The Nigerian Public Service System: Challenges and Prospects

Abstract

This work reviews the functioning of the Nigerian Public Service System. Nigerian public service system is saddled with numerous challenges which militate against its performance as an instrument of socio-economic growth. Since independence various governments both military and civilian have taken measures to address the problems that beset Nigerian public service system. It is worrisome that these measures have not achieved the desired results. The basic thrust of this work is to identify those problems that undermine the effective functioning of the Nigerian public service. Based on the findings of this work, the problems include among others corruption, negation of merit principle, lack of adequate training, poor remuneration,
lack of working materials, indiscipline, red-tapism and conflicts between the generalist administrators and professionals. It is imperative to increase the wages and salaries paid to public servants. This will enable them to face the rising inflation occasioned by deregulation policies of the government. Only a motivated public servant can be able to discharge his constitutional responsibilities effectively.