An Examination of Appraisal Techniques –Human Resource Management Use for Upgrading the Employees in Banking Sector in Nigeria

This research work is an assessment of performance appraisal management human resource managers’ use upgrading employees in the banking industry in Nigeria using selected banks. The study was designed to find out the extent Nigerian banks have embraced performance management and to assess the leadership commitment towards the effectiveness of performance management. The population of the study was 283 Staff of Ecobank, Diamond bank, and United Bank for Africa (UBA), Access bank, and First Bank Nigeria in Jimeta Metropolis, Adamawa State. A sample size of 166 was determined through the Taro Yamane formula. Primary data were collected by means of questionnaire which was administered on the managers, supervisors, senior and junior staff of the banks. The data collected were analyzed and interpreted using inferential and descriptive tools. Hypotheses were tested with single sample t-test and simple linear regression. Study discloses that Nigerian banks have embraced performance management significantly and that effective performance management reduces employee turnover and improves service quality. Again, there is a significant, positive relationship between leadership commitment and performance management effectiveness and significant positive relationship between communicating strategy to the staff and performance management. The study therefore recommends that Nigerian banks should invest on their employees and managers so as to drive and consolidate the gains of performance management to remain competitively relevant in the industry.