The study investigated the level of students' participation in quality assurance management and tertiary institutions effectiveness in Nigeria. Four null hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. The design adopted was correlational research design. The population was made up of 423 2018/2019 session students' union officials. A sample of 160 was randomly selected from three (University of Calabar, Cross River University of Technology and Federal College of Education, Obudu) public tertiary institutions in the area. The instrument used for data collection was questionnaire (Students' Participation in Quality Assurance Management Questionnaire (SPQAMQ) validated by experts in test and measurement. It contained 28 items constructed in a 4-point Likert scale. Pearson Product Moment Correlation Statistics was used for data analysis. The result of the analysis revealed a significant positive relationship between students' participation in decision-making, discipline management, quality assurance committees and school plant maintenance and tertiary institution management when tested at 0.05 level of significance. Based on the findings it was recommended that students should be adequately motivated through quality participation in school governance to enhance their academic achievement and development of basic leadership skills.