EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE AND SUPPORTIVE LEADERSHIP STYLE AS PREDICTORS OF SECURITY JOB COMMITMENT AND THE MODERATION ROLE OF AGE AMONG NSCDC AGRO-RANGERS SECURITY OPERATION OFFICERS

Abstract

  Security job commitment is a degree and amount of response, sincerity and energy binding in performing securitywork by agro ranger unit of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) operation officers. This studyexamined emotional intelligence and supportive leadership style as predictors of security job commitment and themoderation role of age among agro-ranger NSCDC officers. Work Commitment theory guided this study and surveyresearch design was utilized to achieve the objectives. Two hundred and ten NSCDC agro-rangers operation officerswere recruited. They were randomly selected from six zones of agro-rangers units in Oyo state using a multistagesampling technique. Ages ranged from 26-47 years with a mean score of ( x 31.21; SD 7.96). Instruments for datacollection were a security attitude survey (α=0.93), EI scale (α=0.92) and supportive leadership scale (α=0.75).Hypotheses were analyzed through PPMC, independent t-test and multiple and hierarchical regressions at p≤0.05. Apositive relationship was observed between EI and security job commitment (r = .33 *** ), while supportive leadershipstyle was inversely related to security job commitment (r = -.20 *** ). EI and supportive leadership independently andjointly predict security job commitment [R=0.50; R 2 =.25; F (6,193) =10.95]. EI (β = 0.50 *** ), supportive leadership style (β =-0.41 *** ). Officers with high EI were more committed to security jobs compared to those with low EI. Age was found notto have ameliorated the relationship between EI and security job commitment attitude. Therefore, the Ministry of theInterior should embark on EI training for agro-ranger (NSCDC) officers. Maximum consideration for high EI in thefuture recruitment of NSCDC officers. Future researchers can explore more factors related to security jobcommitment.Keywords: Security Job Commitment, Emotion Intelligence, Supportive Leadership Style, Agro-ranger (NSCDC)officer.