| Abstract: | In the more developed countries, the twin concepts of academic freedom and university autonomy have been the bedrock of university administration and development. These concepts have become the characteristic features of modern universities because of the special functions they are called upon to perform over time. Critical to the specialist function of universities are the three P's, namely: (i) the profession of truth and knowledge through teaching; (ii) the promotion of truth and knowledge through research and (iii) the protection of truth and knowledge. Of immediate relevance to these functions is university autonomy which is an essential element for freedom in the search for truth and knowledge. Thus, the normative framework of academic freedom and university autonomy presupposes that academics are effective once these privileges are guaranteed. Supposedly, the opposite is the case should these factors of university administration be absent; hence, we can equally speak of dependence. Against this conflicting background, this article examines the situation in Nigeria in the context of autonomy, freedom, and dependence in the administration of higher education in selected countries. |
