Staff and Students' Perception of Students’ Participation in University Governance in Ekiti and Ondo States, Nigeria

Abstract

This study investigated staff and students' perception of students ' Over the decades, many African countries and most especially Nigeria, has been clamoring for the sustainability of democracy, which is the government of the people by the people and for the people. Literature has revealed that for democracy to survive, not only the appropriate political parties need be put in place. Bergan (2005) opined that higher education has been recognized as key to delivering the knowledge requirements for political development while Akomolafe and Ibijola, (2012) submitted that students' participation in university governance allows for development of leadership. Lambert (2012) posited that the campus is now the most veritable training ground for future politician and leaders. He further stressed that students who participate in unionism may not necessary be studying political science or similar courses, but they are people who are inclined to politics. Observation have also shown that, most politicians, have at one time or the other played very active role in campus politics during their school days. There have been instances also where formal student leaders later lead political or informal organizations, after graduation.Consequently, if extra-curricular students development and students participation in university governance could serve as a training ground to instill and support democratic values and practices, then students should be allowed their rightful place in university governance. However it is on records that the historical struggle of the Nigerian students for a democratic culture and tradition in the Nigerian society predates any of the existing political parties to the struggle for power. On this premise, one would agree that higher education has a very strong