Institutions of Higher Learning (Universities, Polytechnics and Colleges of Education) are prepared as centres of excellence in their tripartite role as reservoir and transmitters of knowledge from generation to generation, the advancement of the horizons of knowledge by research and the provision of high level manpower. To be able to discharge their duties effectively, the Nigerian academics need to constantly upgrade their knowledge in their areas of specialization through a variety of sources some of which include textbooks, journals, attendances to conferences, seminars and workshops, researches and electronic information sources. In an effort to attain these goals, Nigerian higher institutions are bedeviled by several crises such as underfunding, low morale, violence, and cultism, and destruction of University autonomy, among others. With this scenario, one becomes inquisitive to know how the Nigerian academics carry out their Research functions in the bid to produce knowledge and the challenges they face as a means of proffering useful suggestions. The study adopted a descriptive survey design. The population consists of all the Academic staff of Federal University Of Technology Owerri (FUTO) and Imo State University Owerri (IMSU), numbering about 906.10% of the population made up of 35 senior lecturers and 55 lecturers below the rank of senior lecturers were sampled for the study, using the proportionate random sampling techniques. Also, some members of the appraisal committee of the two universities were used as sample. A researcher developed questionnaire validated by the researcher's colleagues in education administration and measurement & evaluation was the major instrument for data collection. A test re-test reliability analysis yielded a reliability index of 0.81. Data collected were analysed using mean score statistics, hypotheses were analysed using Z-test statistics. The findings of the study among others, show that uniformed criteria as specified by NUC is used in appraising scholarly research and it also indicates that evidence of stakeholders' utilization of research funding is not a significant factor in a appraising research work. Some recommendations were proffered based on the findings: the need for NUC to ensure adequate coordination of research outputs of the university lecturers and also improved funding to encourage quality research work in higher education.