Al-Hikmah University Journal

The importance of motivation towards enhancing teachers’ productivity in schools cannot be undermined for the actualization educational goals. Thus, for schools to make teachers their major assets motivation should be of high priority to reduce depression and turnover. Thus, the study examines how motivational theories can be used to enhance teachers’ productivity in Nigerian in secondary schools. The concept of motivation was examined taking into cognizance the motivational processes. Also, the importance of motivation was elucidated consecutively. The theoretical bases for motivation in Nigerian secondary schools as well as application of the theories for enhancing productivity of secondary school teachers in the country were also meticulously examined. Additionally, the factors influencing teachers’ motivation in Nigerian secondary schools were elucidated consecutively. The study concluded that motivation does not need to be based on financial rewards, but non-financial mechanisms can also be employed to drive the best out of teachers. It was suggested among others that teachers should be encouraged and given platform to voice their concern on how they can be motivated, teachers’ performance appraisal should be fairly and justifiably rated to boost teachers’ morale and feedback mechanism. Teachers should be cognizance with the visions and missions of the school and work in synergy towards actualizing them and educational administrators should not stick to a particular theory but the circumstances should dictate and determine the theory to apply for effective service delivery.