Employer Value Proposition and Attraction of Top Talent in Competitive Business Environment: Evidence from Bayelsa State, Nigeria

This study examines the role of employer value proposition (EVP) in attracting top talent in a competitive business environment in Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Three dimensions of EVP — compensation and benefits, career development opportunities, and organizational culture are tested against talent attraction using simple regression analysis. Data were collected from 254 HR managers, recruitment officers, and department heads across six sectors in Bayelsa State through a structured questionnaire. Results reveal that compensation and benefits (β = 0.524, R² = 0.275, p < 0.01), career development opportunities (β = 0.461, R² = 0.213, p < 0.01), and organisational culture (β = 0.439, R² = 0.193, p < 0.01) each significantly predict talent attraction. These findings affirm that a clearly articulated and credibly delivered EVP is among the most powerful tools available to organisations competing for scarce high-calibre talent in Nigeria's Niger Delta business environment. The study contributes original empirical evidence to the talent management literature in an underrepresented African context and offers actionable recommendations for HR practitioners and business leaders in the region.