This study explores the intricate relationship between emotional intelligence (EI), transformational leadership, and employee engagement. It posits that leaders with high emotional intelligence are more likely to exhibit transformational leadership behaviors, which in turn, foster higher levels of employee engagement. A quantitative, cross-sectional research design was employed, with data collected from 350 employees and their immediate supervisors across multiple service-sector organizations in Nigeria. The results, analyzed using path analysis, support the proposed model. A leader's emotional intelligence was found to be a significant predictor of their transformational leadership style. Subsequently, transformational leadership was positively associated with employee engagement. The study also found a partial mediation effect of transformational leadership in the relationship between leader EI and employee engagement. This research contributes to the leadership literature by empirically linking these three crucial constructs in a non-Western context and offers practical guidance for leadership development programs aimed at improving organizational effectiveness.

Effective corporate governance is widely regarded as a cornerstone of financial stability and performance, particularly in the banking sector. This study investigates the impact of corporate governance mechanisms on the financial performance of listed commercial banks in Nigeria. Using a panel dataset of 15 banks over a 10-year period (2013-2022), we examine the relationship between board characteristics (board size, board independence, and CEO duality) and firm performance, measured by Return on Assets (ROA) and Tobin's Q. The study employs the Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) to control for potential endogeneity. The results indicate that board independence is positively and significantly associated with financial performance, while CEO duality has a negative impact. Board size was found to have an insignificant relationship with performance. These findings have important implications for regulatory bodies and bank boards, highlighting the need for strengthening corporate governance practices to enhance shareholder value and ensure the soundness of the financial system.

The proliferation of digital technologies has transformed the marketing landscape, offering new avenues for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to reach customers and drive growth. This study examines the factors influencing the adoption of digital marketing by SMEs in Nigeria and its subsequent impact on their sales performance. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 400 SME owners and managers across various industries. The data were analyzed using multiple regression analysis to test the hypotheses derived from the Technology-Organization-Environment (TOE) framework. The findings reveal that technological factors (perceived benefits and compatibility), organizational factors (top management support and firm size), and environmental factors (competitive pressure) are significant determinants of digital marketing adoption. Importantly, the study confirms a strong positive relationship between the extent of digital marketing adoption and sales performance. This research provides valuable insights for SME owner-managers on leveraging digital marketing to enhance their competitive position and for policymakers on creating a supportive ecosystem for digital transformation.