December 2025 Edition

Managing Transitions in Federal Universities for Sustainable Service Delivery

DR SHAIBU, OGWUCHE GABRIEL, DR MBAEGBU, R.E.V. CHIMA CHIZOBA FLORENCE. KARACHI C. ISIAWUIKE

Abstract

The increasing demands for quality education and sustainable service delivery
in federal universities require effective transition management and active
stakeholder engagement. In South-East Nigeria, federal universities face
challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, weak governance, and limited
institutional capacity, which impede sustainable service delivery. This study
investigates the effect of transition management strategies, stakeholder
engagement, and institutional capacity on sustainable service delivery in
federal universities in South-East Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey research
design was adopted, and data were collected from 120 lecturers across Alvan
Ikoku Federal University of Education(AIFUE), Owerri, Federal University of
Technology, (FUTO), Owerri, and Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka
using a structured questionnaire titled Transition Management and
Sustainable Service Delivery Questionnaire (TMSSDQ) validated with a
reliability coefficient of 0.87. Data were analyzed using the Spearman Rank
Order Correlation Coefficient at a 0.05 significance level. Findings reveal that
implementing structured transition management strategies significantly
enhances academic, administrative, and social service continuity. Likewise,
active stakeholder engagement and strengthened institutional capacity
significantly facilitate effective transitions, reduce resistance to change, and
improve sustainable service delivery. The study concludes that embedding
transition management practices, participatory governance, and institutional
capacity-building within federal universities equips institutions to meet
current demands while preparing for future challenges. It is recommended
that universities in South-East Nigeria adopt structured change management
strategies, foster collaborative stakeholder participation, and invest in
institutional capacity to ensure continuous and sustainable service delivery.

Keywords

Institutional Capacity, Stakeholder Engagement, Sustainable Service Delivery, Transition Management

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