Asia Pacific Journal of Multidisciplinary Research, Vol. 3, No. 2, May 2015 _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 92 P-ISSN 2350-7756 | E-ISSN 2350-8442 | www.apjmr.com Administrative Practices’ Benchmark for Quality Assurance in Nigerian Universities Princewill I. Egwuasi (PhD) 1 , Rita N. Udoye 2 , Alice G. Etuk (PhD) 3 1 Information and Public Relations, University of Uyo, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria 2 Dept. of Vocational Education, Federal College of Education Technical, Asaba, Delta State, Nigeria 3 Department of Vocational Education, Home Economics Unit, Faculty of Education, University of Uyo, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria 1 prikeg@yahoo.com Date Received: April 17, 2015; Date Revised: May 20, 2015 Abstract - The paper examined Administrative Practices’ Benchmark for Quality Assurance in Nigerian universities. As a conceptual paper, the meaning of administrative practices was sought as it relates to the school system. Disciplinary measures and work load were identified as some of the administrative practices which must be put in place for quality assurance in Nigerian universities, since the universities have a role to play in the national development as it must actualize the primary functions of establishing such institutions, which are teaching, research and community service. The paper argues that the sustainability of university education standards lies not only in the hands of government, but also the university management which must provide a good working condition in order to have the best from the lecturers. Keywords: Quality Assurance, Nigeria, Higher Education INTRODUCTION No meaningful development, no matter the level, in any society, can take place without reference to education. Education is the power that sustains the people and community; any systematic deviations in education with regards to administrative practices, programmes, quality and quantity would surely affect the level of reliability and productivity of the people and the society in general. In Nigerian educational system, there are four sub-sectors namely: pre-primary, primary, secondary and tertiary levels. According to Federal Republic of Nigeria (FRN) (2004), tertiary education is the education given after secondary education in universities, colleges of education, polytechnics and monotechnics, including institutions offering correspondence courses. Most importantly, FRN (2004) further presented the objectives and goals of establishing such institutions (tertiary institutions) to include: to contribute to national development through relevant manpower training; to develop and inculcate proper values for the survival of the individual and society; to develop the intellectual capability of individuals to understand and appreciate their local and external environment; to acquire both physical and intellectual skills, which will enable individuals to be self-reliant and useful members of the society; to promote and encourage scholarship and community service; and to promote national and international understanding and interaction (p.36). The document also asserted that these objectives and goals would be achieved through several methodologies which include maintenance of minimum standards through appropriate agencies. Hence, the need to search for such standards as benchmarks for quality assurance in university education. In congruence, Fabunmi (2005) posited that the importance of university education cannot be over- emphasized, in that, it is linked to national development. To this end, Fabunmi argued that it is essential for the university education to be of good quality. Cole (1996) saw quality as having to do with whether something is good or bad. It is about standard (benchmark) of something when compared with other things. It, the author stated, therefore presupposes that there is a standard set against which the outcome is compared. Jaiyeoba and Atanda (2005) also added that quality could be viewed as degree or level of excellence. It is synonymous with standard, efficiency, excellence, relevance and worthiness.