Motivation and Employees’ Performance in Uyo Local Government Council, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

This study was carried out to ascertain if the motivational tools used by the Uyo Local Government Council affect the performance of the employees. The main objective of the study was to investigate the effect of motivation on employee performance in Uyo Local Government Council, while the specific objectives were to examine the effect of promotion, recognition and pay raise on the performance of employees in Uyo Local Government Council. Expectancy theory as propounded by Vroom in 1964 was adopted as the theoretical framework of the study. Primary and secondary sources of data were adopted in the study. The primary data were obtained through the administration of 240 copies of the questionnaire though 200 were correctly filled and returned. Secondary data were obtained from journals, the internet, books and government publications. Simple percentages and chi-square statistical tools were used to analyze the data obtained. The findings revealed that Uyo Local Government promotes members of staff when due and that recognition of staff plays an important role in employee performance. Also, the study indicated that there is a relationship between pay rise and employee performance. Based on the findings, the study recommended that the Management of Uyo Local Government Council should continue in its efforts to promote its hardworking staff for effective and efficient performance; the Council should design an effective system for the regular recognition and award to employees; also, the Council should ensure that pay rise within the capacity of the council is encouraged and improved for greater performance.