An Evaluation Of The Impact Of Capacity Building Policy On The Performance Of Public Universities In Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined the impact of Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) interventions on public universities in North-Central Nigeria between 2011 and 2018, focusing on the extent to which TETFund capacity-building projects improved university performance and the functionality of infrastructure provided through the intervention scheme. The Nigerian university system has long faced challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, poor funding, declining academic standards, and limited staff development opportunities, which necessitated government intervention through TETFund. The study was anchored on Lindblom’s Incremental Model and adopted a survey research design using both primary and secondary data sources. A sample of 398 respondents was selected from four public universities through stratified and purposive sampling techniques. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. Findings revealed that TETFund capacity-building projects significantly enhanced the performance of public universities through staff training, research development, conference sponsorship, and improved academic productivity. The study also found that infrastructure provided by TETFund, including lecture halls, laboratories, libraries, and office facilities, was largely functional and contributed positively to teaching, learning, and research activities. However, challenges such as delays in project execution, inadequate maintenance culture, bureaucratic bottlenecks, and lack of transparency in fund administration limited the full realization of the scheme’s objectives. The study concludes that TETFund interventions have contributed significantly to the revitalization and development of public universities in North-Central Nigeria. It recommends effective monitoring of projects, regular maintenance of facilities, increased transparency in fund allocation, and equitable access to capacity-building opportunities to enhance the sustainability and effectiveness of TETFund interventions.