THE IMPACT OF REFORMS ON THE PERFORMANCE OF NIGERIA CIVIL SERVICE

Project Abstract

The reforms were means of responding to the problems confronting the civil service at specific times and as ways of making it responsive to the demand of the modern society. It could be observed from the analysis that virtually every regime in Nigeria had one thing or the other to do with the civil service. Colonial reforms were basically general toward indigenization the nation’s civil service. The immediate administrations at all levels after attaining independence continue with the Nigerianization process of the civil service at different speeds. The most fundamental in the history of the civil service reforms were the 1988 reforms. It made the minister the chief executive and accounting officer and the permanent secretary become politicized. The Abacha regime reversed some provisions of the 1988 reforms and other succeeding regime sustained it.

Project Overview

INTRODUCTION1.1 BACKGROUND TO STUDYThis project examines the impact of reforms on performance of Nigeria civil service with particular reference to public service in Kogi State.Nigeria has undergone various reforms right from colonial period to post independence period, most of these reforms emphasize on increasing efficiency and effectiveness of the civil service. This research project will show how these reforms affect the Nigeria civil service.1.2 RESEARCH PROBLEMThe research problem is that do reforms in Nigeria civil service have an impact on the performance and if so how does it effect Kogi State public service?1.3 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDYThe aim and objective of this study is to find out whether the reforms affect of the performance of civil servants in Nigeria changes that the reforms brought to the administration of public service in Kogi State.1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONHow do reforms affect the performance of public service in Kogi State?1.5 HYPOTHESISThe hypothesis assumption of this research work are:-Ho: Reforms in the Nigeria civil service have led to increase in the performance of the public service.Hi: Civil service reforms in Nigeria does not have a real effect on the performance of Kogi State Public service.1.6 SIGNIFICANT OF STUDYThe significance of these study is that reforms introduced very fundamental changes to the system in an attempt to make it conform with the business orientation of most civil services particularly the developed countries. The inadequacies in civil service which culminated into inefficiency and ineffectiveness which render the civil service unproductive need to be resolved and remedied, or else, the service will nor be able to perform the expected roles in the socio-economic development of the nation.1.7 SCOPE AND DELIMITATIONThe scope of this research study is limited to Kogi State how the impact of civil service reforms of 1988 and post 1988 affected its public servants and in the course of the research various hindrances were observed, Lukewarm attitude of the respondents and delay in returning the questionnaire and many other personal duties did not give us enough time.1.8 LIMITATIONThe research work will be limited to 1988 and post 1988 reforms to enable us assess the real impact of the reforms on the performance of civil service in Nigeria.1.9 DEFINITION OF TERMSREFORMS: Reforms are about positive changes in a system, improving the quality of things, practice or structure. A reform is an acknowledgment of a problem, a problem that needs to be resolved. Reform is about creating a new life in a system.Overall, reforms are about creating improved opportunities for better performance, improved efficiency for enhance productivity. Reform is an all exercise and not just one time surgical operation. This is because no condition is permanent. No engine can permanently work efficiently unless it is also being constantly serviced and repaired. So ale are administrative institutions like the civil service. They need to be oiled regularly by way of reforms in order to make them constantly be in good shape and in good condition.CIVIL SERVANTS: According to Adebayo (1986) the civil service comprises all employed in a civil capacity and whose remuneration is paid out of money voted by the legislation.Adamolekun (1983) sees the civil servant as “The body of permanent officials appointed to assist the political executive in formulating and implementing governmental policies”. He also sees the second usage of the terms as referring to The ministries and departments within which specific aspects of government are carried out”.PUBLIC SERVICE: Public service as a term is broader in scope than civil service. Hence it includes not only those who works in the regular government ministries and department but also statutory corporations, boards and the armed forces.Ademolekun (1983) defines it as the totality of that civil service that are organized under a government authority, it can therefore be said that civil service is narrower in scope and exclude some government employees who are public servants.