Enhancing Students’ Administration through Effective Utilisation of Electronic Registration: Evidence from Ahmadu Bello University Zaria and Federal University Dutsin-Ma

Abstract

Improving student administration through effective e-registration has captured the attention of scholars in Public Administration, particularly amplified by the exigencies of the COVID-19 pandemic. This research aims to assess the efficacy of online registration in enhancing student administration at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and Federal University Dutsin-Ma. Employing a mixed-methods research design, primary and secondary data sources were employed for data collection. Structured questionnaires, one-on-one interviews, and the university library served as data instruments. The study encompassed undergraduate and postgraduate students, ICT staff members, and Student Affairs Division personnel, constituting a population of 80,896. A sample size of 396 responses was analyzed. Descriptive statistics were used for frequency tabulation, while simple linear regression analyses, facilitated by Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS version 24), were applied for hypothesis testing. Thematic analysis was utilized for interview responses. The results underscored that e-registration significantly enhances student administration in the study area (P < 0.05), implying that increasing electronic registration in higher education can evidently enhance student administration. Challenges hindering optimal e registration utilization include, limited student ICT skills, unreliable power supply, protracted decision-making, insufficient student orientation on the use of the portal, inadequate readiness before deploying intricate ICT systems, and sluggish bureaucratic processes for outdated gadget replacement. Recommendations encompass clear and timely communication about e-registration and fostering a supportive environment for digitally disadvantaged students. In conclusion, effective e-registration utilization in Nigerian universities can substantially enhance the student administration.