Decentralisation and Civil Service Efficiency in Nigeria

Abstract

Viewing civil service as a supporting strategy for decentralising government operations for quality service and greater accountability, this study analysed the relationship between decentralisation and the effective performance of civil service in Nigeria. However, the study obtained information from secondary data which include; official documents and official websites of governmental institutions in Nigeria, academic journals, and Newspapers. The study revealed that decentralisation policy has not translated to civil service efficiency in terms of quality service delivery and greater accountability. The study further revealed that decentralising administrative responsibilities to lower governmental levels should be encouraged with less political interference. Therefore, proper accountability needs to be integrated into all aspects of the Nigerian civil service to provide efficient services to the citizens. The study concludes that unless the government strengthens the enforcement phases of accountability, the objective of decentralisation in Nigeria may not be fully actualised.