Evaluation of the Effect of Training and Development on Employee Performance in Nnpc Limited, Abuja

Training and development investments are expected to enhance employee performance in technically complex organisations, and evaluating their impact at NNPC Limited, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, provides evidence for the effectiveness of human capital development in Nigeria's national oil company. This study evaluated the effect of training and development programmes on employee performance at NNPC Limited, Abuja, using data from 220 employees drawn from the Operations, Finance, and Human Resources directorates. Training activities assessed included on-the-job training, off-site technical courses, and online learning modules delivered during 2021 to 2023. Employee performance was measured by supervisor performance appraisal scores, project completion rates, and self-efficacy ratings. Paired t-tests compared pre- and post-training performance scores, and multiple regression identified significant training predictors of performance. Results showed statistically significant improvement in performance appraisal scores following formal off-site training (mean increase: 14.2 points, t = 6.73, p < 0.001). Online learning modules produced smaller but significant performance improvements (mean increase: 7.6 points). Employees who received more than 40 hours of annual training showed 22% higher project completion rates. The training-performance relationship was moderated by job relevance of training content, with highest gains for technically aligned courses. The study concludes that structured and technically relevant training significantly improves employee performance at NNPC Limited and recommends aligning training needs analysis outcomes directly with unit performance targets to maximise return on training investment. Keywords: training and development, employee performance, NNPC Limited, human capital, Abuja