AN ORGANIZATIONAL SYSTEMS MODEL TO ASSIST THE NATIONAL UNIVERSITIES COMMISSION OF NIGERIA IN DEALING WITH THE CRITICAL PROBLEMS OF CONCERN TO THE UNIVERSITIES

Greater governmental control over higher education has become a common phenomenon in many countries. This trend has often led to much disruption and confusion, as in the case of Nigeria, where student unrest and violence and faculty strikes have led to the closure of the country's higher institutions, loss of lives and dismissal of faculty members and student ring-leaders. The purpose of this study was to identify and analyze the provisions and activities of the Nigerian Universities Commission--the government-established body in control of higher education--and to ascertain the factors that have caused the crises. Having identified the causes, and utilizing the systems approach in treating the problems in a unified way, an organizational systems model was developed as a proposal for more effective structuring of the commission and definition of its task. The university was treated as a subsystem of the social system of the country affected by the political, social, economic and cultural systems in its society. Three major problems were identified: communication, resource acquisition and faculties' condition of service. A literature review was conducted to determine those countries operating under similar educational systems and the range and configurations of systems models that have been applied to educational systems. A model was synthesized decentralizing the N.U.C. and creating a network of N.U.C. Province for each institution. Roles and responsibilities were clearly defined. The model was sent to experts for evaluation, followed by tape-recorded interviews. Human behavior is highly influenced by the design of the organization and the nature and way information and work flow through the organization. Therefore, behavior in organizations can be understood only by also understanding the entire organization as a complex of subsystems. A model is conceptualized as thinking made public. It is meant to clarify and generate information. However, a model cannot provide final answers and is not intended to. It has served its purpose if it provides fresh insights into the working of the systems.