AN ASSESSMENT OF FEDERAL CHARACTER PRINCIPLE IN NIGERIA CIVIL SERVICE: 2011-2015
ABSTRACT
The study examines the efficiency and productivity of Federal Character principle in the Nigeria Civil service. The motivation of the study was borne out of the ineffectiveness, inefficiency, lack of professionalism and low productivity that characterized the Nigerian civil service due to ineffective implementation and enforcement of the Federal Character Principle by the Federal Character Commission.
The objectives of the study are to: examine the principles guiding the operation of Federal Character Commission (FCC), examine the recruitment procedures in Nigeria civil service, determine the factors militating against implementation of Federal Character principle in the Nigeria civil service; and proffer possible strategies for implementation of Federal Character principle in the Nigeria civil service.
The study used the Bureaucratic and Representative Bureaucracy theories as the theoretical framework. The study employed qualitative method. The study revealed that there is nothing wrong with the idea of Federal Character principle as it still remains a veritable tool to help enthrone effectiveness, efficiency, professionalism and national unity.
Also shows that, the problems associated with the implementation of the Federal Character principle in the Nigeria civil service is only due to ineffective application by the Federal Character Commission. In other to solve these problems, the study recommends that the legislative arm of government should ensure through its oversight function the effective and efficient implementation and enforcement of Federal Character principle by the executive arm of government (the federal character commission) and that the recruitment and promotion of staff in the Nigeria civil service should be based on merit.
CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTIONBACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
All over the world, federal systems have increasingly been seen as political arrangements that afford an opportunity for the myriad diversities within a political system to find legitimate expression. Elazar (1993) has rightly opined that the federal principle is intrinsically an expression of political diversity and accommodation without in any way undermining the basic commitment to the sovereignty of the nation. Shastri (2001) opines that federalism „rests upon the love for complexity‟.
The need to address perceived injustices and imbalances in plural and sharply divided societies across the globe has frequently brought about official state policy actions to mitigate or to correct prevailing grievances in the organization and management of their public services or performance.
Federal Character action is intended to enhance the opportunities of specific groups within a society to offer them equal access comparable to that of the prevailing majority. At other times, the effort provides function or subject-specific concessions in areas of education, the economy, jobs, social welfare decisions. According to Oyedeji (2015), these efforts are variously described as affirmative action (USA), quota or federal character system (Nigeria), reservation (India), protected characteristics or equal opportunity act (the UK), equality section (Canada), employment equity (South Africa).
Nigeria is a federal society with 36 component states, with a population of over 160 million segmented into over 250 ethnic groups which makes an arrangement that could accommodate the different segments of the country in the public bureaucracy without any segment feeling marginalized such as federal character a necessity (Gberevbie, 2012). Tonwe and Oghator (2009) write that before the adoption of federal character, Nigeria had introduced quota system into the public service in 1958 with the aim of ensuring equitable representation of various groups in the country.
AN ASSESSMENT OF FEDERAL CHARACTER PRINCIPLE IN NIGERIA CIVIL SERVICE: 2011-2015
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