FACTORS INFLUENCING LECTURERS’ MOTIVATION TOWARD MAXIMUM JOB PERFORMANCE IN NIGERIAN HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS

Abstract

Managers motivate and induce subordinates to act in desirable ways by doing things which could satisfy their needs. This article examined the factors influencing lecturers’ motivation for maximum job performance in higher education institutions in Nigeria. A research instrument titled “Lecturers’ Motivation Questionnaire” (LMQ) was adapted from Kwarteng, Obeng-Mensah, and Bosompem (2012) to collect relevant data. Two hundred and forty one (241) lecturers were randomly selected from the sampled higher education institutions. They responded to the instrument which contained eight factors that could influence motivation. The instrument was validated using test-retest reliability method and a reliability coefficient of .7 was obtained. Descriptive and inferential statistics were applied in data analyses. The study showed that job satisfaction, recognition, work condition, supervision and staff involvement in decision-making were the most outstanding factors which could motivate lecturers. Furthermore, lecturers’ age and experience were found to influence their motivation. Based on the findings, improvements in motivating factors such as recognition, work condition, supervision and staff involvement in decision-making were recommended.