Promotional Rules and the Extent of Adherence by Management in Selected South-South Universities in Nigeria: An Ethical Overview

Abstract

This study examines the extent to which laid down promotional rules are adhered to by the management of selected south-south universities. The theoretical basis for this study is the Justice Ethical Theory and the Labeling Theory. The application of the Taro Yamen sample size determination formula gave the researcher 381 lecturers as the sample size out of the 8,180 lecturers of the 8 randomly selected universities that formed the population and 174 Appointment and Promotion Committee (A&PC) members out of the 307 members that constitute the A&PC of the 8 randomly selected South-South universities. The A&PC members were interviewed to get a balanced view. The Regression Analysis and the Spearman Rank Correlation Coefficient tools were used to test the research objective and hypothesis. The findings shows that laid down promotional procedures and rules are not followed and also lecturers participation in the Academic staff union of universities (ASUU) activities reduces their gaining promotion by 29.90%. It also shows antagonism and victimization of academic staff is an on going occurrence. This study recommends among others that promotion of lecturers should be based on laid down criteria whether one is an ally of the Vice Chancellor or not, unbiased and fair appointment of lecturers into senate and other key positions, raising a standing committee to handle grievances and face-offs, as well as removal of Vice Chancellors as members of Governing Councils and the Appointment and Promotion Committees so that he does not become the prosecutor and the judge at the same time.