THE ROLE OF MOTIVATION IN PERFORMANCE: A CASE OF KWARA STATE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION, NIGERIA. (2009-2011)

Abstract

There is consensus of opinion among scholars that productivity is indeed very low in the public sector in Nigeria. This informed this study to examine what could motivate employees toward higher productivity. The study was a descriptive survey of seven Local Government areas in Kwara State, selected through stratified random sampling. Seven hundred questionnaires were distributed while Six hundred and twelve were returned. The analysis was by simple percentage. The study revealed that significant majority of the respondents were not satisfied with their wages, working environment, job security, and their duties, while strict supervision was largely rejected as a way of enhancing performance. The study recommended the enhancement of the wages, improvement of the working conditions, and assignment of new duties where visible. Lastly, it recommended the adoption of objective criteria to monitor performance and the inclusion of merit principle in promotion.