Challenges of doctoral education in Nigeria: a qualitative exploratory study
In Africa, doctoral studies may not have contributed meaningfully to the knowledge economy, even with the increasing number of doctorates produced annually. In this study, we explored the lived experiences of eight Nigerian doctoral graduates during the period of their doctoral pursuit within an int...
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| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Taylor & Francis Group
2025-12-01
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| Series: | Cogent Education |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/2331186X.2025.2477375 |
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| Summary: | In Africa, doctoral studies may not have contributed meaningfully to the knowledge economy, even with the increasing number of doctorates produced annually. In this study, we explored the lived experiences of eight Nigerian doctoral graduates during the period of their doctoral pursuit within an interpretivist paradigm. Through individual in-depth interviews, we explored the core and systemic challenges experienced in obtaining a doctoral degree in Nigeria. Interviews were conducted telephonically, audio-recorded and transcribed prior to thematic analysis using inductive-deductive reasoning. Peer debriefing and investigator triangulation assisted in maintaining trustworthiness in the study. Three themes were identified from the analysis of the interviews and included (1) compendium of systemic challenges, (2) periods of doctoral liminality and (3) knowledge transformation/conceptual threshold crossing. The strategies used in overcoming these challenges included working in a community of scholars with regular collegiate peer reviews and improvement of the student-supervisor relationship. |
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| ISSN: | 2331-186X |