Dr Delight O. Idika, Dr Evelyn I. Orji & Chidimma I. Idika
Abstract
The objective of the study was to investigate the perception of south-south university lecturers on the impact of innovation in research practice for sustainable development. The study adopted a quantitative research approach with a descriptive survey. The population comprised all academic staff in the four public universities in Cross River and Akwa Ibom States, Nigeria which numbered one thousand five hundred and ninety one (1591) persons. Through a multistage sampling procedure, stratified random sampling and accidental sampling, a sample size of 504 was drawn from four faculties of each of the Universities: Education, Social science, Management science and Science. Data was collected through the use of self-administered questionnaire with Cronbach alpha coefficients of 0.76. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analyses. The result shows, amongst others, that the professional practices of lecturers in the two states with respect to publication and overall practices were high. The study recommends, among others, that government should adequately support universities through funding and infrastructural development. This should include the provision of general satisfactory work condition and conducive environment for staff efficiency as this could help bridge any disparity in professional activities among universities in South – South Nigeria and global society.