Policy Fluctuations and Their Impact on Quality Assurance in Higher Education in Nigeria
Keywords:
Policy Fluctuations, Quality Assurance, Higher Education, Nigeria, Educational Management
Abstract
Policy fluctuations have remained a critical challenge in managing higher education in Nigeria. This research investigates the impact of policy fluctuations on quality assurance in Nigerian higher education, a pressing issue amid ongoing educational reforms. The study evaluates how varying policy stability affects institutional performance and academic standards. Employing a descriptive survey design, the research involved case studies of five selected Nigerian universities, incorporating qualitative insights from interviews with stakeholders such as administrators, lecturers, and policymakers. Two hundred fifty respondents, including students and academic and non-academic staff, were surveyed using a self-designed questionnaire titled "Policy Fluctuations and Their Impact on Quality Assurance in Higher Education in Nigeria." The questionnaire featured demographic questions and key variables related to planning, management, infrastructure, and educational standards, measured on a four-point Likert scale. Data analysis included simple percentages, frequency counts, and hypothesis testing using the Chi-square (X²) statistical tool at a 0.05 significance level. The findings revealed that policy fluctuations significantly disrupt quality assurance mechanisms and that active stakeholder engagement can mitigate these adverse effects. The research concludes that stable, inclusive policy frameworks are essential for enhancing educational quality. This study contributes to the existing literature by providing empirical evidence on the relationship between policy dynamics and quality assurance, offering practical recommendations for policymakers and educational leaders to foster improved institutional outcomes in the Nigerian higher education landscape.
References
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David, S., & Folashade, E. G. (2023). Quality Assurance of Business Education Programme in Tertiary Institutions in Nigeria. IJEBD (International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Business Development), 6(3), 464–472.
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Enemuo, C. J., & Okafor, P. C. (2023). Influence of ICT in Enhancing The Quality Assurance Procedure In Education System In Nigeria. Int'l Journal of Education Research and Scientific Development, 2(2), 14-14.
Fasanya, A. G., Negedu, S. A., & Abdulwaheed, O. I. (2023). Quality Assessment for Instructional Process in Tertiary Institutions In Nigeria: Challenges And Way Forward. Journal of Science, Technology and Mathematics Pedagogy, 1(2), 183-201.
Gamage, K. A., Silva, E. K. D., & Gunawardhana, N. (2020). Online delivery and assessment during COVID-19: Safeguarding academic integrity. Education Sciences, 10(11), 301.
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Jaber, M. A., & Al Batsh, M. W. (2016). Jordanian experience in accreditation and quality assurance in HEIs. US-China Foreign Language, 14(4), 312-327.
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Ndaita, J. S. (2015). Influence of Principals’ Instructional Quality Assurance Role on Students Academic Performance In Kitui West District, Kenya (Doctoral dissertation).
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Obizue, M. N., & Enomah, S. (2025). Human Capital Development and Educational Advancement In Nigeria: Realities And Way Forward. Int'l Journal of Education Research and Scientific Development, 7(2), 15-27.
Olofinniyi, O. E., & Agada, E. J. (2024). Education sector reforms: The Role of Quality Assurance, Standards and Professional Development in Nigeria. Kontagora International Journal of Educational Research, 1(2), 20–27.
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Park, S. Y., Chen, Y., & Rudkin, S. (2015). Technological and organisational adaptation of EMR implementation in an emergency department. ACM Transactions on Computer-Human Interaction (TOCHI), 22(1), 1-24.
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Sallis, E. (2014). Total quality management in education. Routledge.
Seligman, M. (2015). Evidence-based approaches in positive education: Implementing a strategic framework for school well-being. Springer.
Shaffi, M., & Mohamed, S. (2023). The perceptions of key stakeholder groups on how transnational higher education contributes to building a knowledge-based economy in a developing country (Doctoral dissertation, Anglia Ruskin Research Online (ARRO)).
Shauli Mukherjee, D. P. B., Pandey, M. P., & Sameem, M. M. (2022). Fundamentals of Educational Administration, Management And Organization. Ashok Yakkaldevi.
