Talent Management Practices and Employee Performance in Selected Manufacturing Firms in Lagos State, Nigeria

Abstract This research examines the influence of talent management practices on employee performance within selected manufacturing firms in Lagos State, Nigeria. Talent management encompassing talent acquisition, training and development, retention initiatives, and succession planning has become increasingly critical for achieving organizational effectiveness, especially in highly competitive and rapidly evolving sectors such as manufacturing. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design, collecting quantitative data from 310 employees across medium and large-scale manufacturing firms through a structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression techniques. The results indicate that manufacturing firms in Lagos State actively engage in essential talent management practices, with training and development, as well as retention strategies, emerging as the most influential predictors of employee performance. Correlation analysis revealed strong positive relationships between all talent management components and employee performance, with training and development exhibiting the highest correlation (r = 0.721). Furthermore, multiple regression analysis confirmed that talent acquisition (β = 0.312), training and development (β = 0.298), retention strategies (β = 0.231), and succession planning (β = 0.105) all significantly affect employee performance (R² = 0.552, p < 0.01). The study concludes that effective talent management systems, particularly those emphasizing continuous development and employee retention, substantially enhance workforce productivity and organizational competitiveness. However, succession planning remains relatively underutilized and requires strategic strengthening. Based on these findings, it is recommended that manufacturing firms in Nigeria intensify their investments in employee development and implement transparent succession frameworks to ensure sustainable performance outcomes. These insights contribute to bridging the research gap in Nigeria’s manufacturing sector and offer practical guidance for human resource policy formulation.