GENDER DEFERENTIAL EFFECTS OF PREMIUM MOTOR SPIRIT (PMS) SUBSIDY REMOVAL AND DEVALUATION OF NAIRA ON JOB PERFORMANCE OF CIVIL SERVANTS IN SOUTH-EAST NIGERIA
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.22842889Keywords:
PMS subsidy removal, naira devaluation, gender differential effects, job performance, civil servants, South-East NigeriaAbstract
This study examined the gender differential effects of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) subsidy removal and naira devaluation on the job performance of civil servants in South-East Nigeria. The study was anchored on Social Role Theory and supported by Herzberg’s Two-Factor Theory. An explanatory sequential mixed-methods design (QUAN - QUAL) was adopted. The study was conducted in Anambra, Ebonyi and Enugu States, selected through simple random sampling from the five states of South-East Nigeria. From a population of 32,322 civil servants, a sample of 1,121 was determined using Taro Yamane’s formula at a 5% level of precision. A multistage sampling procedure was used for the quantitative phase, while purposive sampling was employed to select participants for in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire, IDI guide and FGD guide. The questionnaire recorded a test-retest reliability coefficient of 0.82. Quantitative data were analysed using frequencies, percentages, chi-square and ANOVA in SPSS version 25, while qualitative data were thematically analysed and triangulated with the quantitative findings. Of the 1,121 questionnaires distributed, 1,087 were found suitable for analysis. The findings revealed that PMS subsidy removal and naira devaluation adversely affected the job performance of both male and female civil servants, although the nature and intensity of the effects differed according to gender roles and social responsibilities. Male employees were perceived to experience greater productivity decline and psychological stress associated with traditional expectations of providing for household needs, whereas female employees were considered more vulnerable to fatigue arising from domestic and childcare responsibilities. In conclusion, the study established that economic policy shocks adversely affected civil servants irrespective of gender, although the underlying pressures differed between men and women. The study recommends gender-sensitive workplace support, transportation assistance and sustained macroeconomic reforms to mitigate the effects of economic shocks on civil servants’ welfare and job performance.
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