International Journal of Educational Research and Policy Making (IJERPM), Vol. 5, Issue 1, 2022 920 International Journal of Educational Research and Policy Making Doi:10.13140/ijerpm.05.01.920 ISSN (P): 2695-2351 - Vol. 5, Issue 1, 920 – 932, September 2022 Copyright © IJERPM 2022 COST-BENEFIT ANALYSIS OF PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP IN THE MANAGEMENT OF UNIVERSITIES IN ABIA STATE Nwabueze, Akachukwu Ignatius & Bolaji, Sunday K. Department of Educational Foundations, University of Nigeria, Nsukka Accepted: September 02, 2022 Abstract: This study investigated cost-benefit analysis of public-private partnership in the management of universities in Abia State. Five research questions guided the study. The research design was descriptive survey design. The population comprised the 186 administrative heads (Deans of Faculties, Heads of Departments, and Directors of Institutes) of federal and state universities in Abia State. A sample size of 70 administrative heads was drawn using simple random sampling technique. Instrument used was questionnaire named: ‘Cost-Benefits of public-private partnership in the Management of Universities Questionnaire (CBPPPMUQ)’, which was validated and reliability tested using test-retest method, and this yielded an index of 0.94. Mean scores were employed to address the research questions and results were represented on pie chart. However, the various ways public-private partnership contribute to educational development include: proper management of undergraduate scholarship scheme, postgraduate scholarship scheme, grants to staff for research development, contributing in the production of quality graduates through research development, and giving employment to graduates after school. Also, public-private partnerships in universities have enhanced academic improvement through: improved academic programmes, good infrastructural facilities, adequate curriculum content, teaching/learning materials, and proper management of instructional facilities. Based on the findings, the researchers made recommendations. Keywords: Cost-benefit analysis, public-private partnership, management, universities Introduction The education of individuals helps to bring out their innate abilities and potentials for societal service delivery. It involves strengthening the skills, competencies, abilities and knowledge of individuals to enable them adapt, survive, and thrive in the ever increasing competitive and dynamic world. In the universities, teaching and learning provide students, both undergraduates and postgraduates with the prerequisite skills and abilities, knowledge and attitude needed for grappling with the demands of job upon graduation (Oragwu & Nwabueze, 2018). In this case, the production of high quality graduates involves absolute promotion of transferable skills, competencies, and attitude needed for meeting the national demands of graduates such as occupational, professional, administrative and technical competencies (Obi-Uzu, 2017). Consequently, sharing of knowledge, skills and ideas among people and using them effectively underlies national economic growth. This corroborates with the assertion that, ‘no nation can grow beyond the status of her intellectual development’. Hence, one of the primary avenues for development of human capacity is the school system, especially the ‘University System’ whose statutory responsibility is that of educating, training and building manpower necessary to provide professional, technical, social and economic services for national growth and development. Consequently, the Federal Republic of Nigeria (2014) in Nigerian National Policy on Education asserts that,