PROFESSIONAL NEEDS OF NIGERIAN TEACHERS

This study, designed to identify what needs teachers seek to satisfy in their work place, was carried out in Imo State of Nigeria. Data were collected by a Herzberg‐type interview. Teachers were found to be primarily concerned with adequate pay, occupational advancement, appreciation, personal comforts, security, leadership, achievement and opportunity for personal growth, in that order. It does not appear that these teachers are primarily maintenance‐seekers desiring lower order needs (Maslow) or hygiene factors (Herzberg). Intrinsic needs are rated much lower than extrinsic needs. This may have been conditioned by the Nigerian environment where basic social amenities like electricity, housing, water and transportation are still very inadequate. This study therefore gives an indication of what educational leaders in Nigeria can look into in developing motivational strategies for teachers.