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Investigating Impact of Tertiary Institutions on the Host Communities: A case study of the Federal Polytechnic, Nasarawa
Abstract
Tertiary Institutions do not exist in isolation but they are often sited within rural or urban communities. To some people, town-gown relationships are regarded as sources of annoyance, crime and difficulties while other perceived them as drivers of intellectual, artistic, cultural and economic benefits to both the Institutions and their host communities. The study examines the impact of the Federal Polytechnic, Nasarawa on its host community. Respondents were selected using a random sampling strategy among the students of the Department of Crime Management of the Institution. The study applied descriptive analysis, factor analysis and Pearson’s correlation coefficient to analyze the data collected through the questionnaires. Results of the study show that the presence of the Institution has significant impact on the development of physical infrastructures and facilities, economic activities and social relations within the host community. However, the respondents noted that physical infrastructural development of the host community is generally low while the social relations and economic activities in the Nasarawa are perceived to be high. The study culminates by recommending to the Government, philanthropists and corporate organizations to address the issues of poor road networks, incessant electricity supply, fluctuating telecommunication networks, inadequate potable water supply, poor waste disposal facilities and uncomfortable transport services to promote eco-friendliness, high quality education and training, attract international students and boost local economy in the host community.
