Application of Project Management Principles in Technical Education Programme Administration in Lagos State

This study investigates the application of project management principles in the administration of technical education programmes in Lagos State, South West Nigeria. Technical education administration involves complex, multi-stakeholder processes that parallel project management activities including planning, execution, monitoring, and evaluation. Despite the relevance of project management frameworks to institutional governance, their systematic application in Nigerian technical education administration remains understudied. A descriptive survey design is used, drawing 90 programme administrators, departmental heads, and academic planners from polytechnics and technical colleges in Lagos, Badagry, and Ikorodu local government areas. A validated questionnaire assesses awareness and application of project management principles including scope definition, resource allocation, timeline management, and stakeholder engagement. Descriptive statistics and regression analysis are employed. Findings are expected to reveal moderate awareness but inconsistent application of project management principles, constrained by bureaucratic rigidities and inadequate administrator training. The study also examines how institutional size and funding type influence management practice adoption. Recommendations include project management training for institutional administrators, standardised programme planning templates, and integration of project management competencies into PGD curricula for technical education administrators. This study contributes to technical education administration literature in Lagos State and provides a practical framework for applying professional management disciplines to vocational programme delivery. Keywords: project management, programme administration, technical education, Lagos State, institutional governance