INFLUENCE OF ETHICAL COMPLIANCE IN BUDGETARY ALLOCATION AND DISBURSEMENT ON LECTURERS’ PRODUCTIVITY IN PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES IN RIVERS STATE

Abstract

This study examined the influence of ethical compliance in budgetary allocation and disbursement on lecturers’ productivity in public universities in Rivers State. The research was guided by two research questions and two null hypotheses and employed a descriptive survey design to collect and analyze data. The population comprised 3,356 lecturers across three public universities: University of Port Harcourt (1,385), Rivers State University (1,585), and Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (386). Using Taro Yamane’s formula, a sample size of 357 lecturers was determined. Through proportionate stratified sampling, 147 lecturers were drawn from the University of Port Harcourt, 169 from Rivers State University, and 41 from Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, with the final sample consisting of 140 male and 217 female lecturers. Data were collected using a validated questionnaire titled Influence of Ethical Compliance in Budgetary Allocation and Disbursement on Lecturers’ Productivity in Public Universities Questionnaire, reviewed by two experts in Measurement and Evaluation at Rivers State University. Reliability was established using the Cronbach Alpha method, yielding a coefficient of 0.83. Descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) were applied to answer the research questions, while z-test statistics tested the hypotheses at the 0.05 significance level. Findings revealed that financial transparency compliance in budgetary allocation and accountability compliance in fund disbursement significantly and positively influenced lecturers’ productivity. Based on the findings, it was recommended that public universities adopt robust financial transparency frameworks that strengthen accountability in budgetary processes, ensuring efficiency, openness, and trust in financial management.