Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal – Vol.3, No.7 Publication Date: July. 25, 2016 DoI:10.14738/assrj.37.2013. Mbachu, C. E., Charles-Zalakoro, J. L., & Frank-Oputu, E. A. (2016). Investigation into the Percieved Falling Standard of Educationin the Nigerian University Education. Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal, 3(7) 166-175. Copyright © Society for Science and Education, United Kingdom 166 Investigation into the Percieved Falling Standard of Education in the Nigerian University Education Dr. Comfort Ebere Mbachu PHONE NO/EMAIL: 08037967512, ebymbacu2007@yahoo.com Dr. Justina Lere Charles-Zalakoro (Ph.D) PHONE NUMBER/EMAIL: 08037058195, lerezalakoro@gmail.com Dr. Frank-Oputu, Ekima Ayibaere PHONE NUMBER/EMAIL: 08037985115, Ekimajudith@gmail.com Abstract The sorry state of the education sector in Nigeria, especially the tertiary level is quite alarming. In fact investigation has revealed that the education sector is the least sector the government takes seriously in this country. The adverse effect of this neglect has gotten to a magnitude that if nothing is done urgently to arrest the situation: our generation unborn in this country will be a generation without future. This paper sought to investigate the perceived falling standard of education in the Nigerian tertiary education. The sample consisted of one hundred and fifty (150) students from the Niger Delta University, one hundred and fifty (150) students from the Federal University, Otueke and one hundred stake holders. Altogether, four hundred respondents were randomly selected for the study. Mean and standard deviation and T- test statistical method were employed to analyze the hypothesis raised and tested for significance at alpha level of 0.77 and 0.71 respectively. Findings revealed that some of the problems contributing to the falling standard of education include - corruption too much rots and decay especially in the area of infrastructural facilities. In the light of the above discoveries, recommendations were made: Government should consider the 26% education allocation recommended by UNESCO. There should be less emphasis on paper qualification in the labour market. Keywords: Falling standard, Tertiary education, Paper qualification, Labour market, Human development. INTRODUCTION Education in Nigeria is an instrument “Par excellence” for effecting national development. Government has stated that for the benefit of all citizens, the country’s educational goals shall be clearly set out in terms of their relevance to the needs of the individual and those of the society, in consonance to the realities of our environment and the modern world. (FRN 2013:13). Education provides the foundation and necessary springboard to launch the country on the path of technological and economic development. Any serious minded government should not in any way pay lip-service over education matters. This is because the education sector is the sector that affects other sectors, hence when sick all other sectors are as well sick. Ominiwe, (2013) observed that the neglect of this sector has put Nigeria in shambles today. “When the future leaders and engine room of any nation are not what they should be doing, there will be disaster” (Ominiwe, 2013:37). He insists that education sector must change focus to the direction of addressing the challenges of unemployment, productivity in employment, technological development, real sector development and ultimately, competition for the international market towards economic development.