Merit or Benefit Capture? Politics of Recruitment in the Nigerian Public Service
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31150/ajshr.v4i8.2407Keywords:
-Abstract
Recruitment into the public service is expected to be based on merit as postulated by the public service rules and regulations. But sadly, this is observed more in the breach as more extraneous means are used to recruit people into the service. Most people come into the service through nepotism, tribalism, clientelism, favouritism, ethnicity, party affiliations, religious connections and sexual overtures. This study observed that these vices are what watered down the standard of service delivery in the public service as the people who come into service on the back of these vices lack the requisite skills, knowledge, qualification and experience that match their capabilities in rendering effective and efficient service to the people. In getting appointment or being recruited into the public service, Nigerians always like to pass through their political or administrative representatives in government whom we called in this work benefit captors. These politicians and politically exposed persons literally have “longer hands” than the rest of the people such that when government benefits fall they are the first to capture them and then distribute or dispense such benefits to members of their constituencies, family members, relations, cronies, loyalists, ethnics, religious and co-travellers, party affiliates and even their concubines. This paper argued that this trend of things culminates in running down merits in the public service but rather enhances the enthronement of mediocrity. As a way out, this paper suggested that the public service should be restructured so that recruitment and appointment be strictly based on merit and also that in employment in the public service, citizens should be strictly linked to the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) that provide the job vacancies and not through benefit captors. Finally, it was recommended that the practice of replacing dead, retired and resigned employees by few privileged people should be discontinued. All vacancies should be advertised to open room for competition.
References
Adebayo, A. (1992). Principles and Practice of Public Administration in Nigeria (Revised Edition). Spectrum Books Limited, Ibadan, Nigeria.
Agi, S. (2001). Religion, Ethnicity and Public Administration in Nigeria. In: E.J.C. Duru, M. Ikejiani-Clark and D.O. Mbat (Editors), Contemporary Issues in Public Administration. BAAJ Publishers, Calabar, Nigeria.
Akpama, A. (2004). Nigerian Public Service and Government Regulations. Jamel Publishers, Calabar, Nigeria.
Amuchezi, E. (1986). Church and Politics in Eastern Nigeria 1945-1966: A Study in Pressure Group Politics. Macmillan Publishers, Lagos, Nigeria.
Attai, A. (2011). Power, Group and Elites Theories of Politics. In: E. J. Tom, D.A. Adam and A. J. Attai (Editors), Political Analysis. University of Calabar Press, Calabar, Nigeria.
Bassey, J. and Edemidiong, E. (2021). Patronage Verus Merit: A Systematic Review of Recruitment Dynamics in the Nigerian Public Service. Aksu Journal of Administration and Corporate Governance. 1(2):71-81.
Cascio, W. (1991). Costing Human Resources. Kent Publishing Company, Boston, USA.
Cascio, W. and Elias, M. (1981). Human Resources Management: An Information Approach. Reson Publishers, Reston, USA.
Cole, G. (2011). Personnel and Human Resource Management. Bookpower Publishers, London, UK.
Egeonu, P. (2011). Appointment in the Nigerian Public Service. In: L.C. Nwachukwu, O. Onwubiko and E. A. Obi (Editors), Readings on the Nigerian Public Service. Bookprint Publishers, Onitsha, Nigeria.
Ekang, A. (2014). Theories of Administration and Management. Ani and C. Publishers, Eket, Nigeria.
Ekong, C. (2019). “Benefit Capture”, Aspirin Solution”, and “Corruption” in Nigeria’s Quest for Development. 73rd Inaugural Lecture, University of Uyo, Nigeria.
Eminue, O. (2001). Introduction to Political Science. Clear lines Publication, Calabar, Nigeria.
Federal Republic of Nigeria (2000). Public Service Rules. Government Printer, Abuja, Nigeria.
Kalu, O. (1978). Church Unity and Religious Change in Africa. In: E. Fashole-Luke (Editor). Christianity in Independent Africa, Ibadan University Press, Ibadan, Nigeria.
Mamadu, T. (2009). Corruption in the Leadership Structure of Nigerian Polity. Jochrisam Publishers, Calabar, Nigeria.
Mullins, L. (1996). Management and Organizational Behaviour. Pitman Publishers, London, UK.
Nnoli, C. (1980). Ethnic Politics in Nigeria. Fourth Dimension Publishers, Enugu, Nigeria.
(2011). The Struggle for Democracy in Nigeria. PACREP Publishers, Enugu, Nigeria.
Nwachukwu, L. (2011). The Problems of the Public Service in Nigreria. In: L. C. Nwachukwu, O. Onwubiko and E. A. Obi (Editors), Readings on the Nigerian Public Service. Bookprint Publishers, Onitsha, Nigeria.
Nwachukwu, C. (1988). Personnel Administration in Nigeria. University of Port Harcourt Press, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Nnwosu, H. (1985). Political Authority and the Nigerian Civil Service. Fourth Dimension Publishers, Enugu, Nigeria.
Peretomode, V. and Peretomode, O. (2005). Human Resources Management. Onosomegbo who Ogbinaka Publishers, Lagos, Nigeria.
Richard, J. (1991). Democracy and Prebendal Politics in Nigeria: The Rise and Fall of the Second Republic. Spectrum Books Limited, Ibadan, Nigeria.
Stahl, M. (1995). Management, Total Quality in an Global Environment. Blackwell Publishers, Cambridge, UK.
Uneke, O. (2010). Corruption in Africa South of the Sahara: Bureaucratic Facilitator or Handicap to Development. The Journal of Pan African Studies, 3(6): 111-128.
