The Motivations and Aspirations of 3,029 Educated Urban Nigerians

Abstract

The present study’s objectives were: (a) to estimate the proportion of educated Nigerians whose behaviour was motivated by various levels of needs; (b) to estimate the proportion of those who aspired to be motivated by these needs; and, (c) using factor analysis, to determine whether behavioural motivations and aspirations would aggregate into meaningful patterns. The 3029 subjects included individuals from most tribal and occupational groups. The least-endorsed motivational need was the aesthetic level (60.3%); the other levels of needs were endorsed by over two-thirds of participants, with self-actualization being the most popular. Factor analysis yielded three significant factors. All aspirational need levels loaded on Factor 1, indicating the salience of these needs. Factor 2 included psychological need levels, while Factor 3 included material needs and aspirations.