EXPLORING PUSH FACTORS AFFECTING DEVELOPMENT OF FEDERAL UNIVERSITIES IN SOUTH EAST NIGERIA: A MIXED METHOD APPROACH

Abstract

The study explored the push factors inhibiting the development of federal universities in south east Nigeria. Two specific objectives were examined namely; effect of work-life balance and the roles of modern infrastructure on the development of federal universities in South east Nigeria. Accordingly, two hypotheses were tested. The study was anchored on the Resource Dependence Theory as a framework for analysis. A mixed research design was adopted. While the Pearson Product Moment Correlation was utilized for data analysis of research question one, the content analysis was used for research question two. A sample size of 390 gotten with Taro Yamane Technique from 23,414 population of the study. The results showed a significant positive relationship between work-life balance and University development in South-East Nigeria r = .06, P<.05. Also, Lack of modern infrastructure in the federal universities in south east caused by deliberate political exclusion of the region, affects development of federal universities in south east Nigeria. The findings confirmed that inability of the federal universities in south east to promulgate policies to support staff growth inhibit federal university development in south east Nigeria because of the peculiar economic hub of eastern Nigeria. It is recommended that systematic inclusion of the region’s university development should be fast tracked.