ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND ITS EFFECT ON ADMINISTRATORS’ MOTIVATIONAL COMPETENCE AND ACADEMIC JOB PERFORMANCE IN STATE-OWNED UNIVERSITIES OF NORTHEAST NIGERIA

Abstract

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a transformative technological innovation in modern organizations, with universities increasingly adopting AI-driven systems to improve efficiency, productivity, and decision-making processes. In the context of Nigerian higher education, university administrators play a crucial role in policy implementation, coordination of academic activities, and the management of institutional processes that support teaching, learning, and research. Despite this critical responsibility, administrators in many state-owned universities face persistent challenges such as limited resources, bureaucratic bottlenecks, and heavy workloads, which often reduce their motivational competence and consequently affect their academic job performance. This study examined the effect of Artificial Intelligence on administrators’ motivational competence and academic job performance in state-owned universities in North East Nigeria. A survey research design was adopted for the study, and data were collected from academic administrators through the use of structured questionnaires. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical techniques to determine the influence of AI on motivational competence and job performance. The findings revealed that the integration of AI significantly improved administrators’ motivational competence by simplifying administrative tasks, enhancing decision-making processes, and reducing routine workload. The study also found that AI positively influenced academic job performance through improved record management, efficient communication, and the timely execution of administrative responsibilities. Based on these findings, the study concluded that the adoption of AI in university administration can play a significant role in strengthening administrators’ motivation and improving their job performance. It therefore recommended increased investment in AI infrastructure, continuous training of administrators, and the development of supportive institutional policies to enhance the effective use of AI in higher education administration in Nigeria.