MENTORING AND ORGANIZATIONAL PERFORMANCE OF GOVERNMENT MINISTRIES IN RIVERS STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between mentoring and organizational performance measured by effectiveness and efficiency in government ministries in Rivers State, Nigeria. Anchored on Human Capital Theory and the Resource-Based View (RBV), the study adopted a cross-sectional survey design. The target population comprised 2,764 senior civil servants (Grade Level 08 and above) across 26 government ministries in Rivers State. Using Taro Yamane's formula, a sample of 316 usable respondents was obtained. Data were collected via a structured questionnaire and analyzed using Spearman Rank Order Correlation Coefficient. Results revealed that mentoring had a strong positive and statistically significant relationship with effectiveness (r = 0.696, p = 0.000) and a very strong positive relationship with efficiency (r = 0.779, p = 0.000). Both null hypotheses were rejected at p < 0.05. The study concluded that structured mentoring programs are critical drivers of organizational effectiveness and efficiency in public sector ministries. It recommended the institutionalization of formal mentoring schemes, integration of mentoring into performance management systems, and capacity building for mentors within government ministries.