EFFECT OF EMPLOYEE SATISFACTION ON PERFORMANCE OF BENUE STATE CIVIL SERVANTS, IN BENUE STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract This study examined the effect of employee satisfaction on performance of Benue State civil servants, Nigeria, focusing on the impact of compensation, promotion, and work environment. Herzberg’s Two-Factor Theory (1959) served as the theoretical foundation. A survey research design was adopted, with a population of 14,966 civil servants. Data were collected via an adapted questionnaire. Analysis was conducted using multiple regression in SPSS Version 27. The findings indicate a strong positive association between employee satisfaction and performance (R = 0.744), with employee satisfaction explaining 59.9% of performance variance (R² = 0.599). Compensation and work environment significantly and positively influence performance, while promotion, as currently practiced, has a negative effect, likely due to perceived unfairness or lack of transparency. The study concludes that enhancing compensation, improving workplace conditions, and implementing merit-based promotion policies are essential for boosting performance. Recommendations include competitive salary structures aligned with economic realities, merit-based promotion systems, and strengthened workplace safety measures to create a secure and motivating environment.