The Effects Of Recruitment And Selection Procedures On The Efficiency Of The Public Service In Nigeria: A Case Study Of Oshimili South Local Government Of Delta State

ABSTRACT

This research work assesses the effects of recruitment and selection

procedures on the efficiency of the public service in Nigeria using

Oshimili South Local Government as a case study. The study contends

that the efficiency and effectiveness of any work place whether private or

public largely depend on the calibre of the workforce. The availability of

a competent and effective labour force does not just happen by chance but

through an articulate recruitment and selection exercise. However,

recruitment and selection procedures in the Nigerian public service have

been severely politicized by both politicians and top bureaucrats. In other

words, recruitment and selection procedures are subverted and replaced

with informal processes which make employment of competent people

difficult. The data used in this study was collected from both primary and

secondary sources. The primary method or sources of data collection

included the use of a research instrument, (the questionnaire) and

interview. Some research questions were asked as guide to the

respondents in order to elicit first hand information on the subject matter.

The questionnaire contained twenty five structured questions designed in

both open and close ended style. In addition, the questionnaire was

validated and administered accordingly. Secondary sources of data

collection on the other hand, included textbooks, journal, government

documents and internet materials. The study adopted the use of simple

percentage, tables and descriptive content approach for data analysis. The

data analysis revealed that; the recruitment and selection procedures in

public service in Nigeria are not strictly followed during employment of

staff; politicization and other informal processes dominate the established

recruitment and selection procedures during employment of staff; merit

principle do not always count to secure employment in public service

rather the use federal character, quota system, indigeneship, son of soil

syndrome, etc. are mostly considered; there is an established relationship

between inefficiency of the Nigerian public service and weak recruitment

and selection processes. Based on the above findings, the study

recommended that more strict measures should be introduced to ensure

meritocracy in staff recruitment and selection in the public service in

Nigeria.