The problem of the dissertation was to examine the establishment and subsequent development of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and to determine whether the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, has adapted western higher education so that it provides experiences relevant to the aptitudes, occupations, traditions, and needs of the Nigerian people. The issues were the historical establishment and development of the University with respect to: mission and goals, administration, organization, and control, admission requirements, students, faculty, curriculum, and the extent the original expectations for the University have been met.
Data relating to the establishment and the development of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, were gathered and analyzed.
Findings. The curricula in use in the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, during the years 1960-1967 was related to the day-to-day life of the people it was meant to serve, and it was so organized as to relate to the mission of the university to social and economic needs of the people. The Nigerian Civil War disrupted the progress made in the university, and there was inability to continue the program after the civil war. Nigerianization of curricula and faculty have been achieved, different positions are now filled by Nigerians. Enrollment of the University has gone up to more than 15,000. The federal government took over the management of the university after the civil war. The University has gone back to its original philosophy of meeting the needs of Nigerian people.
Conclusions. The University of Nigeria, Nsukka, should continue to maintain the curricular in use which will be related to the day-to-day life of the people of Nigeria as a whole, and it should be so organized as to relate to the mission of the University to social and economic needs of the people. However, the responsibility for appointments and admissions may shift more and more to the University. Generally, there has been little or no government intervention. Curricular decisions have generally been left in the hands of the faculty.
The system of higher education in the University of Nigeria, Nsukka is in a process of change, for it is becoming more professional and technical. There is an admiration for the broadly based degree program, which is believed will better serve the educational needs of Nigeria.
