Financial Resource Management Practices by Provosts of Colleges of Agriculture in South- South and South-East Geopolitical Zones of Nigeria

This study sought to examine the financial resource management practices of Provosts in Colleges of Agriculture in South-South and South-East Zone of Nigeria. The study was guided by three research questions and adopted a survey design. A structured questionnaire was subjected to validation by three validates, with a reliability index of 0.72 and used to collect data from all the 67 heads of departments and 30 senior bursary staff (five each, were purposively sampled) from the six colleges of agriculture under study. Mean scores were used to answer the research questions. Findings of the study revealed that Provosts generate funds through external and internal sources, frequently make financial reports, and consultation with sub-administrators for financial decision making, among others. The study also revealed that problems associated with management of financial resources in colleges of agriculture are long procurement procedures, late disbursement of funds, poor income from research, consultation, and teaching activities. The paper offered some recommendations and concluded that the application of good financial management practices by Provosts of colleges of agriculture would ensure the proper management of scarce finances in colleges of agriculture in South-South and South-Eastern Nigeria.