Background: Physical inactivity is a global public health concern and particularly prevalent among academic professionals whose roles are predominantly sedentary. Aim: This study assessed the physical activity levels among the academic staff at Delta State University, Abraka. Materials and Methods: A sample of 300 academic staff members was selected using stratified random sampling. The Rapid Assessment of Physical Activity questionnaire was used for data collection. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 25, employing Chi-square tests, ANOVA, and independent samples t-tests. Results: 43.3% of respondents were sedentary, 30.0% were under-active light, 18.3% were under-active moderate, and only 8.3% achieved the RAPA-defined aerobic “active” category. Based on the composite WHO operational definition (aerobic, strength, and flexibility), 37.3% met recommended physical activity guidelines, a proportion significantly lower than the 50% benchmark (z = −4.63, p 0.001). Physical activity declined significantly with age (F = 8.76, p 0.001), and differed across academic rank (F = 6.89, p 0.001), with Professors recording the lowest mean score (M = 2.7) and Lecturer II staff the highest (M = 4.4). Males reported significantly higher mean activity scores than females (t = 3.21, p = 0.001), although sex was not an independent predictor after multivariable adjustment (p = 0.260). Conclusion: Majority of the academic staff do not meet recommended physical activity levels, with notable demographic disparities. Recommendation: The study highlights the urgent need for institution-led wellness interventions tailored to age, gender, and job role to foster a more active and healthier academic workforce.
Godsday et al. (Thu,) studied this question.