Factors Hindering Professionalism in Administrative Roles in Rev. Fr. Moses Orshio Adasu University, Makurdi

Abstract

The declining role of professionalism in university administration is due to the rise of managerialism and excessive administrative burdens. This shift forces administrative staff into rigid, procedural routines rather than strategic service, compounded by a lack of dedicated career development and inadequate professional training. This paper investigated the factors hindering professionalism in administrative roles in Rev. Fr. Moses Orshio Adasu University, Makurdi, Nigeria. The descriptive survey research design was adopted, and data were obtained through a closed-ended questionnaire, while secondary data sources were harnessed to complement the questionnaire. The Taro Yamane (1967) formula was adopted to determine a sample size of 400 respondents among the non-teaching and academic staff in administrative capacities at the university. The study utilised the Transactional Leadership Theory by MacGregor (1978) as its theoretical framework of analysis. The study revealed that chronic underfunding of the university is a major challenge undermining effective professional practices, institutional effectiveness and quality academic, consultancy, and community development efforts of the university. The research also indicates that a lack of funds to provide adequately for the entire university resulted in unequal distribution of financial, human and material resources, which have affected the management of the university in several ways, such as poor and untimely completion of tasks, slow academic progress, inadequacy in maintenance of infrastructure within the campus, poor security network, among many other administrative duties in the university. The study reports that the university's administrative structure does not allow for swift decision-making, making it difficult to carry out effective administrative processes. The paper recommends, among other things, that the institution should establish a Performance Monitoring and Evaluation Unit with clear Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for both teaching and non-teaching staff, while institutionalising periodic audits and maintenance schedules to support transparency, accountability, and operational efficiency. The Management of Rev. Fr. Moses Orshio Adasu University Makurdi should implement mandatory professional development and ethics training programmes for all staff to reinforce institutional values, ensure compliance with procedures, and build a strong culture of professionalism in the university.