Space Management Strategies and Challenges in Nigerian Universities

Abstract

Space management is crucial in supporting the academic mission of universities. This study assessed strategies and challenges of space management practices in public tertiary educational institutions in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. A mixed-methods research design was used. A case study approach was also adopted. Data collection was done by the use of open-ended and unstructured interviews with participants. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. Universities in the study area adopted diverse strategies and techniques to manage their space, and various factors influenced space management decisions. However, universities faced significant challenges in meeting the National Universities Commission (NUC) minimum space requirements. The findings contribute to the understanding of space management issues in Nigerian universities and provide valuable insights for developing context-specific solutions to optimize space utilization and support the academic mission and vision of universities.