EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE COMPETENCIES AND EMPLOYEE JOB PERFORMANCE AT THE NIGERIAN INSTITUTE OF TRANSPORT TECHNOLOGY (NITT), ZARIA: THE MEDIATING ROLE OF EMPLOYEE RESILIENCE

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of emotional intelligence (EI) competencies—specifically self-awareness, self-regulation, empathy, and social skills—on job performance at the Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology (NITT), Zaria. It further examines the mediating role of employee resilience in these relationships. Emotional intelligence is increasingly recognized as a critical factor in determining individual and organizational effectiveness, particularly in high-demand public sector environments. Using a quantitative research design, data were collected from NITT employees through structured questionnaires and analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The results reveal that each EI component has a significant and positive effect on job performance. Furthermore, employee resilience was found to mediate the relationship between all four EI dimensions and job performance. These findings suggest that emotional competencies, when reinforced with psychological resilience, play a crucial role in improving employee outcomes. The study underscores the need for organizations like NITT to integrate emotional intelligence training and resilience-building interventions into their staff development programs. Such efforts will not only enhance individual performance but also contribute to institutional effectiveness and service delivery in Nigeria's transport sector.