EFFECT OF MOTIVATION ON EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE IN NIGERIA PUBLIC HEALTH SECTOR

Employee performance in Nigeria's public health sector remains a critical challenge, contributing to medical tourism and financial losses. Violence against healthcare workers, including physical attacks, arrests, and facility looting, disrupts service delivery and affects staff well-being. Despite the significance of human capital development, investment in workforce motivation and training has been largely neglected by both the government and private sector (Adele & Ibietan, 2020).This study aims to assess the relationship between motivation and employee performance in Nigerian Federal Medical Centers. The research hypothesis states that motivation significantly influences employee performance in these institutions. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 190 healthcare professionals from the University of Jos Teaching Hospital, using structured questionnaires. The study employed statistical methods such as stepwise regression analysis, Goodman and Kruskal's gamma analysis, and Somers' delta analysis to evaluate the correlation between motivation, career support, off-the-job training, and employee performance. The results indicated a strong positive relationship between motivation and employee performance (R² = 0.632, 0.7082), with motivation emerging as a key predictor (ã = 1.000, p = 0.000). Additionally, poor working conditions and lack of recognition were identified as major demotivating factors. The findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to enhance healthcare employees' motivation, including improvements in working conditions, provision of health insurance, implementation of performance-based rewards, and opportunities for professional growth.