ABSTRACT
Given
the centrality of the civil service to the realization of the objectives of
public policy in Nigeria, it is unavoidable for the service to be reformed from
time to in order for it to meet up with the ever changing realities within it
immediate environment.
This
research work on the assessment of the civil service reforms in Nigeria: A
study of Olusegun Obasanjo’s Reform of [1999-2007]. The civil service is part
of the public service which takes responsibility for planning, advicing and
implementing policies and programmes in government ministries and departments
but the civil service reform in Nigeria before Obasanjo’s lack the ability to implement,
plan and design the necessary strategies’ to reduce the cost of governance in
the service. several reforms were set up to look into the problems but to no
avail. Until May 1999 when Obasanjo assume office, he solve this problems with
the vision of an ideal civil service which is competent, professional,
development oriented, capable of responding effectively and quickly for the
needs of the society.
Therefore
we started by examining the historical background of reform in the civil
service, the literature review /theorical framework, the analysis of previous
reform and the problem facing the civil servant in Nigeria, the impact of the
reform on the Nigeria civil service in general, and some recommendation on how
to enhance efficiency, effectiveness and development oriented civil service.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Pages
Title page
i
Certification
ii
Dedication
iii
Acknowledge
iv
Table of contents
v
Abstract vi
CHAPTERONE
BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
1.1 Introduction 1
1.2 Statement of problem
3
1.3 Objective of the study
4
1.4 Research
Questions
4
1.5 Significance
of the Study
5
1.6 Scope
of the study 5
1.7 Research
methodology
6
1.8 Definination of terms
6
1.9 Chapterization
7
References
8
CHAPTER
TWO
2.1 Literature
review 9
2.2 Theoretical
Frameworks
15
References
19
CHAPTER
THREE
3.1 An
analysis of previous reforms and their
assessment 21
2.2 The problems of the civil service in
Nigeria
31
References 35
CHAPTER
FOUR : OLUSEGUN OBASANJO REFOR AND ITS IMPACT ON CIVIL
SERVICE IN NIGERIA
4.1 Obasanjo’s Reform of the civil service 36
4.1.1 The Reform Agender 41
4.1.2 Major Areas of the Reform 42
4.1.3 Institutional arrangement for
Civil Service Reform 55
4.2 The impact of the reform on the Civil
Service in Nigeria 57
References 61
CHAPTER
FIVE: SUMARY,
RECOMMENDATION AND CONCLUSION
5.1 Summary 62
5.2 Recommendation 63
5.3 Conclusion 64
Summary of findings 65
Bibliography 67
CHAPTER
ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
The
evolution of reforms in Nigeria can be dated back to the period of colonial
administration. In fact, the colonial administration made some attempts between
1941and 1947 at reforming and reorganizing the Nigeria Civil Service. Reforms
vary in scope from the most comprehensive to the extremely narrow. Indeed,
‘‘every regime in Nigeria from onset put the issue of administrative reform in
its genda’’ (Obasi, 1998). Reform is a process hat can be broken down into
distinct phases from the perception of problem to their implementation and
evaluation. However reform means to improve a system, an organization, a law,
by making changes to it, to make a change that can be made to a social system,
organization, etc in order to improve or correct it. [Oxford advanced learner’s
dictionary, 7th edition, 2005]. This means “reforms” are intended to
transform, to restore, to rebuild, to amend, to make better, to remove defects
from, to redress, to bring a better way of life. It apparently means that the
reforms of the civil service were/are intended to amend, transform, restore the
service and make better what so ever the
existing problem was in an era of a given period.
Nigeria
has undertaken many administrative reform from the pre to post independent era.
Historically, Nigeria gained her full independence in October 1st
1960 under a constitution that provided for a parliamentary government and a
substantial measure of self government for the country’s three regions. Since
then, various panels are studied and made recommendation for reforming of the
civil service, including the Tudor Davies of 1945, Harragin commission of 1946,
Gorsuch commission of 1954 Mbanefo commission of 1959, Morgan commission of
1963, the Adebo commission of 1971 and the Udoji commission 1972-74. A major
change accord with the adoption in 1979 of a constitution modeled on that of
the United States. The Dotun Philips panel of 1985 attempted to reform the
civil service. The 1988 Civil service reorganization decree promulgated by
General Ibrahim Babangida had a major impact on the structure and efficiency of
the Civil Service of earlier years.
The
1999 Civil Service has been undergoing gradual and systematic reform and
restructuring by Olusegun Obasanjo since May 29, 1999 after decades of military
rule. However, the civil service is still considered stagnant and inefficient,
and the attempt made in the past by panels have had little effect.
The
focus of this study is the civil service reforms in Nigeria and the efficiency
implication they had brought to the service of pre-independence period till
date.
