Academic Staff Welfare and Job Performance in Federal Universities in South-South Geopolitical Zone of Nigeria

The study investigated the relationship between academic staff welfare and their job performance in federal universities in South-South, geopolitical zone of Nigeria. The welfare of academic staff is a critical factor in determining their job satisfaction, motivation and overall performance. However, from the literature reviewed so far it was observed that the relationship between academic staff welfare and their job performance has not satisfactorily given adequate attention in the context of incentive package, office accommodation, and electricity supply in federal universities in South-South. This study aimed to bridge this gap by examining the relationship between these variables. A cross-sectional correlational research design was adopted, while the population of the study consists of 7,506 academic staff in the six federal universities in South-South. The sample size was 245 respondents. Two research instruments were used to elicit data for the study. Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) statistical method was used in analyzing the data at 0.05 level of significance. The findings of the study revealed that there is significant relationship between academic staff welfare and their job performance in federal universities in South-South, though with some of the variables showing a weak relationship. It was recommended among others that, the Federal Government, in collaboration with university governing councils, should develop and periodically review competitive incentive structures. These should incorporate both financial (e.g., allowances, bonuses) and non-financial (e.g., recognition, research grants) rewards to sustain motivation and performance in federal universities in South-South.