Evaluation of the Effect of Employee Welfare on Job Satisfaction in University of Maiduguri, Borno State

Employee welfare provisions are expected to enhance job satisfaction and retention, and evaluating this relationship at the University of Maiduguri, Borno State, North East Nigeria, provides evidence for human resources management improvement in a conflict-affected university environment. This study evaluated the effect of welfare provisions on job satisfaction among 240 academic and non-academic staff at the University of Maiduguri. Welfare dimensions assessed included housing support, medical benefits, transportation allowances, recreational facilities, and staff canteen services. Job satisfaction was measured using the Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis were employed. Results showed that housing support had the strongest positive effect on job satisfaction (beta = 0.46, p < 0.001), followed by medical benefits (beta = 0.39, p < 0.001). Transportation allowances were positively significant (beta = 0.28, p < 0.05) for non-academic staff. Recreational facilities had a non-significant effect. Staff who lived in university housing reported 37% higher overall job satisfaction scores than non-residents. Medical benefit adequacy was rated as poor by 58% of respondents, significantly reducing satisfaction scores in this dimension. The security situation in Maiduguri was cited as a context-specific modifier of welfare satisfaction, with 71% of staff expressing that security-related anxiety reduced the positive effect of welfare provisions on their overall job contentment. The study recommends enhanced housing provision and security support as priority welfare investments for the University of Maiduguri. Keywords: employee welfare, job satisfaction, University of Maiduguri, Borno State, North East Nigeria