An Evaluation of Maintenance Activities and their Impact on University Functions: A Case Study of University of Jos.

The study appraised the scope of maintenance activities at the University of Jos and their impact on academic and non-academic functions of the university as perceived by students, academic and non-academic staff. The perception of the respondents was solicited via questionnaires and subsequent oral interview to authenticate the completed questionnaires. Ranking of the perception revealed that the maintenance activities that attracted the most popular approval were not those that necessarily enhanced learning, teaching and research. The correlation tests conducted also confirmed the absence of relationship between maintenance activities and certain crucial functions of the University. It was established that the maintenance activities were mostly geared towards arresting students unrest and safeguarding lives and contents of the buildings in the University. For instance, water supply with a relative index of 0.78 ranked highest in the satisfaction list of the students, closely followed by maintenance of electric fittings with a relative index of 0.73. Repair to sport arena was ranked lowest with a relative index of 0.43. Within the non-academic staff population sampled, repair of door attracted an index of 0.74 which ranked 1st, followed by internal redecoration with an index ranking of 0.63. The conclusion was that the unit responsible for maintenance would need to focus more on the core functions of the University as well as resting and relaxation among others. This could best be achieved when the unit seeks actively, the views of the stakeholders and accord priorities to their preferences.