INFLUENCE OF PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT ON THE ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS AT SA’ADU ZUNGUR UNIVERSITY, BAUCHI

ABSTRACT This study explores the influence of parental involvement on the academic performance of undergraduate students at Sa’adu Zungur University, Bauchi. While existing research across Nigeria and West African contexts indicates that active parental engagementspanning behavioral, cognitive, and affective domainspositively correlates with educational outcomes, this investigation zeroes in on a university-level population within northeast Nigeria, an area currently underrepresented in the literature.Employing a quantitative correlational design, the study will sample approximately 300–400 undergraduates across diverse faculties using stratified random sampling to reflect demographic heterogeneity. Data collection will be conducted via two validated instruments: a Parental Involvement Questionnaire (PIQ)adapted from prior Nigerian studies and encompassing dimensions such as parents’ academic support, communication, campus visits, and emotional encouragementand an academic performance measure indicated by students’ cumulative GPAs. Analytical techniques will include Pearson’s correlation to assess bivariate relationships and multiple regression analysis to evaluate the unique contribution of parental involvement to academic outcomes, controlling for socio-demographic variables like gender, faculty, year of study, and socio-economic status. It is hypothesized that enhanced parental involvement will significantly predict stronger academic achievement among undergraduates at Sa’adu Zungur University.The study’s outcomes aim to inform university stakeholdersadministrators, educators, and parentson designing supportive frameworks that deepen parental engagement and, in turn, fortify student performance at the tertiary level within the Bauchi context.Keywords: Parental involvement, academic xii performance, undergraduate students, tertiary education, Sa’adu Zungur University, Bauchi, Nigeria