Enhancing Employee Engagement Among Lecturers in Nigeria: Insights from the UK Higher Education System

Employee engagement is an essential feature that influences an organisation's success, especially in higher education institutions, where the quality of research and teaching directly influences academic outcomes. The title of this PhD thesis, "Enhancing Employee Engagement Among Lecturers in Nigeria: Insight from the UK Higher Education System," examines the main drivers of employee engagement among lecturers in Nigeria, taking a clue from the comparative analysis as practised in the UK higher education system. Furthermore, the differences and similarities between identified patterns, such as motivation, leadership styles, organisational culture, institutional support mechanisms and professional development opportunities among the two contexts to determine how the engagement levels, were explored.Adopting qualitative research methods and taking an interpretative stance was the best approach for this study. This research design was appropriate for the investigation as it entails the researcher creating rapport with participants during the interview to understand their intentions, motives, and actions, thereby gaining deeper insight into the study. With lecturers from Nigerian and UK universities, the study identifies the significant factors of the research that either promote or hinder lecturers' engagement levels. These factors include access to continuous professional development, leadership support, job security, and the recognition of academic achievements. The study also examines the role of technological integration (teaching experience), institutional reputation, funding, and work-life balance in fostering engagement among the academic workforce.The findings highlight areas where Nigerian universities can adapt successful engagement strategies from UK institutions, particularly in terms of offering structured professional growth opportunities, encouraging supportive leadership, and improving workplace conditions. Recommendations are made for policy reforms and institutional practices to enhance lecturer engagement, thereby improving the overall quality of education in Nigeria. Academics in both countries widely acknowledge that diversity, inclusivity, and cultural norms play a significant role in shaping their professional interactions and relationships with colleagues and students, thereby leading to employee engagement.This research contributes to the broader discourse on employee engagement in higher education, providing practical insights for university administrators, policymakers, and stakeholders aiming to create a more motivated and engaged academic workforce in Nigeria.