EVALUATION OF JOB PERFORMANCE OF VILLAGE EXTENSION AGENTS IN LAGOS STATE, NIGERIA

The aim of this study was to evaluate job performance in relation to the professional competence of Village extension Agents (VEAs) in Lagos State, Nigeria. Data were collected from One-hundred and twenty-five (125) VEAs across the three zones of the State. The respondents were selected through purposive sampling technique. Structured questionnaire duly validated and pre-tested was used to collect the data. The data were analyzed using frequency counts, percentages and mean while Chi-square was used to test the relationship between variables. The results of the study showed that though VEAs were professionally competent; their job performance was not satisfactory. The test of hypotheses showed a positive and significant relationship at 0.05levels, between (i) the areas of specialization (X2 = 55.07; p 0.05); (ii) years of experience (X2 = 12.91; p 0.05); (Hi) professional competence (X2 = 9.50; p 0.05); (iv) the attitudes (X? = 11.77; p 0.05); as well as (v) problems confronting the VEAs (X2 = 9.59; p 0.05); and their job performance. The study recommended among others that recruitment of VEAs should be based on relevance of their discipline to agriculture as well as practical experience in agriculture. Experienced VEAs should as a matter of policy be encouraged to remain in extension service through motivations. Local travelling allowances should be increased and paid regularly while making efforts to provide tangible means of mobility on the field. Adequate practicals should be the main focus of every training session of the frontline extension workers. Future training programmes should be organized in a way to help inculcate favorable attitudes to job performance in the VEAs.