SUPERVISORY MECHANISMS AND ETHICAL ACCOUNTABILITY IN THE UTILIZATION OF INTERNALLY GENERATED REVENUE (IGR) OF UNIVERSITIES IN BAYELSA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study investigated supervisory mechanisms and ethical accountability in the utilization of Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of universities in Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Two (2) research questions and 2 hypotheses were used. The descriptive survey research design was used. The population of the study consisted of 127 administrative and academic staff of universities in Bayelsa State. A sample size of 127 administrative and academic staff representing 100% of the population served as respondents. The census sampling technique was employed. A 12-item questionnaire was used for data collection. Mean and standard deviation were used for the research questions and z-test statistics was used to test the hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The result among others revealed that, universities do not often practice whistle-blowing/protected reporting channels, independent audit committees within Governing Councils and they do not regularly publish financial reports on IGR use on their websites annually. Some of the notable challenges are cultural norms/tacit acceptance of unethical practices, low ICT adoption/fragmented financial management systems which influences revenue generation and allocation. It was recommended that, the state government need to desist from all sorts of political manipulations and universities should regularly publish financial reports on IGR use on their websites annually.