Improving Staff Utilization and Productivity in the Nigerian Public Service through Training

Abstract

Training is a purposeful development of the required skills, knowledge and attitudes in an employee. It is the process of developing an individual’s skills, knowledge and abilities so as to improve the present and future performance. Staff utilization and productivity in the Nigerian public service are adjudged to be very poor. The findings of the study indicate that employees are recruited into the Nigerian public service essentially not on merit, but “political connections” and “god-fatherism”. Consequently, employees recruited into the Nigerian public service more often than not, do not possess the relevant skills for effective job performance. Similarly, as a result of political patronage, staff recruited are posted to juicy areas that seem to be more lucrative in terms of financial benefits and returns, regardless of the background and skills possessed. This follows that most staff find it extremely difficult to cope with their job specifications and as a result perform at substandard level. Based on the findings of the study, it is strongly recommended that effective training is the only panacea towards enhancing good staff utilization and productivity in the Nigerian public service.