NEXUS BETWEEN INTRINSIC MOTIVATION AND EMPLOYEES’ JOB SATISFACTION IN THE PUBLIC SERVICE: THE NIGERIA’S EXPERIENCE

Abstract

Many employers in the Nigerian public service do not realise the extent to which their employees are not satisfied with their jobs, nor   the   extent to   which   that makes or mars the   success   of   their organizations. Motivation is what energises the employees to be satisfied towards improved performance. However, employees’ job satisfaction is thwarted because of lack of adequate motivation especially intrinsic ones such as regular training, career progression and recognition among others. The paper is entitled Nexus between Intrinsic Motivation and Employees’ Job Satisfaction in the Public Service: The Nigeria’s Experience. Therefore, this study specifically focuses on the nature and manifestations of employees’ motivation in the public service, it determines the implications or link between the intrinsic motivators such as recognition, promotion or advancement and growth or training and job satisfaction in the Nigeria’s public service. Data were collected from secondary source which include published and unpublished texts. The data were presented and analysed qualitatively. The study revealed among others that intrinsic motivators such as recognition, growth and advancement have positive relationship with employees’ job satisfaction in the Nigeria’s public service. However, it is also revealed that employees in the Nigerian public service have been striving to be satisfied with improved salaries or pay and adequate provision and utilisation of intrinsic factors as emphasised by Hertzberg. It is concluded that most public organisations use different measures in relation to the intrinsic motivators and even the extrinsic ones. It is recommended among others on the need to ensure employees’ favourable policies that encourage reward for hardworking, regular training and development, smooth promotion, clearly defined tasks and responsibilities that are challenging and job enrichment.