INVESTIGATING THE BUILDING SECURITY SYSTEMS IN TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS IN NIGERIALA CASE STUDY OF AKWA STATE POLYTECHNIC

ABSTRACT The increasing prevalence of security challenges in Nigerian tertiary institutions poses a significant threat to the safety and well-being of students, staff, and the broader academic environment haves such as armed robbery, banditry, cultism, and kidnapping among many ethers have escalated undermining the integrity of educational systems and creating an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty. Therefore, this study seeks to investigate the level of awareness and adoption of building security technologies and barriers inhibiting the adoption of building security technologies in Nigerian tertiary institutions. The study is anchored on a cross-sectional survey design using a questionnaire survey in which 220 copies of structured questionnaires were purposively distributed to Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic staff and students. A total of 150 valid responses were received giving an overall response rate of 68%. The responses were analyzed using the Mean Item Score. The finding of the study revealed that both staff and students are highly aware of the building security systems. The study further revealed a low level of adoption of building security systems. The study further revealed lack of expertise for system operation and maintenance, cost associated with purchase, installation and operation, risk of interconnection of divers' technologies with different tolerance and responsibility issues as critical barriers to the adoption of building security systems. The study advances that there is a gap between the knowledge and adoption of building security systems, this gap needs to be addressed to ensure the safety and security of staff and students. The study recommends the implementation of advanced technological solutions, such as surveillance cameras and biometric systems, which can significantly enhance monitoring capabilities on campuses.