STAFF CATEGORIZATION IN THE NIGERIAN UNIVERSITY: IMPLICATIONS ON THE MANAGEMENT OF CONFLICT FOR EFFICIENT SERVICE DELIVERY

Abstract

Staff categorization in the Nigerian University is meant to complement each other through their contrasting features so that, basic university functions are improved and completed seamlessly.   Despite this intention, the diverse categories of staff disagree on matters of common interest while performing their duties.  The dominant explanation of this disagreement referred to as conflict is the diversity of individual/group’s backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. The disagreement results to counter productive work behaviours that debilitate individuals, teams and organizations in the long run.  The author reviewed literature on staff categorization in the Nigerian University and the roles/societal expectations from the categories and, went ahead to identify problems areas among diverse staff categories in the Nigerian University.  Strategies for improving the management of conflict among diverse categories of staff in the Nigerian University and the implication were also discussed.  This gave rise to six recommendations given as suggestions among which is that, personality awareness by individuals and groups resulting to open-mindedness to opinions of others in order to address mutual hostility and all kinds of opposition and antagonistic interaction should be imbibed by the Nigerian University Staff. This will ensure that university processes, people skills and materials are properly integrated to give the designed service