Effect of Fund Mismanagement on Educational Quality in Secondary Schools

This study examines the effect of fund mismanagement on educational quality in secondary schools in Kogi State, Nigeria. Secondary education plays a pivotal role in national development, but its effectiveness is increasingly threatened by the diversion, embezzlement, and inefficient use of allocated resources. Guided by Agency Theory, the research employed a survey design with a population of 136 staff members at Kogi State University Staff Secondary School, Anyigba. A census sampling technique was adopted, and data were collected using structured questionnaires. Analytical methods included descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation to establish the relationship between fund mismanagement and educational quality. The results reveal that the majority of respondents acknowledged widespread diversion of funds, lack of transparency in budget allocations, and weak accountability mechanisms. Correlation analysis shows a statistically significant and strong negative relationship (r = –0.684, p < 0.05) between fund mismanagement and educational quality, indicating that as mismanagement increases, the quality of education decreases. The study concludes that financial irregularities adversely affect infrastructure, teacher motivation, and learning outcomes, thereby weakening the capacity of schools to meet quality standards. It recommends strengthened financial monitoring, independent audits, transparency mechanisms, stakeholder involvement, and the adoption of technology-driven accountability systems. These findings underscore the urgent need for governance reforms in educational finance to ensure sustainable quality education in Nigeria.