Comparative Analysis of Federal and Private Universities’ Learning Environment On Academic Performance of Undergraduate Students in Islamic Studiesin Ilorin, Nigeria

Abstract

Learning environment plays major role in the life of every individual whether undergraduate students, lecturers, employers or employees. The undergraduate students’ academic performance plays an important role in producing the best quality graduates who will become great leader and manpower for the country thus responsible for the country’s economic and social development. It is on the basis of this background, this study examined the comparative analysis of federal and private universities’ learning environment on academic performance of undergraduate students in Islamic Studies in Ilorin, Nigeria. Causal-comparative research type known as “ex post facto” research method was used for this study. All undergraduate students of federal and private universities in Ilorin, Nigeria constituted the population. Meanwhile, purposive sampling techniques was used to select University of Ilorin and Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, Nigeria. Simple random sampling techniques was used to select 160 undergraduate Islamic Studies students from University of Ilorin and Al-Hikmah University respectively. The data for the study was gathered through the use of questionnaire which consisted of 25 items to elicit information from the respondents. The instrument was validated through face and content validity and reliability index yielded 0.78. Three hypotheses were postulated and tested using Independent t-test statistical tool at 0.05 level of significance. The findings of the study revealed that a significant difference existed between federal university male and female undergraduate students, private university male and female undergraduate students and federal and private university undergraduate students’ learning environment on undergraduate students’ academic performance in Islamic Studies in Ilorin, Nigeria. Based on the finding, it was recommended among others that government and private organizations /bodies should intensify efforts to employ more trained and qualified Islamic Studies lecturers at various universities to improve the performance of undergraduate students at all level of education. It was also recommended that government and private organizations /bodies should exposed their undergraduate students to conducive learning environment in order to facilitate better academic performance in students.