Sulemana, M. A. (2019). The Role of Educational Supervision In Ensuring Quality Basic Education Delivery In The Zabzugu District (Doctoral dissertation).
Thekdi, S., & Aven, T. (2024). A classification system for characterising the integrity and quality of evidence in risk studies. Risk Analysis, 44(1), 264-280.
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Usman, Y. D., & Chinyere, M. G. (2021). Quality assurance in Nigeria’s education system: Prospect and challenges. EduLine: Journal of Education and Learning Innovation, 1(2), 76-83.
Usman, Y. D., & Madudili, G. C. (2020). Assessment of the impact of computer-assisted instruction on teaching and learning in Nigeria: A theoretical viewpoint. International Journal of Education and Development using Information and Communication Technology, 16(2), 259-271.
Wani, I. A., & Mehraj, H. K. (2014). Total quality management in education: An analysis. International Journal of Humanities and Social Science Invention, 3(6), 71-78.
Yirdaw, A. (2016). Quality of education in private higher institutions in Ethiopia: The role of governance. SAGE open, 6(1), 2158244015624950.
York, T. T., Gibson, C., & Rankin, S. (2015). Defining and measuring academic success. Practical assessment, research & evaluation, 20(5), 5.
Yusuf, A., & Mohd, S. (2022). Growth and fiscal effects of insecurity on the Nigerian economy. The European Journal of Development Research, 1.
Zajda, J. (2023). Quality education in schools. Curriculum and Teaching, 38(2), 93–108.
Závadský, J., Korenková, V., Závadská, Z., Kadárová, J., & Tuček, D. (2019). Competences in the quality management system evaluation based on the most worldwide used key performance indicators. Calitatea, 20(169), 29-41.
Amoatey, C. T., Ameyaw, Y. A., Adaku, E., & Famiyeh, S. (2015). Analysing delay causes and effects in Ghanaian state housing construction projects. International Journal of Managing Projects in Business, 8(1), 198-214.
Asiyai, R. I. (2015). Improving Quality Higher Education in Nigeria: The Roles of Stakeholders. International Journal of Higher Education, 4(1), 61-70.
Baird, J., Plummer, R., Schultz, L., Armitage, D., & Bodin, Ö. (2019). How does socio-institutional diversity affect collaborative governance of social-ecological systems in practice? Environmental management, 63, 200–214.
Banji, F. J. (2011). External quality assurance in higher education: The need for a paradigm shift. In COREVIP 2011: Conference of Rectors, Vice Chancellors & Presidents of African Universities: Strengthening the Space of Higher Education in Africa.
Basiru, A. S. (2018). Democracy Deficit and the Deepening Crisis of Corruption in Post-Authoritarian Nigeria. Taiwan Journal of Democracy, 14(2), 121-142.
Besong, E. N. (2022). Interrogating the Contemporary Standard of Education In 21st Century Nigeria. Journal of African Studies and Sustainable Development. https://acjol.org/index.php/jassd/article/view/3164/3112
Chidobi, R. U., & Eze Thecla, A. Y. (2016). Utilisation of the Quality Assurance Handbook in Secondary School Supervision of Instruction in Enugu State, Nigeria. World Journal of Education, 6(4), 30-37.
Creemers, B. P., & Kyriakides, L. (2013). Improving quality in education: Dynamic approaches to school improvement. Routledge.
David, S., & Folashade, E. G. (2023). Quality Assurance of Business Education Programme in Tertiary Institutions in Nigeria. IJEBD (International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Business Development), 6(3), 464–472.
Deming, W. E. (2018). The new economics for industry, government and education. MIT Press.
Ekundayo, H. T. (2012). School facilities as correlates of students’ achievement in the affective and psychomotor domains of learning. European Scientific Journal, 8(6), 208-215.
Enemuo, C. J., & Okafor, P. C. (2023). Influence of ICT in Enhancing The Quality Assurance Procedure In Education System In Nigeria. Int'l Journal of Education Research and Scientific Development, 2(2), 14-14.
