A Professor of Human Resource Management and Corporate Governance, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE) Rumuolumeni Port-Harcourt Rivers State Nigeria, Professor Juse Nwoka has called for the appointment of Chief Happiness Management Officer in organizations.
Speaking while delivering the 80th inaugural Lecture of the University on Thursday June 25, 2026 at the University auditorium, on the topic “Happiness Management as an Emerging Paradigm in Human Resource Management: The PLC Model for Enhancing Workplace Productivity”, Professor Nwoka emphasized the importance of Happiness Management and PLC Model for enhancing workplace productivity.
He stressed that Happiness Management and PLC Model boosts business bottom line, help employees flourish in their roles, make them become more engaged, more creative and efficient. He remarked that under the model, employees unique strengths are effectively utilized with healthy social relationships supported with culture. This for him prevents burnout, increase sales, improves individual performance, encourages employees to be highly focused and creative, improves productivity, boost task efficiency and foster a supportive work culture.
According to the Dean of Faculty of Administration and Management Sciences, Happiness Management and PLC Model reduces costly attrition when companies invest in the overall welfare of their people, staff turnover and absenteeism drop drastically keeping experienced, satisfied employees and allow firms to retain top talents without incurring heavy recruitment and retaining costs.
The 80th inaugural Lecturer described Happiness Management as a strategic management tool that creates brand pride adding that employees who feel emotionally supported become better advocates for the organization, directly elevating the quality of customer service. He stressed the need for Human Resource managers to play the roles of a coach, parent, priest and motivator for a healthy workplace culture and to increase employees engagement productivity, reduce turnover and employee stress.
Organizations, the Professor of Human Resource Management and Corporate Governance argued should build a fun culture and the ability to have fun at work for happiness and a higher sense of well-being and better mental health. He also argued that employees well-being, psychological safety and emotional rewards are just as vital as financial compensation. Companies and organizations that fail to understand the role that Happiness Management plays in an organization”‘s productivity, profitability and growth will lose their best people.
Professor Juse Nwoka recommended that Management of Organizations should create environment where employees can develop their talents, exercise their virtue and contribute to common good. He also recommended that Organizations should invest in long term employee development, providing continuous learning opportunities and encouraging career growth.
The Dean of Faculty of Administration and Management Sciences suggested that Management foster a supportive culture in their organizations where employees feel like they belong and make them feel more human for them to grow, collaborate and feel genuinely appreciated. Also that Management should foster an environment of open communication, trust and inclusivity and equip leaders and Human Resource Managers with emotional intelligence skills to support their teams and remove obstacles.
Furthermore, ethical leadership, balanced policies and supportive relationships should be essential components of such an environment. Organizations should also move beyond short term incentives and cultivate lasting happiness and human flourishing.
Earlier the Vice Chancellor of IAUE Professor Okechuku Onuchuku described the day as a significant one in the life of the celebrant. He lauded him for the concepts and for arguing that Organizations should ensure that the rights of their employees are protected to make them happy.
Professor Nnamdi Anero in a vote of thanks appreciated the chiefs, elders, traditional rulers, political associates and the academia for turning up to cheer the celebrant. He also appreciated members of Senate for gracing the occasion.
