Volume 1 - Issue 4, November - December 2025

This study evaluated external efficiency instruments and their relationship with quality assurance in Delta State public universities. Adopting a correlational survey design, the study sampled 274 heads of department and teaching staff from a population of 1,878 using proportional stratified random sampling. Data were collected through a validated questionnaire (External Efficiency and Quality Assurance Questionnaire) with a reliability coefficient of 0.76 and analyzed using mean, standard deviation, coefficient of determination, and Pearson Product Moment Correlation at 0.05 significance level. Findings revealed that Delta State public universities employ nine primary external efficiency instruments, including internship and workintegrated learning programs (Mean = 2.91), graduate employment rate monitoring (Mean = 2.83), curriculum-labour market alignment reviews (Mean = 2.79), and alumni feedback mechanisms (Mean = 2.74), though alumni career progression tracking (Mean = 2.47) was inadequately employed. Quality assurance strategies implemented include regular program accreditation (Mean = 3.25), maintenance of minimum academic standards (Mean = 3.18), institutional quality assurance units (Mean = 3.12), and systematic curriculum review (Mean = 3.08). The study established a significant positive relationship between external efficiency instruments and quality assurance strategies (r = .610, p = .000), with external efficiency instruments accounting for 37.2% variance in quality assurance strategies. The study concluded that effective engagement with external efficiency mechanisms positively influences quality assurance practices in Delta State public universities. It was recommended that universities institutionalize graduate tracer studies and employer feedback systems, deepen industry partnerships through advisory boards and expanded internship programs, and enhance quality assurance data management systems to support evidence-based planning and continuous improvement.