Use of Institutional Repository and Continuous Professional Development On Academic Output of Agricultural Lecturers in Universities in North-Central, Nigeria

Abstract

Academic output remains a vital measure of scholarly productivity, professional growth, and institutional prestige particularly in agricultural disciplines that drive food security and sustainable development. This study examined the influence of institutional repository (IR) use and continuous professional development (CPD) on the academic output of agricultural lecturers in universit universities across North-Central Nigeria. A descriptive survey design employing mixed methods was adopted, targeting a population of 365 agricultural lecturers from six universities identified through the Directory of Open Access Repositories. The data collection tool was the questionnaire complimented by the observation checklist. The method of data collection was through self-administration of questionnaires by researchers in universities in North-Central utilising institutional repositories. The total enumeration method was adopted thereby using the entire population of the study since they were manageable. Research instruments were validated through a pilot test with a Cronbach's Alpha coefficient of 0.75, confirming internal consistency reliability. The method of data analysis used for the study was descriptive statistics using frequency counts, mean and standard deviation to analyse the research questions, while inferential statistics such as Pearson Moment Correlational Coefficients (PPMC) for determining the relationships between the dependent and independent variables while the Multiple regression analysis was used to predict the individual impact mpact or contribution of the independent variables on the dependent variable. The findings revealed that research publications. journal articles, and theses/dissertations are the most common academic oulputs available in institutional repositories. while teaching materials, research data, and open educational resources remain scarce. The study also found that agricultural lecturers ral lecturers exhibit a high level of academic output, producing reports, preprints, and journal articles more frequently than lecture notes or presentation slides. Me .Moreover, the extent of IR use was found to be high, primarily for accessing scholarly literature, enhancing research visibility, and ensuring digital preservation. The study concludes that active utilization of institutional repositories and participation in CPD activities significantly enhance academic productivity. It recommends that universities strengthen repository infrastructure, promote awareness, and provide regular CPD opportunities to foster sustained academic excellence among agricultural lecturers in Nigeria.