Abstract

This study examined the effect of strategic talent management on employee retention in oil and gas servicing firms in Rivers State, Nigeria. Employee retention was measured through two dimensions: job commitment and employees’ loyalty. The study adopted a survey research design, targeting a population of 310 employees across selected oil and gas servicing firms. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed using correlation and regression techniques. The results revealed a strong and positive relationship between strategic talent management and both measures of employee retention. Specifically, strategic talent management was found to significantly enhance job commitment and loyalty among employees, accounting for over fifty percent of the variance in retention outcomes. The findings underscore the importance of structured recruitment, training, career development, and succession planning in fostering workforce stability within specialized and competitive industries. The study contributes to theory by validating the Resource-Based View and Human Capital Theory in the context of talent management, while providing empirical evidence relevant for policy and practice in oil and gas servicing firms. It is recommended that firms implement strategic talent management practices to strengthen employee commitment and loyalty, thereby reducing turnover and enhancing organizational performance.