This study is correlational and adopts the cross sectional survey design in assessing the relationship between exemplary leadership and employee engagement in the Nigerian banking industry. Data for the study was generated from a sample of 201 employees from the main branches of the 21 commercial banks in Port Harcourt Nigeria. Analysis concerned the demographic, primary and secondary data analysis in which frequencies and contingency tables were used to describe the data distribution. The Spearman's rank order correlation coefficient was used to ascertain the relationship between the study variables and all three hypothetical statements of null relationships between the dimensions of the predictor variable, exemplary leadership (model the way, inspiring a shared vision and enabling others to act) and the criterion variable, employee engagement was rejected given the outcome of significant associations in all three instances. The Findings show that exemplary leadership significantly impacts and enhances employee engagement within the selected banks and propels them to perform better and at optimal levels. Based on the foregoing findings, it was therefore recommended that for organizations; especially banks, to effectively commit and get their workforce engaged with regards to their jobs; it is important for them to recognize exemplary leadership as an imperative pathway to adequately enhancing and motivating their workforce.