AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY: TWENTY YEARS OF DEVELOPMENT (1962-1982)

AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY: TWENTY YEARS OF DEVELOPMENT (1962-1982)

ABSTRACT
This research investigated the development of Ahmadu
Bello University during the last two decades, with specific
reference to and emphasis on the role of administrative
functions and planning in the realisation of the goals of
the University as conceived by the founding Fathers. A
University which opened with 425 students in 7 foundation
faculties and 15 departments in 1962, now has a student
population of 12,500 undergraduates and post graduates
11 faculties and 80 Departments in 1982.
Besides the historical and the statistical presentations
made about the University, six null hypotheses were formulated
and subjected to testing. The hypotheses attempted to assess
the rapport within the academic community, the achievements,
the quality of management, the role of finance and the
fulfilment of the goals of the founding Fathers, with a view
to ascertaining the realities of the situation.

 

Questionnaires were the main instruments of investigation,
supplemented by structured (focused) interviews. The sample
of the various subjects involved in the investigation cut
across a wide spectrum of the society. The first indigenous
Governor of Northern Nigeria, and six past and present
principal officers of the University, and some pioneer
Council members were interviewed. The 40 administrative
staff, 195 academic staff, 313 students, 57 local farmers,
local traders and cattle rearers, five early settlers
including the Chief of Samaru Village, were selected as
group samples of the target population for the research.
The data collected from both the primary and the
secondary sources were analysed using the t-test, the ANOVA
and the Scheffe statistical instruments.
Both the planning and the administrative functions
of the University were delineated and the respective responses
related to each parameter were categorised. A model university
was constructed based on a theoretical framework presented
by the researcher Ahmadu Bello University was then screened
in juxtaposition to the model university, to determine the
extent of its conformity with, or deviation from the model
universe’ .
The research revealed that the planning and the
administrative functions were influenced largely by a
number of complex factors. Among the major factors identified
in the research are:
(a) Funding and financial constraints in the face of
high demand for admissions, particularly from the Northern
States. This at one time precipitated a crisis for Ahmadu
Bello University in the late 1960s and early 1970s. So
finance played a major role as confirmed by respondents within
and outside the University in accordance with hypothesis 5.
(b) Administrative leadership style of successive
chief academic and executive officers in the management
of the University. This related to hypotheses 2 and 4.
(c) Development planning problems were quite often
on the verge of crisis. For instance, planning often seemed
to trail behind actual financial provisions, thereby giving
rise to various problems. This factor hinged on finance,
which has been reflected in hypothesis 5.
(d) In 1975 Ahmadu Bello University was federalised
along with other state universities. This led to a dearth
in basic academic and infrastructural facilities due to
decline in subventions in real terms from 1975 to 1982.
Both factors (c) and (d) related to financing of the University,
an issue embodied for testing in hypothesis 5.
viii
Arising from the findings of the study some key
recommendations were made as follows:
(a) That ways and means be found to promote higher
degree of harmony among the members of the university
community.
(b) That a Visitation Committee be constituted for
periodical appraisal of the academic and administrative
programmes.
(c) That the University farm be commercialised to
include the provision of animal feed mills and equally
retain its academic activities for teaching and research.
(d) That the direct teaching cost be increased
relative to other student costs per annum.
(e) That Ahmadu Bello University should consolidate
its development and expand its postgraduate programmes.
Directions for further research were specified,
calling for comparative research study between Ahmadu Bello
University and the Universities of Tfe, and Lagos as
contemporary institutions.

 

TABLE OF CONTENT

Title page- – – – – – – – – i
Approval page – – – – – – – -ii
Dedication – – – – – – – – -iii
Acknowledgement – – – – – – – -iv
Abstract – – – – – – – – – -v
Table of content – – – – – – – -vi

CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION – – – – – – – -1
1.0 Background of the study – – – – -1
1.1 Statement of the problem – – – – -5
1.2 Purpose of the study – – – – – -6
1.3 Significance of the study – – – – -8
1.4 Research questions – – – – – -9
1.5 Scope of the study – – – – – – -10

CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW – – – – – – -11

CHAPTER THREE

Research methodology – – – – – – -39
Design of study – – – – – – – -40

CHAPTER FOUR

Presentation, analysis and interpretation of data – -48

CHAPTER FIVE

Summary of findings – – – – – – -60
Conclusion – – – – – – – – -61
Recommendations – – – – – – – -62
Suggestions for further research – – – – -64
References – – – – – – – – -65
Appendix I – – – – — – – – -68
Questionnaire. – – – – – – – -69

AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY: TWENTY YEARS OF DEVELOPMENT (1962-1982)

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