Fasanya, A. G., Negedu, S. A., & Abdulwaheed, O. I. (2023). Quality Assessment for Instructional Process in Tertiary Institutions In Nigeria: Challenges And Way Forward. Journal of Science, Technology and Mathematics Pedagogy, 1(2), 183-201.
Gamage, K. A., Silva, E. K. D., & Gunawardhana, N. (2020). Online delivery and assessment during COVID-19: Safeguarding academic integrity. Education Sciences, 10(11), 301.
Groff, J. (2013). Technology-rich innovative learning environments. OCED CERI Innovative Learning Environment project, 2013, 1–30.
Ibad, W. (2024). The concept of quality in curriculum: A review of the literature on determining curriculum quality. Jurnal Kependidikan Islam, 14(2), 104-117.
Imhangbe, O. S., Oviawe, J. I., Aluede, O., Obinyan, G., & Oke, T. D. (2023). Challenges and Emerging Perspectives of Quality Assurance and Teacher Education in Nigerian Universities: A Literature Review. Open Education Studies, 5(1), 20220203.
Iruonagbe, C. T., Imhonopi, D., & Egharevba, M. E. (2015). Higher education in Nigeria and the emergence of private universities. International Journal of Education and Research, 3(2), 49-64.
Isa, A., & Yusoff, Z. (2015). State of physical facilities of higher education institutions in Nigeria. International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications, 5(4), 1.
Jaber, M. A., & Al Batsh, M. W. (2016). Jordanian experience in accreditation and quality assurance in HEIs. US-China Foreign Language, 14(4), 312-327.
Jacob, O. N., Monsurat, A. O., & Musa, A. (2021). Quality assurance in Nigerian public higher institutions: Challenges and way forward. Web of Scientist: International Scientific Research Journal, 2(07), 36–55.
Kapelela, C., Mislay, M. A., & Manyengo, P. R. (2025). The politics of school governance in the context of education decentralisation policy reforms in selected public secondary schools in Tanzania. Cogent Education, 12(1), 2442251.
Kaur, H., Keshri, R., & Sharma, A. (2020). Casualties caused by COVID-19 in the education system. International Journal for Research in Applied Sciences and Biotechnology (IJRASB), 7(5), 125–133.
Kumar, A. (2021). Impact of COVID-19 on the education system. International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology, 10(6), 955–958.
Kumwenda, B. H. H. (2024). The influence of school culture on students’ learning in high and low performing schools in Malawi: A case study of school managers’ perspectives in central west education division (Doctoral dissertation, Mzuzu University).
Lawal, K. I. (2021). Quality Assurance Strategies and Teachers’ Job Performance in Public Secondary Schools, Ilorin West LGA Kwara State (Master's thesis, Kwara State University (Nigeria)).
Lynch, K., Grummell, B., & Devine, D. (2012). New managerialism in education. Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan.
Montgomery, D. C. (2020). Introduction to statistical quality control. John Wiley & sons.
Ndaita, J. S. (2015). Influence of Principals’ Instructional Quality Assurance Role on Students Academic Performance In Kitui West District, Kenya (Doctoral dissertation).
Niedermeier, F. (2017). Designing Effective Quality Management Systems in Higher Education Institutions-Training on Internal Quality Assurance Series| Module 1. Training on Internal Quality Assurance Series (TrainIQA), 1.
Nilsson, M., Zamparutti, T., Petersen, J. E., Nykvist, B., Rudberg, P., & McGuinn, J. (2012). Understanding policy coherence: analytical framework and examples of sector–environment policy interactions in the EU. Environmental policy and governance, 22(6), 395-423.
Njoku, L. (2016). Nigerian educational development & need for quality sustenance (Doctoral dissertation).
Nwosu, C. F. (2024). Nigeria and the People: Issues, Facts and Figures. In Systemic Remediation: Approaching Sustainable Development Narratives from the Nigerian Afro-Igbo Mmadụ Perspective (pp. 1–69). Cham: Springer Nature Switzerland.
Obadara, O. E., & Alaka, A. (2013). Accreditation and quality assurance in Nigerian universities. Journal of education and practice, 4(8).
