IMPROVING PRODUCTIVITY IN NIGERIAN FIRMS THROUGH STAFF TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES

DIBIE, V.M.
Department of Marketing
Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike Abia State.
E- mail: v.dibie@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT
This study focused on improving productivity in Nigerian firms through staff training and development programmes. The study was carried out through a descriptive survey of four manufacturing firms across Lagos metropolis. A well structured questionnaire was used to generate relevant data from 50 potential respondents (10 from each firm), which include top management staff, senior managers and managers across disciplines, within the firm, through a simple random selection process. The findings of the study revealed that staff training and development programmes bring about improved staff performance in task execution; and as well enhance skills, knowledge and abilities of managerial staff to handle different responsibilities. This led to the conclusion that staff training and development programmes are quite necessary for Nigerian firms, in order to reap the full dividends attached. Based on the findings and conclusion of the study, major recommendations given include: Nigerian firms should give more attention to staff training and development programmes, periodically. The firms should evaluate services from training and development programmes and use data generated for planning. They should also operate flexible policies regarding selection of staff for training and development among others.