Outsourcing as a strategy for facilities management provision in Nigerian universities

Outsourcing in universities is a form of privatization in which external providers are contracted to provide a traditional campus function or service but has however remained relatively unexplored. The purpose of this study is to explore its use as a strategy for facilities management (FM) roles in Nigerian universities. Using a cross-sectional questionnaire survey, total of 43 responses representing 43 out of 134 sample units used for the survey were received to give an overall response rate of 32%. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics and Spearman's rank correlation. Findings among others, reveal that five FM roles to which outsourcing has been most effective are campus security, cleaning services, plant operation and maintenance, waste management and laundry in that order while most of the procurement options have significant correlation with outsourcing success. The paper concludes that a number of FM services and functions have been outsourced or are currently being outsourced. Moreover, the services outsourced are mainly janitorial services which support the teaching, research and learning in the universities. By implication, knowledge of the level of effectiveness of outsourcing as a strategic option for FM will enable the universities adopt best options that will ultimately increase the efficiency and effectiveness of corporate governance within institutions. The paper recommends that universities should consider launching advocacy on the potential benefits of outsourcing to bolster the full acceptance of outsourcing particularly for hard FM which is presently not the case according to findings of this study.