EMPLOYEE PARTICIPATION AND ORGANISATIONAL PERFORMANCE IN NIGERIA: ISSUES AND PROSPECTS

The study investigated the effects of employee participation on organizational performance inNigeria. Employee participation, encompassing decision-making processes, communication,and involvement of employees in the organizational activities, has widely recognized as asignificant factor influencing productivity, job satisfaction, and overall performance of theorganization. The study was anchored on Douglas McGregor's Theory X and Y. The studyexplores the multifaceted effects of employee participation on both productivity andsustainability in public sector that creates a culture of silence, perpetuates unspoken issues,lack of transparency and fear of retribution or judgement, untimely stifling of employee voice,leading to a lack of direction, purpose and motivation in the organization. Problem ariseswhen employees fails to grasp the organizations vision, mission, strategic objective andpriorities. As a result, their efforts become misaligned, leading to reduced productivity,efficiency and overall performance. However, various barriers hinder the fostering ofemployees’ participation, including non-participation in decision making, unspoken issues,lack of transparency and fear of retribution or judgement, untimely stifling employee voice,innovation and growth, disconnection from organizational goals and objectives. All theseattributed to the failure of the employees to grasp the organizations vision, mission, strategicobjective and priorities. The challenges faced by Nigeria workers are diverse, and thedecisions made today will influence organizations to adopt participatory method and othersystems that will enhance the employees and organizational performance in Nigeria businesssetting.