Keywords
social capital building
Training and Development
Customs Service
Abstract
This study investigates the efficacy of Training and Development (T&D) programs in enhancing Employee Organizational Relationship (EOR) and building Social Capital within the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Kwara State Chapter. Against a backdrop of public sector demands for efficiency and reform, the research addresses the gap between T&D investments and their socio-relational outcomes. Utilizing a survey research design, data were collected from a sample of 278 officers using a structured questionnaire. Regression analysis was employed to test the hypothesized relationships. The findings reveal a significant positive effect of T&D on both EOR (R² = 0.479, p < 0.001) and Social Capital building (R² = 0.345, p < 0.001). This indicates that structured T&D initiatives substantially improve trust, commitment, and perceived organizational support while simultaneously strengthening interpersonal networks, inter-departmental collaboration, and shared professional identity. The study concludes that T&D transcends mere skill acquisition, serving as a critical strategic tool for fostering organizational cohesion and collaborative efficacy. It recommends the adoption of a sustained, dual-outcome T&D policy, the design of integrative and cross-functional training programs, and the establishment of relational metrics to evaluate T&D impact, thereby enabling the NCS to cultivate a more effective and resilient workforce for enhanced service delivery.
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