THE NIGERIA PUBLIC SERVICE AND CHALLENGES OF SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

THE CIVIL SERVICE IN PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

Socio-economic indicators such as poverty level, life expectance, infrastructure facilities, availability of jobs, and standard of living, among others, have shown that Nigeria is lagging. Low socio-economic development has brought about untold hardship to the citizenry. This problem is attributed to the poor performance of the civil service as the primary instrument saddled with the task of development policy and programme formulation as well as implementation. It is based on the above that this study became imperative. This study explored the developmental roles of the civil service in Nigeria and the challenges to effective and efficient socio-economic policy and programme implementation. Secondary sources of data were used to generate data from the internet, journals and textbooks. Content analytical technique was employed to analyze the data and materials generated for the study. It was observed that the civil service plans for the nation's economic life and engages explicitly in the formulation and implementation of development policies and programmes of the state for the overall welfare of the people. Civil service plays a role in nation-building. On the other hand, some challenges that truncate the contributions of the civil service in socio-economic development in Nigeria include politicization of recruitment and selection of persons into the service, corruption, and poor administrative reforms, among others. The paper recommended that recruitment into the service should be based on the principle of qualification and experience. The qualification should not only be a paper qualification but also be based on a competitive examination and aptitude test organized by an unbiased panel of examiners. There is a need for regular training based on training needs in the Nigerian civil service and not based on other considerations. The paper also recommended an improved condition of service for the civil servants in Nigeria as this will serve as motivation for higher performance.