Tertiary Over-Schooling and Lecturers’ Job Performance in Nigeria with Reference to Tertiary Institutions in Delta State

Abstract

This study was carried out to examine the impact of over-schooling on lecturers’ job performance in Delta State. To guide the study, two research questions were formulated. The population of the study consisted of 836 lecturers from three tertiary institutions in the three Senatorial District of Delta State (University of Delta, Agbor, Delta State University, Abraka and Delta State University of Science and Technology, Ozoro). The simple random sampling technique was used. The sample of the study was 245 lecturers (145 PhD and 100 M.Ed Lecturers). The instrument used for data collection was a 4-point likert scale titled “Tertiary Over-schooling and Lecturers’ Job Performance in Tertiary Institutions in Delta State” (TOSLJPTIDS). The data collected were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions. The findings of the study revealed amongst others that lecturers with higher degrees though not sufficiently motivated still perform effectively at the tertiary institutions in Delta State. The study concluded that over-schooled lecturers at the tertiary institutions at Agbor, Abraka and Ozoro were committed to lecturing and that they were interested in school activities other than lecturing. It was recommended that lecturers with higher degrees in tertiary level should be given incentives to justify their higher educational status to serve as an encouragement to other lecturers.