Enhancing Internal Quality Assurance Practices for Universities Effectiveness in Nigeria.

Abstract

The study investigated the relationship between quality assurance practices and universities effectiveness in Nigeria. The descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. The population comprised 138 academic heads of departments and programme managers from two universities. All the 138 academic heads and programme managers made up the sample for the study. Data was collected with the aid of a questionnaire titled: Internal Quality Assurance Practices and Universities Effectiveness Questionnaire (IQAPUEQ). The questionnaire was validated by some experts. The Cronbach Alpha method of reliability was used to determine the reliability of the instrument, which gave a coefficient of r=0.71. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics (means and standard deviation) on a 4-point scale.  An item with a mean score of 2.50 and above was accepted, while an item with a mean score of less than 2.50 was not accepted. The result of the study revealed that there is a significant positive relationship between assessment of students’ examination, internal appraisal of programmes, mentoring new entrants into the academic profession, faculty/departmental committees/units and universities effectiveness.  It was recommended, among others, that the management of universities should ensure prompt and regular appraisal of academic programmes to determine their suitability, sustainability and compliance with academic standards.