ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of emotional intelligence on students’ academic performance using the University of Benin, Benin city, Edo state, Nigeria as the primary scope of the study. To actualize the objectives study, five research questions were raised, and five hypotheses generated to guide the study. The study covered a sample size of one hundred (100) respondents which were students drawn randomly from University of Benin, Benin city, Edo state, Nigeria. The study adopted questionnaire as research instrument to sample the opinion of the respondents on the research subject. A total of 100 questionnaires was distributed to students in the institution, retrieved and analyzed. The data generated was analyzed using descriptive statistics via frequency distribution and descriptive mean. The linear regression model was used to test the hypotheses and ascertain the relationship between the variables using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 22.
The study showed that emotional intelligence is significantly related to academic performance, and that self-awareness, self-motivation, emotional management, and interpersonal skill are vital in enhancing students’ academic performance. Whereas, empathy is not significantly related to academic performance.
The study recommended amongst other things that aside the IQ (intelligent Quotient), students should endeavour to develop other relevant quotients such as: EQ (Emotional quotient) which relates to an individual’s ability to manage their emotions; this includes the ability to understand and self-manage their own feelings in positive ways to communicate effectively, empathize with others, overcome challenges, manage conflict and relieve stress; the SQ (Scocial quotient) otherwise referred to as Social-intelligence which deals with one’s ability to interact and communicate with others with empathy and assertiveness. This includes a person’s ability to build a network of friends and maintain it over a long period of time; and as well as the AQ (Adversity Quotient) which refers to one’s ability to overcome challenges or adversity.
