Academic freedom and institutional autonomy in the management of Nigerian university education: issues and challenges

Abstract

One of the rationales for existence of university is to create and maintain academic institutions for knowledge and research so as to produce educated citizens, quality manpower, researchers among others. In order to achieve these, the undue interference of the government in the operations of Nigerian university institutions which tends to erode their academic freedom and institutional autonomy should be reduced if not totally curbed. This paper, therefore, examines the concepts of university education management, academic freedom, institutional autonomy and educational accountability. So also, the paper examines historical background and challenges of autonomy of Nigerian higher institutions. Paper concludes that university institutions should be managed in line with their statutory laws and acts. Finally, the paper suggests that Nigerian university should be given free hand to govern themselves. The role of Joint Admission and Matriculation Examinations should be reviewed to avoid eroding university autonomy among others.