CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF DROPOUT AMONG UNDERGRADUATES IN NIGERIA: A CASE STUDY OF BAUCHI STATE UNIVERSITY

ABSTRACT: The present investigation was conducted with the primary objective of scrutinising the underlying factors and subsequent ramifications associated with the phenomenon of academic attrition within the Nigerian undergraduate population, with a specific focus on the region of Bauchi State. The survey design was implemented and the utilisation of simple random sampling techniques was employed in this study. The demographic composition encompasses individuals who are enrolled as students at Bauchi State University. In the process of ascertaining the appropriate sample size, the researcher judiciously opted for a total of 229 respondents, out of which 215 were successfully obtained and subsequently subjected to rigorous validation, resulting in a final count of 210 respondents. A self-constructed and duly validated questionnaire was employed for the purpose of data acquisition. The questionnaires that were gathered and verified were subjected to analysis through the utilisation of frequency tables and the calculation of mean scores. The findings elucidate that the factors contributing to student attrition in Bauchi State encompass multifarious elements, such as the socio-economic deprivation experienced by parents or guardians, the unfortunate demise or absence of a parental figure or sponsor, inadequate groundwork in secondary education, recurrent academic underachievement, a pervasive sense of insecurity within the educational milieu, exorbitant financial obligations, apprehension regarding the dearth of employment opportunities in the nation, and the deleterious impact of ill health on students. The aforementioned findings elucidate that the repercussions of student dropout encompass a multitude of adverse outcomes, such as elevated levels of unemployment, increased propensity for engaging in criminal activities and subsequent incarceration, hindered academic progress for those affected, insufficient human development, and a dearth of individuals possessing proficient skills in the workforce. Hence, it is highly advisable that the educational counsellors within educational institutions exhibit a heightened awareness of their duties, specifically by consistently enlightening the students regarding the paramount significance of acquiring knowledge, while also emphasising the adverse repercussions associated with prematurely terminating their educational pursuits.