Effect of Fuel Subsidy Removal on the Job Performance of Lecturers in Tertiary Institutions in Rivers State

Abstract

The already hardship experienced due to poor salary and hyperinflation caused by fuel subsidy removal motivated this study, “Effect of fuel subsidy removal on the job performance of lecturers in tertiary institutions in Rivers state.” Two specific objectives, research questions and three null hypotheses guided the study. A descriptive survey research design was adopted. From the population of 78 lecturers, census survey sampling was adopted. A four-point response options questionnaire was used for data collection, and it was validated by three experts. The reliability of the instrument was established using Cronbach’s alpha which yielded alpha coefficients of 0.81 and 0.82. Mean was used to answer the two research questions, while one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and t-test were used to test the null hypotheses at a 0.05 level of significance. Findings revealed that the extent of the negative effect of fuel subsidy removal on research and publications, class attendance, invigilation and supervisory functions of lecturers was at a high level. It was concluded that the government did not do enough to mitigate the sufferings of lecturers before, during and after fuel subsidy removal via reviewing of salary upwards with the economic practicality. Among other things, it was recommended that the federal and state governments should review lecturers’ salaries upward in accordance with the inflation and hyperinflation rates in Nigeria to enable lecturers to meet their family, research, publications and other duties. Parts of the funds from the fuel subsidy removal should be used for that purpose.