TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS AND ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION OF THE HOST COMMUNITIES IN NIGER STATE

Abstract

Institution of any type, formal or informal, interacts with one another to influence cultural, political and socio-economic stability, the well-being of the people among others core mandates where they operate. It is in line with the above assertion that tertiary institutions are established to provide community development of their host communities as one of their three core mandates. This study adopts institutional theory to examine the impact of six (6) tertiary institutions (IBB University Lapai, Federal University of Technology, Minna, College of Education, Minna, Niger state Polytechnic, Zungeru, Federal College of Education, Kontagora and Federal Polytechnic, Bida) on their host communities in Niger state. The study further adopts qualitative method using interviews and content analysis. The research reveals that the institutions have significantly improved the economic well-being of their host communities through knowledge-driven, business transactions, and lease of property among others. Despite these economic gains, the establishment of institutions has subjected households in the host communities to untold economic hardship as a result of the expropriation of their ancestral farmland. The establishment also led to high cost of living, scarcity of shelter, food, transportation, among other things. In the light of the above, the paper recommends the collaboration of the Niger State government with financial institutions to facilitate empowerment of the community members whose farmlands were expropriated. It also recommends provision of adequate public transport and housing to tame exploitation of staff and students by the landlords and private transportation companies.