Resource Provision and Utilization for Quality Instructional Delivery in Federal Universities in North Central Zone, Nigeria

Abstract

The study examined the extent of resource provision and utilization for quality instructional delivery in federal universities in North Central Zone, Nigeria. Four research questions and four null hypotheses guided the study. Explanatory sequential mixed methods research design was adopted for the study. The population of the study consisted of 893 heads of unit, 4631 academic staff and 302 support staff giving a total population of 5826. The multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select the sample size. The sample for the study was 572, comprising 452 academic staff, 90 heads of units and 30 support staff from 4 selected federal universities used for the study. Two instruments were used to collect data. A twenty-item questionnaire titled Resource provision and utilization for quality instructional delivery Questionnaire (RPUQIDQ) and a structured interview. The data collected were analyzed using mean and standard deviation to answer the research questions and independent t- test was used to test the null hypotheses. The findings revealed that there is no significant difference between the opinions of academic staff and heads of units on the extent resources are provided and utilized in federal universities. The study further revealed that the provision of physical facilities and human resources for quality instructional delivery in federal universities in North Central, Nigeria is to a low extent. On utilization of resources for quality instructional delivery, the study revealed that utilization of physical facilities for quality instructional delivery in federal universities in North Central, Nigeria is to a low extent while utilization of human resources for quality instructional delivery is to a high extent. The thematic analysis was used to analyze the qualitative data collected for the study. The result corroborated the views of the academic staff and heads of units on all variables studied. It was therefore recommended among others, that the federal government should step up provision of physical facilities to universities in the study area so as to make the universities environment more conducive and university management should ensure effective and efficient utilization of available resources towards the enhancement of quality instructional delivery processes in the universities.