Abstract
The widespread exist of personnel from privately-owned higher institution of learning has been observed. A number of factors ranging from poor working condition, stringent conditions and lack of clear-cut leadership styles among others have alluded as the cause of the personnel turnover without recourse to emotional intelligence. This study investigated the correlate of emotional intelligence on turnover intention of library personnel in private universities in South-west, Nigeria. The study adopted descriptive survey research design. The population was made up of 219 Library personnel in 31 private universities in South-west, Nigeria. The instrument used was an adapted questionnaire tagged: Library Personnel Turnover Intention Questionnaire (LPTIQ). Data was analysed using descriptive statistics of frequency counts, percentages for the socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents, linear and multiple regression analyses for the hypothesis at 0.05 level of significance. Findings revealed that there was a high level of turnover intention among library personnel (x? = 2.89). There was influence of emotional intelligence (personal and social competence) on library personnel turnover intention (x? = 2.77). Emotional intelligence is identified as a significant factor promoting library personnel turnover intention of library personnel. Therefore, the need f to provide good human resources management targeted at retaining library staff was suggested. Provision of job motivation as a means of reducing library personnel turnover intention was also recommended.