Public Sector Capacity Building and Accountability: The Nigeria’s Dilemma

Abstract

This paper examines the deficit and challenges in human capacity development (manpower development) in critical sectors of the nation’s economy and public service system. The paper also x-rays the concept of accountability in public governance where official corruption in deferent guises has become almost a social norm. This study therefore seeks to establish the manpower challenges faced by the by the public service system and some critical sectors of the economy like the oil and gas industry that has over shadowed the other sectors of the economy; Agriculture, manufacturing and services, etc. Ironically from findings, even the oil and gas sector that has dominated the other sectors of the economy and contributes over 90% to its GDP and national budgeting, the country has lost its managerial operation to foreign expatriates who have the technical know-how in the downstream and upstream sector and has monopolized, dominated the sector at the detriment of Nigerians who lacks the intellectual capacity. The study therefore observed and recommends that the global economy has become a single factory, a single market, it is knowledge driven (globalization) and hence the need for government at all levels to invest in human capacity development specifically in entrepreneurship and vocational skills where the country is critically lacking so as to create wealth, generate sustainable employment, boost economic growth and reduce the over dependence on the oil and gas sector that dominates the entire economy. The study also recommend that the nation’s anti-graft agencies must be strengthen and given financial and operational autonomy so as to enable them tackle cases of corruption with vigour and hold political office holders accountable to their deeds and misdeeds while in office.