Tertiary institutions are created for the purpose of attaining specific goals. Thus, each institution's resources, including human and non-human are budgeted, directed, coordinated and controlled towards the attainment of the set down goals. However, there is the need for special attention to be put in place to the human resources of the institutions, both academic and non-academic staff who are collectively responsible for the effective and efficient management of the institution. Adequate measures are needed to motivate the entire staff of these institutions for superior performance. Motivation in this sense means acknowledging and understanding employees needs, wants and feelings by boosting their abilities/knowledge. Though going by human nature, each individual think and act differently, this, of course, makes it difficult for management to choose the best motivational method; that suit each employee. This book review issues on motivation and examines the effect of intrinsic, extrinsic and job motivation against the performance of tertiary institution's employees, especially academia. It was discovered that intrinsic motivation boost performance more.