EMPLOYEES’ BURNOUT AND EMPLOYEES' PERFORMANCE AT FEDERAL UNIVERSITY DUTSIN-MA, KATSINA STATE.

Abstract

Employee performance is a cornerstone of institutional effectiveness, particularly in academic environments within developing economies where expectations are high and resources are often constrained. In such contexts, employee burnout poses a critical threat to organizational productivity and long-term sustainability. This study examines the influence of burnout—operationalized through emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment—on employee performance at the Federal University Dutsin-Ma (FUDMA), Katsina State, Nigeria. Adopting a quantitative research design, data were gathered from 360 purposively selected staff members out of a population of 3,356 using a structured questionnaire. The study employed descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis to assess the strength and direction of the relationships between burnout dimensions and employee performance. Findings indicate that all three burnout components exert a statistically significant negative effect on employee’s performance, with emotional exhaustion emerging as the most potent predictor. These results highlight the pervasive and undermining effect of psychological strain on individual productivity and institutional outcomes. The study recommends that FUDMA management adopt a proactive stance by promoting work-life balance, institutionalizing psychological support systems, enhancing intrinsic job satisfaction, and cultivating effective leadership. The practical implications extend to designing integrated wellness initiatives, recognition and reward mechanisms, and workload optimization strategies aimed at sustaining employee engagement and improving organizational resilience