Autonomy, Unions, and Governance: The Nigerian University Experience

Abstract

This article provides a critical analysis of university governance in Nigeria, examining the persistent tension between institutional autonomy, the advocacy of academic staff unions, and systemic political and economic pressures. Using a qualitative research design, this study draws on document and historical institutional analysis of formal agreements, university statutes, and policy documents to investigate this complex dynamic. The analysis is framed by a hybrid theoretical model integrating Stakeholder Theory and Principal-Agent Theory. It argues that the recurrent crises in Nigeria's university system stem from a fundamental misalignment of interests between the government (the principal), university administrations (the agents), and academic unions (key stakeholders). The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) emerges not merely as a trade union but as a significant force that has reshaped governance through collective bargaining, influencing the composition of governing councils, democratising leadership appointments, and establishing oversight committees. However, these gains are consistently undermined by challenges such as chronic underfunding, political interference, corruption, and brain drain, which disrupt the academic environment and fuel industrial unrest. The study finds that while staff unions use strikes to hold the government accountable, this adversarial approach perpetuates instability. The paper concludes by recommending an integrated governance model that enforces collective bargaining agreements, respects university autonomy, promotes democratic leadership, and reframes unions as collaborative partners rather than adversaries. By viewing the governance dilemma through this dual theoretical lens, the paper offers new insights for policymakers and contributes to the limited literature on the intersection of unionism and university governance in developing nations.