EFFECTIVENESS OF WHISTLEBLOWER SUPPORT PROGRAMMES ON EMPLOYEE RETENTION IN PUBLIC TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS IN SOUTHWEST, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study investigates the effectiveness of whistleblower support programmes on employee retention in public tertiary institutions in Southwest Nigeria. Specifically, it examines how organisational protection mechanisms, institutional response quality, psychological support systems, and social support systems influence whistleblower retention. A cross-sectional survey research design was adopted, and data were analysed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). Findings reveal that organisational protection mechanisms and psychological support systems exert significant positive effects on employee retention, underscoring the importance of formal safeguards and emotional well-being frameworks for sustaining employee commitment after whistleblowing. Conversely, institutional response quality and social support systems were not statistically significant predictors of retention, suggesting that procedural responses and informal peer support alone are insufficient. The study concludes that effective protection and psychological support are vital for fostering trust, stability, and loyalty among employees who disclose wrongdoing. Public tertiary institutions are therefore recommended to institutionalise comprehensive protection frameworks and integrate professional counselling services into their whistleblower support programmes to enhance retention and organisational integrity.