Development of a Reliable and Valid Attitude Scale for University Lecturers' Perception of the Teaching Profession in Southwest Nigeria

Teaching quality remains one of the most influential school-based determinants of students’ academic achievement and overall development. Beyond learners’ socio-economic backgrounds, the effectiveness of lecturers plays a critical role in shaping educational outcomes and national development. As education systems strive to prepare students for participation in a knowledge-based society, lecturers are expected to demonstrate strong content mastery, pedagogical competence, and the ability to address diverse learning needs. Central to this expectation is lecturers’ attitude toward the teaching profession, which significantly influences their instructional practices, professional commitment, and interaction with learners. Attitude, conceptualized as a cognitive, affective, and behavioral disposition formed through experience and motivation, shapes how lecturers perceive and perform their professional roles. Empirical evidence suggests that teaching experience positively influences attitudes toward the profession, while variables such as gender and field of study may not significantly affect such dispositions. Given that lecturers serve as nation builders whose quality impacts future generations, fostering positive professional attitudes is essential for sustainable educational improvement. This paper underscores the importance of cultivating and assessing lecturers’ attitudes toward teaching as a strategic approach to enhancing teaching quality, professional satisfaction, and educational transformation.