Staff and Students' Perception of Students’ Participation in University Governance in Ekiti and Ondo States, Nigeria

Abstract

This study investigated staff and students’ perception of students’ participation in university governance and organizational effectiveness in Ekiti and Ondo States, Nigeria. A descriptive research of survey design was employed. Data were collected with an instrument titled “Questionnaire on Students’ Participation in University Governance’’ (SPUG)”. 200 staff and 520 students were sampled using stratified and simple random sampling techniques. The research hypotheses raised were tested using the t-test statistics.  The results were held significant at 0.05 levels. Simple percentage was employed to answer the research questions.

The findings revealed no significant difference between staff and students’ perception of the level of students’ participation in university governance and the level of organizational effectiveness in the system, as a moderate level of students’ participation in university governance and a moderate level of organizational effectiveness was revealed. Conclusively, participation of students in university governance is perceived as worthwhile to enhance administrative effectiveness. In view of the findings of this study, it is recommended that students be represented on all university statutory committees. An increase in the number of students’ representatives on university committees is also recommended.