ABSTRACT
This study focused on "An assessment of the management of students' Welfare
services in universities in three Geo-Political Zones in Northern part of Nigeria" The
study was specifically interested in finding out the types of welfare services available in
the system and the impact they have on the students' behaviour. The inadequate
provision of the students, welfare facilities and their management were assumed by the
stakeholders and members of the public as factors militating against students' peaceful
behavour in the University system. The objectives of the study therefore were to
identify the types of students' welfare services and to assess the availability as well as
to examine the impact of each welfare service on the students' social and academic
behaviour. The critical areas examined were social, academic, medical and
environmental services. Twenty (20) hypotheses were postulated to find out the
significant differences in the opinions of the three groups of respondents. The
researcher reviewed relevant literature to establish the theoretical base for the study.
The descriptive and survey methods were adopted for investigations, identification and
collection of data. The total population of subjects was two hundred and twenty six
thousand nine hundred and forty six (226,946), made up of 206,948 students, 19,448
service staff and 450 top management staff, in the sixteen Universities in the three GeoïÂÂPolitical Zones in Northern part of Nigeria. Through random sampling Technique, five
Universities; Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Bayero University Kano, University of
Maiduguri, University of Jos and Usmanu Dan Fodiyo University were selected, being
one third of the sixteen Universities, in the three Geo Political Zones in Northern part of
Nigeria. Out of the total of one hundred and thirteen thousand two hundred and eight
(113208) subjects consisting of 109,774 students 3389 service staff and 45 top
management staff in the five sampled Universities, 770 respondents were used. Out of
the 770 copies of the questionnaire designed and administered by the researcher, 463
copies were returned. The questionnaire as the basic instrument was vetted by the
experts in Educational Administration and Planning and Educational Statistics Sections
and subjected to pilot study in Federal College of Education Zaria. The Analysis of
Variance (ANOVA) and Scheffe's statistical test were used to test the Null hypotheses.
Eight out of twenty hypotheses were retained, while twelve were rejected. The twelve
were subjected to Scheffe's test to determine the extent of significant difference in the
respondents' opinion. The major finding of the research indicated that the social,
academic, medical and environmental students' services were available but not
adequate in the Universities. It was also discovered that some services had positive
impact on students' behaviour and academic performance. Recommendations such as
the need for improved fund allocation to the Universities by the Government were
offered for better provision, management and improvement of students' welfare services
for peaceful social and academic performance by students in the Universities. A model
for effective and efficient management of the students' welfare services was also
developed by the researcher. Finally suggestions were also made for further research
into the area of students' welfare services in the University system in Nigeria in general.
