THE IMPACT OF EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE ON ORGANIZATIONAL PERFORMANCE AND EMPLOYEE’S COMMITMENT (A CASE STUDY OF DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC)

This study examined the impact of emotional intelligence (EI) on organizational performance and employee commitment at Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc. The research specifically investigated the relationship between employees’ emotional intelligence levels and their commitment, the effect of EI on individual performance, the influence of EI on teamwork and collaboration, and the role of leadership’s emotional intelligence in shaping organizational culture and employee commitment. A quantitative research design was adopted, and data were collected through structured questionnaires distributed to 352 employees, with 310 valid responses retrieved, representing an 88.1% response rate. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). The findings revealed that emotional intelligence positively and significantly influences employee commitment, individual performance, teamwork effectiveness, and organizational culture. Key dimensions such as stress management, adaptability, empathy, and conflict resolution were found to be particularly strong predictors of organizational outcomes, while decision-making and communication showed weaker associations. Leadership emotional intelligence emerged as a critical factor in building supportive organizational cultures and enhancing employee attachment to organizational goals. The study concludes that emotional intelligence is not merely a soft skill but a fundamental competency that drives organizational success through improved interpersonal relationships, enhanced teamwork, and effective leadership practices. Theoretically, the research validates and extends Goleman’s Emotional Intelligence Theory, Salovey and Mayer’s Ability Model, and Meyer and Allen’s commitment framework by identifying EI as a significant antecedent of organizational commitment and performance. Practically, the study recommends that organizations integrate EI in recruitment, training, leadership development, and performance evaluation systems to strengthen employee commitment and organizational effectiveness. Keywords: Emotional Intelligence, Organizational Performance, Employee Commitment, Leadership, Teamwork, Organizational Culture, Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc.