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Paper short abstract

The study examines the relationship between politics and policy in higher education in Nigeria, using Ondo State as a case study. It compares policy implementation at Adekunle Ajasin University and Rufus Giwa Polytechnic and the effects of political interference during implementation.

Paper long abstract

Although higher education plays a pivotal role in national development, it continues to experience decline in Nigeria. As a subset, tertiary institutions in Ondo State face challenges ranging from ineffective teaching methods and shortages of qualified personnel to deteriorating infrastructure. These problems mirror broader issues confronting higher education across many African countries. Since Nigeria’s return to democratic governance in 1999, policy implementation in the higher education sector has been subjected to contestation between political elites and bureaucrats, often hindering the implementation of well-intentioned policies. However, previous studies largely overlook this political dimension of policy implementation within the state’s higher education sub-sector. Using a comparative approach, this study examines the implementation of recruitment, funding and welfare policies at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko (AAUA) and Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo (RUGIPO), both owned by Ondo State. It investigates the relationship between political officeholders and institutional managements in policy formulation and implementation. Data are drawn from primary and secondary sources. Primary data are obtained from unstructured interviews and structured questionnaires involving forty-seven purposively selected stakeholders and 240 respondents from both institutions. The findings reveal significant political interference in the implementation of recruitment, funding and welfare policies in both institutions. Evidence shows a strong relationship between politics and policy implementation, with the political environment exerting a negative influence on policy outcomes. The study concludes that political involvement remains a major factor undermining effective policy implementation and recommends insulating policy processes from political manipulation.