ABSTRACT

The performance of academic staff in the Federal Universities in Southeast Nigeria, has been a subject of concern, with issues such as limited research output, inadequate mentorship, and stagnation in career progression hindering overall academic excellence . This study identifies the effect of career development on the performance of academic staff in federal universities, in Southeast Nigeria. The specific objectives were to; ascertain the effect of career planning on the teaching competence of academic staff, determine the effect of training on the teaching competence of academic staff., identify the effect of career mentoring on the research and publication of academic staff and ascertain the effect of career growth on the community services of academic staff in the federal universities, in Southeast Nigeria. The study used a survey research design. The population of the study consists of 8,888 academic staff in the federal universities, in Southeast Nigeria. A sample size of383 was deduced using the Taro Yamane formula. Primary data were elicited with a structured questionnaire while the Cronbach Alpha reliability technique was used to test the reliability of the questionnaire. Purposive and random sampling techniques were used to sample the academic staff in these universities. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data obtained from the fieldwork and Ordinary Least Square Regression analysis was used to test the study hypotheses at a I% level (Sig< .0 I) of significance. Findings revealed that career planning had a positive and significant effect on the teaching competence of academic staff, and training had a positive and significant effect on the teaching competence of academic staff. Based on these findings, the study concluded that career development had a positive and significant effect on the performance of academic staff in federal universities, Southeast Nigeria. The study recommended that federal Universities need to sustain continuous professional development, research funding opportunities, mentorship, and collaboration with international academic networks as it significantly affects the teaching competence of academic staff. Also, Federal universities need to develop tailor-made training programmes that address the specific needs and challenges faced by these academic staff