QUALITY OF ACADEMIC FACILITIES IN PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES IN NIGERIA: ARE STUDENTS’ NEEDS MET?

The quality of facilities in educational institutions has been on the increase globally and is receiving much attention in educational research. This is necessitated by the fact that higher educational institutions worldwide are facing commercial competition imposed by economic forces resulting from the development of global education markets. In view of this, this study assessed students’ perception of the quality of academic facilities in private universities in Ogun State, Nigeria. This is with a view to improving the quality of university facilities in order to provide a conducive learning environment for students which will aid in good academic performance. 954 questionnaires were randomly administered to students in five private universities in the study area and a response rate of 71% was achieved. Using descriptive statistics, the results revealed that their needs were fairly met with the majority of the facilities sampled in the library, ICT laboratory and classrooms. The study recommended that facility providers should take note of the facilities whose quality students perceive as not meeting their needs, so as to be able to respond appropriately. This will entail ensuring that provision is made for such facilities in terms of budgeting for upgrading or replacement.