DIGITAL ADMISSIONS AND ANALOG POLITICS IN NIGERIAN FEDERAL UNIVERSITIES:: A STUDY OF NNAMDI AZIKIWE UNIVERSITY, AWKA

Abstract

This study examined Digital Admissions and Analog Politics in Nigerian Federal Universities, with particular reference to Nnamdi Azikiwe University. The study was motivated by the persistent coexistence of digital admission systems and informal political practices that continue to influence admission outcomes in Nigerian universities despite ongoing digital transformation reforms. The objectives were to assess the effectiveness of digital admission systems in enhancing transparency and efficiency, determine the extent to which analog political practices influence admission outcomes, and examine the impact of digital literacy and infrastructural readiness on the effectiveness of digital admissions. The study adopted a mixed-methods research design, combining descriptive survey and key informant interviews. Data were collected from 388 respondents and 15 key informants selected through stratified and purposive sampling techniques. The instrument was validated by experts and tested for reliability using Cronbach’s alpha, yielding a coefficient of 0.82. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression analysis with the aid of the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), while qualitative data were analyzed thematically. Findings revealed that digital admission systems significantly improve transparency and efficiency in university admissions. However, analog political practices such as quota systems, institutional discretion, and parental informal influence continue to significantly affect admission outcomes. The study further found that digital literacy and infrastructural adequacy positively influence the effectiveness of digital admission systems. The study concludes that Nigerian university admissions operate within a hybrid system where digital processes coexist with entrenched political structures. The study recommends stronger digital governance, improved ICT infrastructure, enhanced digital literacy, and strict enforcement of merit-based admission policies.