DRIVERS AND INHIBITORS OF EMPLOYEES’ ENGAGEMENT: EVIDENCE FROM A PUBLIC UNIVERSITY IN NORTH CENTRAL NIGERIA

Abstract

This study drivers and inhibitors of lecturers’ engagement. Deepening disengagement has been
reported in literatures amongst the 21st century employees, leading to the call for studies on
possible drivers of employees’ engagement. The study used a qualitative research design and
collected data using semi-structured and in-depth-face-face interview. A total of 10 lecturers
drawn from different departments participated in the study and data collected were analysed based
on common themes and differences. Findings reveal that passion, communication, remuneration
are drivers of the lecturers’ engagement, while poor facilities, poor funding, bad leadership are
inhibitors. The lecturers demonstrated a high intention to quit, hence the study concludes that the
engagement levels of the lecturers are low and brain drain exists among them. The management
of the university must tackle inhibitors by creating an atmosphere of justice that is institutionalized
by management and seated in the culture and climate of the organisation. Again the study
recommends lecturers collaboration as a way of managing part of the problems and creating a
win-win situation for both the lecturers and stakeholders in the industry.