TQM IN THE MANAGEMENT OF UNIVERSITIES In education sector / tertiary institution, the cost of producing a graduate can be attributed to lecturers

inputs, teaching aid/structures, and other non- academic services. The concentration on improving these elements of production will definitely yield quality graduates. The quality of output depends upon the quality of inputs and process in that order and therefore organizational efficiency and effectiveness depends to a large extent on the quality of materials used by the organization In other words, improvement in organizational performance through enhanced product quality can and will be more easily achieved by solving the problems acknowledge in the area of materials management. Steps taken to solve the above problems have given rise to an embrace of Total Quality Management, a philosophy which can help not only to reduce and ultimately eradicate these problems but indeed to turn material management as a whole into a quality operation by revolutionizing thinking and practice in the area. The pillars of Total Quality Management constitute a major force for organization change. One of them of who is Edward. F Deming which can be regarded as the father of the quality revolution. His philosophy on quality model centered on improving quality that result into higher productivity which

brings down cost and prices and increase markets which enable firms to stay in business, creating more jobs and better return on investment. In a bid to achieve his philosophy of quality improvement Deming developed his 14 point theory for management of quality, productivity and competition position. Another major pillar of TQM is Joseph. M Juran like Deming concluded that organizations face a major crisis due to the loss of sales to foreign competition and the huge cost of poor quality and that solving this crisis require new thinking that includes all the levels of the managerial hierarchy. Juran states that the first step this new orientation is the belief that change is desirable and feasible in all aspects of operation within an organization in the long term and prescribed that focus on quality should be on three major areas. (Juran Trilogy). Philip B Crosby is another TQM pillar. Crosby opines that opine of the crucial principles in discussing quality is that we are dealing with people situation. He states that integrating quality management in an organization is based on the concept of five stages in quality maturity: Uncertainty, Awakening, Enlightenment, Wisdom and Certainty. Philip Crosby also opines that the only performance standard is zero defects with the theme of doing it right the first time thus eliminating wastes.

The essence of TQM demands a new view of the world, new behaviors and new thinking about the work of an organization. TQM is hence the application of quality principles for integrating all functions. The ultimate goal is customer satisfaction; the way to achieve it is through continuous improvement. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM. The falling standard of education in Nigeria over the years has brought about a near constant struggle in trying to improve the overall quality and standard. The problem which arise from poor preparation and placement of students, malpractice, brain drain, inadequate funding, tool for teaching and reporting, job satisfaction etc are all responsible for falling standard in tertiary institution. Over the years experience have shown that no organization can achieve and sustain a good image without strategic vision, effective management or good leadership. Invariably with Total Quality Management, management is able to establish and maintain good image and social acceptance through quality products and services to customers. It is thus on this premise that the research intend to see how TQM can be integrated into tertiary institution in Nigeria to address the decay and falling standard currently be devilling the system. RESEARCH QUESTIONS.

1- Is falling standard as a result of lack of Quality consciousness among the management and employee in the system? 2- Can the falling standard of education in Nigeria be improved through Total Quality Management? 3- If yes, how well is the university management adhering and conforming to the philosophy? 4- Are there other managerial philosophies that can intervene in the current quagmire? 5- What is the management attitude towards Quality improvement within the system? 6- Are there Quality Assurance measures the university pays attention to? 7- What are some of the ways the institution adopt to internalize Quality Culture in the system?

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY. Every successful organization should be a matter of policy to be constantly seeking ways and opportunities to improve the quality of its products/services and process. It is object of this study to:

1- Analyses the falling standard as a result of lack of quality consciousness among the management and employee. 2- Establish factors that promote integration of TQM into the institution asides other managerial philosophy 3- Ascertain to what extent the university management is adhering and conforming to the philosophy. 4- Investigate into whether the university pay attention to any Quality Assurance measures. HPOTHESIS Ho: falling standard is not as a result of lack of Quality consciousness within tertiary institution in Nigeria. Hi: falling standard is as a result of lack of Quality consciousness within tertiary institution in Nigeria. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY. The researcher study is useful to tertiary institutions in Nigeria as a means of identifying and utilizing effectively the knowledge and experiences gained in the implementation and application of total Quality management technique, with the aim of improving the education standard and excellent graduates.

This research will therefore help top management determine the areas in the organization that needs to be improved upon and adequate measures be taken as a means of improving standards through the use of the Total Quality management(TQM) technique. Thus the study will have the following significance: 1- It will reveal the trend of the institutions services. 2- It will show to what extent TQM practices in tertiary institution will facilitate better services / products. 3- The study will justify the investment in TQM as regard service/ product standard. 4- It will ascertain management commitment to the TQM programme. SCOPE OF THE STUDY. This study is strictly geared towards the integration of Total Quality Management as a strategy for management in meeting customer requirements. This study is thus delimited to the management and staff of the University of Jos.

LIMITATION OF THE STUDY.

A major limitation of this study was the inability to get many Academic staff respondents to quickly fill the questionnaires. It was fairly difficult to get most of the Non Academic staff respondents involved in the study because of their various dispositions to area of study; some completely refuse to fill the questionnaire. Besides not all the questionnaires were properly filled.