ASSESSMENT OF STAKEHOLDERS MANAGEMENT IN TERTIARY EDUCATION TRUSTFUND (TETFUND) CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS

ABSTRACT Stakeholder management refers to the process of identifying, analyzing, and engaging with individuals or groups who have a vested interest in a project, organization, or decision. Many TETFund projects have been abandoned or delayed due to poor stakeholder management practices, such as inadequate communication, unclear roles and responsibilities, and a lack of transparency in decision-making. This has resulted in a significant loss of funding and resources, cost overrun, time overrun, project abandonment as well as reputational damage for both the government and TETFund. The aim of the research is to appraise stakeholder management practice in tertiary education trust fund (TETFUND) construction projects and the objectives is to identify the reasons for the involvement of stakeholders in TETFUND construction projects, to identify the challenges faced in stakeholder’s management practices for TETFUND construction projects and to suggest strategies to mitigate the challenges faced in stakeholder’s management for TETFUND construction projects. Quantitative approach was adopted for the study and Simple random sampling was used to select engineers, builder, architects and Quantity surveyors in Kwara State, North- central Nigeria. Eighty- three (83) structured questionnaires Nwere self-administered to the respondents in kwara state in which seventy five (75) questionnaires were properly filled and returned for analysis with a response rate of 88.24%, the results were analysed using descriptive statistics (percentage, pie chart, and bar chart), mean item score (MIS) and Severity Index (S.I. The research concludes that financial problems, civil unrest and lack of political stability, slow decision making and delay in inspection and approval are the challenges faced stakeholder management practices for TETFUND construction projects .The study found that ensure alignment of the project with the needs and expectations of the community, validate the quality and suitability of the project deliverables, provide resources to the project team and make timely decisions with respect to project implementers’ assessment of cost and feasibility are identifies are the main reasons for the involvement of stakeholders in TETFUND construction projects. In conclusion, the study recommends that Proper adoption of stakeholder analysis, effective communication, and engagement steps should be embraced by consulting project management firms in managing TETFUND construction projects.