Administrative Transparency and Public Trust in Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki

Administrative transparency in public universities is essential for building institutional credibility, fostering stakeholder trust, and creating an environment conducive to academic excellence and organisational integrity. This study examines the relationship between administrative transparency practices and levels of public trust among students, staff, and the host community of Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki. The study is anchored on the Transparency and Accountability Framework, which posits that when institutions make information about their decisions, resource utilisation, and governance processes accessible to stakeholders, trust is generated and sustained through demonstrated integrity. A descriptive survey research design was adopted. The study population comprised undergraduate students, academic and non-academic staff, and Abakaliki community representatives, from which 270 respondents were selected using stratified random sampling. Structured questionnaires and documentary analysis of administrative records served as data instruments, and responses were analysed using Pearson correlation and descriptive statistics. Findings indicate that transparency in student fee utilisation, staff recruitment processes, and budget allocation significantly predicts levels of trust among respondents. Opacity in management decisions and perceived nepotism in appointments were major trust-eroding factors. The study concludes that EBSU's administrative culture requires a deliberate shift toward greater openness and stakeholder communication. It is recommended that the university establish an open data portal for financial reports, publish minutes of senate and council meetings, and create an independent student-staff grievance panel.

Keywords: Administrative Transparency, Public Trust, University Governance, Accountability, EBSU