Judicial Review and Institutional Accountability in Nigerian Higher Education (1980–2024): Governance Transformation Through Student and Staff Litigation

Over the past four decades, Nigerian higher education has experienced a steady expansion of judicial oversight in institutional governance, particularly in matters relating to student discipline and staff employment. This article examines how court decisions from 1980 to 2024 have reshaped administrative practices within universities, polytechnics, monotechnics and colleges of education. Drawing on leading and recent cases, alongside educational governance literature, the study demonstrates that principles such as fair hearing, procedural transparency, and statutory compliance have become central to institutional legitimacy. The analysis shows that while courts frequently intervene to protect students and staff from arbitrary decisions, they also uphold institutional authority where due process is observed. Recent developments indicate an increasing judicial interest in emerging governance issues such as disciplinary processes, academic record management, and contractual employment practices. The article argues that judicial review has evolved into a critical external accountability mechanism that is gradually transforming internal governance culture. It concludes that higher education institutions must move from reactive legal compliance to proactive institutionalization of due process to achieve sustainable effectiveness.