Diversity Management and Performance of Ministries in Edo State, Nigeria

Abstract

The increasing rate of tribalism, regional identities and discrimination among employers and employees in Nigerian organizations most especially public ministries has remained a recurring spike in Nigeria. The study selected ministry of agriculture, health and education in Edo State to examine the level of diversity practiced in terms of gender diversity of ministries in Edo state. The general objective of this study is to examine the relationship between diversity management and employee performance in Edo State ministries. The study specifically aims to identify the extent of relationship that exists between gender diversity and employee commitment of selected Ministries in Edo State. Descriptive research design was adopted in the study. The target population was 275 employees of ministries of agriculture, health and education in Edo State. A total of 275 copies of questionnaire were disseminated to the respondents of the study and only 262 were filled and returned which served as the sample size. The data were collated and analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Percentages and frequency tables were used for the descriptive aspects. To test the hypothesis formulated, Spearman Rank Correlation Coefficient Analysis was adopted. The study revealed that diversity management such as gender diversity affects employee commitment. The study concludes that gender diversity is a critical workforce diversity management that determines employee commitment in an organization. The study recommends that there is need for creating awareness and conducting trainings bordering on management diversity since most of the staff did not think the organization has invested enough in sensitizing employee.