40 IABR Volume 1, Number 2, Spring 2015 INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY OF BUSINESS REVIEW ISSN: 2332-8398 | Spring 2015 Vol. 1, No. 2, pp.40 – 58 http://www.aa-pub.com EXAMINATION OF THE STRATEGIES FOR HIGHER EDUCATION IN NIGERIA Stephen Ocheni, Kogi State University Abstract The study examines the strategies for higher education in Nigeria. It adopts a survey design as part of its methodology. A sample size of 375 respondents was drawn randomly from a population of 7580. Data were collected using a questionnaire instrument tagged: Assessment of Strategies for higher Education Questionnaire (ASHEQ).Data collected was statistically treated using I-test and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA,). The findings of the study revealed among others that exploitation, inadequate staff training; poor parenting/guidance; poverty; overcrowded classrooms (32.50%), inadequate funding (25.02%) and dilapidated buildings accounted for the fall in standard of education in Nigeria. The paper recommends the adequate training and re-training of all education managers and provision of sufficient fund for the sector; recruitment of teachers, construction and renovation of classroom facilities and periodic program evaluation to ascertain areas of needs. INTRODUCTION Education remains a social process in capacity building and maintenance of society. It could be seen as a weapon for acquiring skills, relevant knowledge and habits for survival in an ever changing world. Education seem to be identified as a dynamic instrument of change, hence developed countries and those aspiring to develop have adopted it as an instrument per excellence for effecting national development (Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2004). Education is a tool that enhances capacity building and is responsible for the maintenance of society for decades. It is a weapon for acquiring skills, relevant knowledge and habits for surviving in the changing world. Nigeria, as a nation, needs the education of its citizens, in her onward march to technological development. The emphasis placed on education cannot be over-emphasized. It therefore needs the collective effort of all citizens to eradicate illiteracy which is dangerous, and vulnerable to the populace. However, Agada (2012) noted that education may not do the magic overnight but it would go a long way towards achieving global awareness whereby the populace would know the dynamics of what exists in their societies. This is true because