Abstract:

The benefits of a well-planned mentoring programme to mentors, mentees and the Universities cannot be overemphasized. The main thrust of this study therefore, is to examine how mentoring practice can enhance career development of lecturers in universities in Rivers State, Nigeria. Survey research design was adopted and the study is anchored on theory of change. The population was 1,721 lecturers made up of 1,467 lecturers from University of Port Harcourt and 254 lecturers from Rivers State University (2016/2017 academic session). Proportionate stratified random sampling technique was used to get a sample size of 334 (20%). Four research questions guided the study. Data were collected using researchers'- generated instrument called "Mentoring Programme Development and Implementation Questionnaire"(MPDIQ). The findings revealed among others that there is absence of formal mentoring programmes in various faculties in both universities although very informal mentoring activities are prevalent. Based on the findings, recommendations made include the urgent need for the development of sustainable mentoring programmes to engender quality research and academic delivery in the Universities in line with global best practices.

Keywords:

Mentoring programmes, career development, Universities, Rivers State.