MANPOWER INVENTORY AND FORECASTING AS CORRELATES OF STRATEGIC GOALS ACHIEVEMENT OF PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES IN SOUTHWEST, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study examined manpower inventory and forecasting as correlates of strategic goal achievement in public universities in Southwest Nigeria, given the persistent challenges in aligning human resource planning with institutional objectives despite noticeable staff growth. The objective was to investigate the relationships between manpower inventory, manpower forecasting, and the achievement of strategic goals. A descriptive survey and correlational design was employed, targeting 600 academic and non-academic staff across six public universities selected through multistage sampling. Data were collected using a validated Strategic Goal Achievements Questionnaire and a manpower inventory instrument and analysed with descriptive statistics and Pearson Product Moment Correlation at 0.05 significance level. The findings revealed that while universities experienced considerable growth in academic staff numbers, there was no significant relationship between manpower inventory and strategic goal achievement. Conversely, manpower forecasting showed a significant positive relationship with the attainment of strategic goals, underscoring the importance of proactive planning. Based on the findings of the study, it was concluded that simply increasing staff strength does not guarantee strategic success; rather, effective forecasting and alignment of human resources with institutional aspirations are crucial. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommend that university management prioritise data-driven forecasting models, conduct regular manpower audits to align human resources with strategic goals, and ensure that staffing benchmarks are strictly adhered to, while planners should base projections on accurate data to enhance goal attainment.