Reinforcing the civil service ethics to enhance good governance in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic

Abstract

An honest, selfless, non-partisan, neutral and accountable civil service is a sine qua non for the realization of the policies and programs of the government meant to enhance the socio-economic well-being of the citizens. This study interrogates the Nigerian Civil Service vis-a vis its core values. The central problematic is to find out whether the Nigerian Civil Service functions in accordance with its ethics? And if not; what is the impact of the collapse of the civil service ethics on the performance of the service; and what can be done to re-invigorate the civil service ethics to enhance effective and efficient service delivery to promote good governance. The study which is analytical relies on secondary sources of data and adopts the Public Choice Theory as its frame work of analysis. The study found out that there is collapse of ethics in the Nigerian Civil Service and this has inadvertently enthroned corruption and undermined its efficiency and effectiveness in policy implementation thus diminishing the sectors’ qualitative input to the development of the country. Amongst, other recommendations, the study suggests improvement in the working conditions of civil servants and strengthening institutions and laws that promote accountability.