According to Gallup, nearly 70% of employees worldwide are disengaged at work, and this number is often higher in developing economies. In Nigeria and across Africa, many businesses are experiencing rapid growth, yet employee engagement levels remain low. Disengagement is costly. It leads to absenteeism, low productivity, poor customer service, and ultimately, reduced profitability.
Why Are Employees Disengaged?
One major reason is lack of clarity. Many employees are not sure what is most important to their boss or organization. Without direction, they do just enough to get by. Another issue is lack of recognition. Research shows that employees who feel appreciated are far more likely to remain loyal and give their best. Unfortunately, many organizations fail to acknowledge even outstanding contributions.
Leadership gaps also play a big role. Supervisors who fail to coach, mentor, or provide meaningful feedback leave staff feeling unsupported. Add to this the absence of clear growth paths, and it’s no surprise that employees lose motivation.
What Can Leaders Do Differently?
African leaders must go beyond paying salaries to building cultures of engagement. This starts with training managers to lead with empathy, clarity, and accountability. Recognition systems — from a simple “thank you” to structured reward programs — can dramatically improve morale. Organizations must also invest in continuous training, not just in technical skills but also in productivity, leadership, and personal mastery.
One powerful tool is the EDGE Framework, which equips employees to deliver excellence, grow consistently, and engage meaningfully with both leaders and clients.
👉 If you are a CEO, HR leader, or manager, explore the EDGE Corporate Training Program today and discover how to transform disengaged staff into wow factor employees.