Funding tertiary education for students’ academic performance in Rivers State, Nigeria

The study examined funding tertiary education for students’ academic performance in Rivers State, Nigeria. Two research questions guided the study which adopted a descriptive survey design. The population of the study consisted of all the Deans of all the faculties in the three universities in Rivers State (University of Port Harcourt, 15 Deans; Rivers State University, 12 Deans and Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, 7 Deans). The total population was 34 Deans of Faculties. The selected population size was manageable; hence the reason for sampling was jettisoned. The instrument used for data collection was a questionnaire titled “Funding Tertiary Education for Students’ Academic Performance Questionnaire” (FTESAPQ). The reliability of the instrument was determined using Cronbach Alpha which yielded a coefficient of 0.76 indicating positive reliability. Data obtained were analyzed using mean and standard deviation for the research questions. The results showed that increase in school funding and sponsorship with an increase in equal provision and distribution of funds to schools contributed to a very high extent in students’ academic performance. It was concluded that increase in funding tertiary institution helps in students’ academic performance. It was recommended amongst others that; government should increase the rate of funding tertiary education in Nigeria.