The Task of Attraction and Retention of Academic Staff in Nigeria Universities

Abstract

The salient role of Nigeria universities in the provision and development of human capital required for the social, economic and technological advancement of any nation cannot be over-accentuated. By their inimitable nature, universities are expected to be a repository of the most specialized and skilled intellectuals. They are meant to serve as lumber rooms of knowledge for nurturing the manpower needs of the nation and hence for satisfying the aspirations of the people for a good and humane society. However, the universities in Nigeria are being threatened by their inability to attract and retain specialised, skilled and knowledgeable academic staff due to several crucial but avoidable reasons. This paper probed to identify the factors affecting the attraction and retention of academic staff in Nigeria universities. The problem of brain-drain, gender gap, unattractive salary package and lack of adequate training and development were identified as the problems influencing the attraction and retention of quality academic staff. Provision of good learning and working climate, job flexibility, recognition, rewards and compensation, effective employee training and development were offered as viable strategies to help enhance the attraction and retention of quality academic staff in Nigeria universities.