Professor Jude Akomolafe, a Professor of Counselling Psychology, has identified emotional intelligence and job commitment as critical drivers of national growth, warning that the persistent lack of worker dedication in Nigeria is exacting a heavy toll on the country’s development.
He stated this on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, while delivering the 44th Inaugural Lecture of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State, Nigeria.
The lecture was titled ‘Did You Complete What You Started? The Tripartite Roles of Commitment, Predictors and Therapeutic Interventions’.
Prof. Akomolafe argued that organisational success is largely contingent on employee commitment, stating: ‘For an organisation to achieve its goals, vision, and mission, workers must demonstrate a high level of commitment. If every employee effectively carries out their tasks, such an organisation will remain productive and highly competitive.’
He decried the widespread lack of job commitment across sectors in Nigeria, describing it as a major hindrance to development: ‘Lack of workers' commitment is one of the major challenges facing all sectors of the economy.
Many sectors are in disarray due to workers’ lack of commitment. For any meaningful progress to be made, workers must demonstrate a high level of genuine commitment. Is this achievable? The answer is unequivocal-yes.’
Drawing on decades of research, Prof. Akomolafe identified key psychological predictors of commitment including emotional intelligence, self-efficacy, personality types, and job satisfaction.
He recommended interventions such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and emotional intelligence training to boost worker motivation and efficiency, noting: ‘Therapeutic interventions have proved highly effective in enhancing Nigerian workers’ commitment.’
The scholar stressed the need for comprehensive reform in staff recruitment and management practices, advising: ‘Counselling and organisational psychologists should be part of recruitment teams.’
This would ensure candidates with suitable personality traits—particularly extraversion, agreeableness, and conscientiousness—are hired, noting employees with neuroticism or excessive openness may struggle with commitment.
To foster workforce commitment, Prof. Akomolafe outlined policy recommendations including regular staff training, inclusive decision-making processes, and prioritising workplace wellbeing.
‘Organisations should focus on creating enabling environments where employees are motivated to align with organisational goals without close monitoring,’ he stated.
He also advocated for fairness and justice in workplaces, cautioning against punitive leadership: ‘Discipline should be administered when appropriate… but note that oribibe kò lè ṣe oògùn orí fífò (cutting off the head is not the cure for a headache),’ emphasising the need for empathetic leadership.
Prof. Akomolafe noted, ‘By investing in employees' welfare and development, organisations can cultivate a motivated workforce more likely to exhibit positive work attitudes and commitment. This ultimately leads to improved performance and competitive advantage.’
In his opening remarks, the Vice Chancellor and Chairman on the occasion, Professor Olugbenga Ige, praised Prof. Akomolafe’s scholarly dedication and academic contributions, particularly in counselling psychology.
He noted the lecturer’s research ‘has not only advanced intellectual discourse but provided practical solutions to real-life challenges,’ further commending his commitment to mentoring, teaching, and community service as ‘a shining example of academic excellence in service to humanity’.
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