ABSTRACT
The study focused on Whistleblowing Among Undergraduate Students. A survey research design was adopted and the population of study was drawn from three selected tertiary institutions in Edo State, Nigeria; University of Benin, Benson Idahosa University, and Auchi Polytechnic.. A sample of size of 397 students was arrived at using the Taro Yamane (1996) sample determination. The students were chosen randomly across various faculties in their respective institution. A sample of 9 management and staff personnel (3 from each of the institution) chosen randomly were also part of the population of the study. The study aimed at examining the perception of undergraduate students towards whistleblowing; the relevance of the theory of planned behaviour on students' Whistleblowing intension; the effect of some selected demographic variables (Gender, Age, Institution, faculty, Level, and Religion) on students’ whistleblowing intention; those factors that discourages whistleblowing among undergraduate students; and examining if universities have structures that supports whistleblowing. The study adopted the use of structured Questionnaires, tailored towards the objectives of the research, in obtaining data and responses from the respondents. Research questions were raised and hypothesis generated to guide the conduct of the research. Data obtained from the respondents were retrieved and analysed using Descriptive statistics, Regression analysis, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), and Independent t-test through the Statistical package for Social Sciences (SPSS).
Findings from the study indicated that Undergraduate students have a positive perception towards whistleblowing, but however have little knowledge of the concept and the procedures involved. Attitude and subjective norms were seen to be strong predictors of Whistleblowing intension among undergraduate students, while Perceived behavioural control (PCB) did not have significant impact on undergraduate students'whistleblowing intention. While findings revealed that the male undergraduate students are more predisposed to Whistleblowing than the female, Gender demography was found to have no effect on whistleblowing behavior of undergraduate students; similarly, whistleblowing intention was found to be higher amongst older students than the younger, but age was seen to have insignificant effect on undergraduate students whistleblowing intention. Furthermore, whistleblowing intention was found to be higher among lower level students (100 level ) than the higher; but it was however found to have insignificant effect on undergraduate students whistleblowing intention. Institution, faculty and religion had no effect on undergraduate students’ whistleblowing intension. Conclusively, result indicated that the selected demographic variables had no effect on undergraduate students whistleblowing intention. Findings further revealed that a number of factors such as: fear of victimisation and violent retaliation in adequate protection for whistleblower, lack of rewards for whistleblower and other factors listed in the research question were found to discourage students from engaging in wistlebowing. Findings also revealed that Universities in Nigeria do not have structures that support whistleblowing.
Based on the findings, the study recommended amongst other things: Tertiary institutions should establish Whistleblowing policies to facilitate the detection and correction of unethical practices, institutions should create structures (departments, units, or section) in their respective schools to aid the process of Whistleblowing, effort should be jeered at creating awareness and acquainting the student's about the concept of whistleblowing and the procedures involved, tertiary institutions should create mechanisms, such as rewards for Whistleblowing to encourage students engagement in Whistleblowing. Lastly, it was recommended that tertiary institutions should ensure adequate punishment is meted for individuals found wanting, irrespective of the person or office involved.