However,
emphasis will be laid on the Olusegun Basanjo reforms of 1999 till date. This
is because the 1999 reform has been the first civilian reform after many years
of military regime.
1.2 STATEMENT
OF THE PROBLEM
The history on Nigeria
shows that it is a multi-ethnic society, which is characterized with different values,
ethics, traditions and views towards politics. As a result of the heterogeneity
of the country, the study, will focus and explore the slowness of the civil
service in responding promptly and effectively to its goals.
Furthermore, there
are various problems that challenge the civil service day in and day out from
the colonial epoch till date, which include the following:
·
Poor
Remuneration: In effect
this means that civil servant should not only be adequately remunerated but
that their salaries should be regular. In the Nigerian civil service, the
situation is that the remuneration provided has become grossly inadequate given
the present poor economic situation and the high cost of living.
·
Lack
of Merit: It has been claimed
that recruitment into the civil service is based on consideration other than
expertise and merit, contrary to the merit criteria postulated by Weberian the
most visible at such consideration is the federal character policy.
·
Misapplication
of Rules/Over-rigidity in Applying Rules: The hierarchical nature of the Nigerian civil service
which is in tune with the Weberian model power is concentrated at the top. Even
officers of management cadre are not allowed to take initiatives on issues that
are presented to them by their subordinates. Right from below, there is the
fear of taking action, hence buck passing is the norm in the civil service
since most matters are eventually always referred to the highest authority in
the ministry or department for action or decision.
·
Absence of Job Security: According to Weber, the ideal type of bureaucracy is characterized by a
career system in which there is security of tenure "civil servants as a
whole regard their greatest benefit as being job security and pensions."
In a service characterized by fear of loss of job, it will be difficult if not
impossible to obtain the best performance from employees. "Living in fear
of loss of job and income is incompatible with taking responsibility for job
and work group, for output and performance"
1.3 OBJECTIVES
OF THE STUDY
The objectives of the study are as follows:
Ø
To
examine the efficiency, effectiveness and accountability of the Nigerian
civil service.
Ø
To
investigate the ability of the civil service to combine both its authority and
responsibilities.
Ø
To
analyze the assessability of the Nigerian civil services in the checks and
balances of its activities.
1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
The objectives of the research are logically
tied to the research questions. The research questions include:
i.
How can
the civil service be properly situated as a source of influence on social
policies?
ii.
Can
failure of the civil service reform be detached from the colonial legacy
inherited from Britain?
iii.
To what
extent can we say military rule also combined as a factor impeding the
effectiveness and efficiency of reforms in the civil service?
iv.
Can we
really say reforms are natural in outlook with a view to discovering factor
inhibiting its effectiveness and efficiency and the various factors that led to
low morale?
1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
The intent
of this study is to examine the centrality of the civil service to the realization
of the objectives of the public policy in Nigeria. It is also undertaken in order
to eradicate existing problems and also, this study will serve as a form of reference
to further studies in the social sciences and management disciplines.
1.6 SCOPE
OF THE STUDY
The study is designed
to access the impact of civil service reforms in Nigeria. A case
study of Olusegun Obasanjo Reform of 1999 will be undertaken exploring
activities
surrounding the reform as well as the structure, innovation and shortcoming of
the reform. As a result of limited time allocated for the work and the
financial constraint facing the
researcher.
1.7 METHODOLOGY
This research work will make use of secondary
data that is qualitative of analysis. The method of collecting data is the use
of relevant literature like textbooks, journals, seminar papers and magazines.
1.8 DEFINITION OF TERMS
·
Civil
service is a term designating the civil administrative personnel of the public
authorities.
·
Civil
service reform is a package of policy measures and, like any other measures
reforms it has set goals which it aims at achieving. The institution of reform
measures in administrative machinery presupposes the existence of some
administrative deficiencies.
·
A civil
service commission is an independent body set up by the government charged with
the responsibility for employing, promoting, disciplining and dismissing civil
servants.
·
Public
complaint commission is the institution established to investigate and real
with cases of maladministration, injustice corruption and unfair treatment by
public officers or public authorities against citizens. This body is also
called ombudsman. The body was established in October 1975 by the military
administration.
1.9 CHAPTERIZATION
OF THE STUDY
This study is divided
into five chapters;
v
Chapter
one comprises of the Background of the study, Statement of the problem,
Objectives of the study, Significance of the study, Scope of the study, and
Methodology .
v
Chapter
two deals with the Literature Review and the theoretical framework
v
Chapter
three focuses with an analysis of previous reforms and the problems confronting
civil service in Nigeria.
v
Chapter
four discusses Olusegun Obasanjo's the impact of the Olusegun basanjo's reform
on Civil Service
v
Chapter
five is the Summary, Recommendations and Conclusion.
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