A Study of the Professionalism of Student Affairs at a Nigerian Private University
Dare Ojo Omonijo *
Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Nigeria.
Michael Chibuzor Anyaegbunam
Department of Psychology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria.
Albert Oguche Shaibu
Kogi State College of Education, Ankpa, Nigeria.
Chidozie Emmanuel Mabia
Department of Psychology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria.
Mary Jude-Therese Nwodo
Department of Religion Studies, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
This study applied data from descriptive background to conduct a research on student affairs professionalism at a Nigerian private University. The study among other things investigated the: programmes of study of student affairs personnel; percentage of staff who are interested in student affairs profession, percentage of personnel who have acquired degrees and trainings in Student Affairs profession. The study engaged the use of questionnaire to collect data from 108 respondents. The results of the investigation showed that majority of staff members had never obtained any degree in student affairs profession. Also, the findings revealed that absolute majority of respondents had never received any training in a student affairs profession. It also indicated that majority of respondents lack any knowledge of appreciable student affairs service, as a career. Following this, recommendations were made on how personnel in student affairs can obtain degrees and trainings in student affairs career. Suggestions were also made on to commencement student affairs professionalism not only in the institution under study, but also in African higher institutions.
Keywords: Professionalism, student affairs, personnel.