Obilor, E. I., & Ikpa, A. I. (2022). Review of the Process and Challenges in the Implementation of Academic Accreditation in Higher Educational Institutions in Nigeria. International Journal of Scholarly and Educational Research in Africa.
Obizue, M. N., & Enomah, S. (2025). Human Capital Development and Educational Advancement In Nigeria: Realities And Way Forward. Int'l Journal of Education Research and Scientific Development, 7(2), 15-27.
Olofinniyi, O. E., & Agada, E. J. (2024). Education sector reforms: The Role of Quality Assurance, Standards and Professional Development in Nigeria. Kontagora International Journal of Educational Research, 1(2), 20–27.
Omodero, C. O., Adeyemo, K. A., Ekundayo, O., Omesue, C. E., Eriabie, S., & Lawrence, I. (2023). Tertiary Education Tax, Information Technology Development Levy and Funding of Educational System in Nigeria. Journal of Educational and Social Research, 13.
Park, S. Y., Chen, Y., & Rudkin, S. (2015). Technological and organisational adaptation of EMR implementation in an emergency department. ACM Transactions on Computer-Human Interaction (TOCHI), 22(1), 1-24.
Romiszowski, A. J. (2016). Designing instructional systems: Decision making in course planning and curriculum design. Routledge.
Sadowsky, J. (2023). Imperial bedlam: Institutions of madness in colonial southwest Nigeria (Vol. 10). University of California Press.
Sallis, E. (2014). Total quality management in education. Routledge.
Seligman, M. (2015). Evidence-based approaches in positive education: Implementing a strategic framework for school well-being. Springer.
Shaffi, M., & Mohamed, S. (2023). The perceptions of key stakeholder groups on how transnational higher education contributes to building a knowledge-based economy in a developing country (Doctoral dissertation, Anglia Ruskin Research Online (ARRO)).
Shauli Mukherjee, D. P. B., Pandey, M. P., & Sameem, M. M. (2022). Fundamentals of Educational Administration, Management And Organization. Ashok Yakkaldevi.
Sulemana, M. A. (2019). The Role of Educational Supervision In Ensuring Quality Basic Education Delivery In The Zabzugu District (Doctoral dissertation).
Thekdi, S., & Aven, T. (2024). A classification system for characterising the integrity and quality of evidence in risk studies. Risk Analysis, 44(1), 264-280.
Usman, Y. D. (2016). Educational Resources: An Integral Component for Effective School Administration in Nigeria. Online Submission, 6(13), 27–37.
Usman, Y. D., & Chinyere, M. G. (2021). Quality assurance in Nigeria’s education system: Prospect and challenges. EduLine: Journal of Education and Learning Innovation, 1(2), 76-83.
Usman, Y. D., & Madudili, G. C. (2020). Assessment of the impact of computer-assisted instruction on teaching and learning in Nigeria: A theoretical viewpoint. International Journal of Education and Development using Information and Communication Technology, 16(2), 259-271.
Wani, I. A., & Mehraj, H. K. (2014). Total quality management in education: An analysis. International Journal of Humanities and Social Science Invention, 3(6), 71-78.
Yirdaw, A. (2016). Quality of education in private higher institutions in Ethiopia: The role of governance. SAGE open, 6(1), 2158244015624950.
York, T. T., Gibson, C., & Rankin, S. (2015). Defining and measuring academic success. Practical assessment, research & evaluation, 20(5), 5.
Yusuf, A., & Mohd, S. (2022). Growth and fiscal effects of insecurity on the Nigerian economy. The European Journal of Development Research, 1.
Zajda, J. (2023). Quality education in schools. Curriculum and Teaching, 38(2), 93–108.
Závadský, J., Korenková, V., Závadská, Z., Kadárová, J., & Tuček, D. (2019). Competences in the quality management system evaluation based on the most worldwide used key performance indicators. Calitatea, 20(169), 29-41.
Published
2025-03-09
How to Cite
ODUKOYA, A. A. (2025). Policy Fluctuations and Their Impact on Quality Assurance in Higher Education in Nigeria. Jurnal Saintifik (Multi Science Journal), 23(2), 81-94. https://doi.org/10.58222/js.v23i2.404
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