Study of Property Asset Management Practices in Nigerian Universities: Evidence from South East Zone

Universities are among the largest property asset holders in Nigeria's public sector, yet the management of these assets frequently falls short of professional standards, resulting in rapid deterioration and escalating maintenance expenditure. This study examines property asset management practices in federal and state universities in the South East geopolitical zone. A survey design was adopted, with 80 quantity surveyors, facility managers, and bursary officers from six universities in Anambra, Enugu, and Imo States forming the respondent group. Structured questionnaires and physical condition assessments of selected campus buildings provided the data. Analysis used descriptive statistics, mean item scores, and content analysis. Findings reveal that none of the sampled universities maintains a comprehensive property asset register, and maintenance planning is reactive in all cases. Budget allocations for maintenance average less than 0.3% of estimated replacement cost per annum, well below the recommended 1.5% to 2%. Physical assessments show that 54% of sampled buildings require urgent structural or envelope remediation. The study finds that few universities employ graduate quantity surveyors in their physical planning units. Recommendations include professionalisation of university estate management through mandatory appointment of registered quantity surveyors, introduction of a deferred maintenance liability index, and engagement with the National Universities Commission to establish minimum maintenance funding standards. Keywords: property asset management, universities, South East Nigeria, facility management, maintenance