WORKFORCE DIVERSITY AND EMPLOYEE SATISFACTION IN DEVELOPMENT BANKS IN NIGERIA

As the financial sector evolves under the pressures of globalization and increased competition, organizations are compelled to explore strategies that enhance employee satisfaction and overall performance. Workforce diversity particularly in terms of age and gender has emerged as a critical factor influencing employee outcomes. Recognizing the strategic importance of inclusive human resource practices, this study examined the impact of workforce diversity on employee performance, with employee satisfaction serving as the key performance indicator. The research focused on three major development banks in Abuja, Nigeria: the Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM), the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), and the Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN). The primary aim was to empirically assess the effect of age and gender diversity on job satisfaction among employees within these institutions. A cross-sectional survey design was employed, and data were collected using structured questionnaires. From the total population, 240 valid responses were obtained and analyzed using multiple linear regression to evaluate the relationships between the diversity variables and employee satisfaction. Findings revealed that both age and gender diversity had a statistically significant and positive influence on employee satisfaction. Gender diversity was identified as the stronger predictor, suggesting that equitable gender representation and inclusive workplace practices significantly boost employee morale. Age diversity also showed a positive effect, highlighting the benefits of intergenerational collaboration in the workplace. Based on these results, the study recommends that Nigerian development banks implement targeted strategies to promote diversity such as inclusive leadership development and age-diverse team structures to foster a more satisfied and high-performing workforce