A Decolonial Strategy to Reconstruct Student-Management Relationships in a University System

Abstract

Despite the contributions of university education to nation-building, the potential of Nigeria’s university system to fulfil its responsibilities is frequently obstructed by crises. Among the prominent crises, according to observations and literature, are those linked to student-management dichotomies, which make it practically impossible for universities to actualise their aims. This study is framed by the theory of decoloniality, and aimed to formulate a strategy to enhance the management of crises involving students and universities authorities. Participatory Action Research was adopted as research design. Focus group discussion was used to collect data. Ten participants that acted as co-researchers, from Nigeria, representing university management staff, lecturers, security personnel and student union leaders, both past and present. The participants were selected using the expert sampling technique. Socio-thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. The study revealed that a lack of modern communication, poor dialogue mechanisms, and students’ non-involvement in decision-making were major propellers of student-management dichotomies in the university system. The study recommends solutions, among which a mobile/electronic application designed as a strategy to decolonise the old ways of managing students in a university system.

Received: 18 November 2020 / Accepted: 2 February 2021 / Published: 5 March 2021