Purpose: This study aims to examine the motivational strategies employed by heads of higher educational institutions in Nigeria to enhance the performance of their academic staff. Design/Methodology/Approach: The research adopts a quantitative approach through survey data collection. The sample comprises 1,782 academic staff members drawn from various State Polytechnics in Northeast Nigeria. Stratified and purposive sampling techniques were used to select participants. A structured questionnaire served as the main data collection instrument, while secondary data was derived from relevant sources such as textbooks, journals, periodicals, and government publications. The collected data was analyzed using simple percentages for demographic information and linear regression analysis to explore the effect of motivation and employee performance. Findings: The findings of study reveal that there is a significant effect of motivation on employee performance among academicians in state polytechnics north-east Nigeria, it is also found that both intrinsic and extrinsic motivation has a significant effect on employee performance. The findings also revealed that extrinsic factors, such as salary, benefits, and recognition, significantly influenced lecturers' performance. This suggests that the external rewards and incentives provided by the institution play a crucial role in motivating lecturers to perform their job effectively. Research Limitations/Implications: These results have important implications for both higher institutions and organizations. They emphasize the positive influence of motivation on employee performance and suggest that implementing strategies to enhance motivation can lead to improved performance outcomes. Such strategies may include recognition programs, rewards, career development opportunities, and creating a supportive work environment. By adopting these approaches, higher institutions can enhance employee performance and achieve overall organizational goals. Originality/Values: Overall, this study contributes to our understanding of the relationship between motivation and employee performance in the context of higher educational institutions. It provides evidence for the importance of motivation in driving performance and offers recommendations for fostering a motivated work environment to enhance employee productivity and organizational outcomes.