced science education delivery (p < .05). The ANOVA results further indicated significant differences in staff perceptions of administrative effectiveness among the three universities (p < .05). The study concluded that effective administrative practices, sustained digital integration, and continuous faculty development are essential for improving science education delivery in Kogi State universities. The study recommended strengthening institutional leadership, expanding digital infrastructure, increasing investment in faculty development programmes, and promoting policies that support the effective integration of digital technologies into science education.