Effect of Motivation on Academic Performance of Business Education Students in Tertiary Institutions in Imo State

This study investigated the effect of motivation on the academic performance of Business Education students in tertiary institutions in Imo State, South East Nigeria. Motivation is a central construct in educational psychology, recognized as a key driver of student engagement, persistence, and achievement. In the context of Business Education, where courses span both theoretical and practical domains, understanding how motivational factors influence academic performance is essential for improving instructional and programme quality. A descriptive survey design was employed. The population comprised 460 undergraduate Business Education students in three tertiary institutions in Imo State. A sample of 230 students was selected using proportionate stratified random sampling. The Academic Motivation Scale (adapted and validated for the Nigerian context) and students Grade Point Averages were used as data instruments. Pearson Product Moment Correlation and multiple regression were employed for data analysis. Findings indicate that intrinsic motivation is the strongest predictor of academic performance, followed by teacher encouragement and goal-setting behavior. Extrinsic factors such as financial rewards and family pressure had weaker but still significant associations with performance. The study recommends that Business Education lecturers in Imo State tertiary institutions should design instructional activities that stimulate curiosity, provide regular positive feedback, and create opportunities for students to experience mastery, thereby fostering sustainable intrinsic motivation. Keywords: motivation, academic performance, business education, tertiary institutions, Imo State