Public universities

This study examined the use of audio-visual materials in the teaching and learning of Business Education in public universities in Edo State. Six research questions were raised to guide the study. The study employed a descriptive survey research design. The sample size of the study was 100 Business Education students from public universities in Edo State. Given the small population size, the entire population was used as the sample size, hence, a census. The instrument for data collection was a structured questionnaire titled "Use of Audio-Visual in Teaching and Learning of Business Education Questionnaire(UAVTLBEQ)." The questionnaire comprised sections A and B. The research instrument was validated by the researcher’s supervisor and two other experts in the Department of Vocational and Technical Education, University of Benin, Benin City. The reliability coefficient of the instrument was obtained using Cronbach's Alpha, and the instrument was administered to 20 Business Education students from Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, who were not part of the study population. A reliability coefficient of 0.88 was obtained, indicating the instrument was reliable. The data collected were analyzed using mean(x̅) and standard deviation (SD) with the aid of the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences(SPSS).The findings showed that the use of audio-visual materials enhances students' understanding of business concepts to a high extent, improves engagement in Business Education classrooms, and positively influences academic performance. However, challenges such as inadequate access to audio-visual resources, lack of technical support, and poor maintenance hinder their effective utilization. The study concluded that the integration of audio-visual materials plays a crucial role in improving the teaching and learning of Business Education. Based on the findings, the study recommended, among others, that the government and university administrators should ensure the availability and effective utilization of modern audio-visual tools to facilitate an improved teaching and learning experience in Business Education programs.

Access to higher education is universally acknowledged as a critical driver of individual empowerment and national development. In Nigeria, however, the pathway to tertiary education is often obstructed by financial barriers that prevent many deserving students from pursuing their academic aspirations. This financial exclusion not only hampers human capital development but also reinforces the cycle of poverty and inequality (Odia & Omofonmwan, 2007). Over the years, the demand for university education in Nigeria has risen significantly due to population growth, increased awareness of the importance of education, and a youthful demographic. However, this surge in demand has not been matched by a corresponding increase in public funding. Government subventions to public universities have remained relatively stagnant, leading to overcrowded classrooms, decaying infrastructure, and underfunded student support systems. Consequently, many students find themselves unable to afford tuition and associated costs, resulting in either non-enrollment or premature dropout. 8 Recognizing these systemic challenges, the Federal Government of Nigeria introduced the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) in 2023, as a bold and transformative step toward democratizing access to higher education. Enacted under the Nigeria Student Loan Act and signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, NELFUND aims to provide interest-free loans to undergraduates in public tertiary institutions, thus removing financial hardship as a barrier to educational attainment (Edugist, 2023; Premium Times, 2023)