PUBLIC SECTOR REFORMS AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA. A CRITIQUE

Francis Nnaemeka Mbuba

Department of Public Administration

Anambra State University, Igbariam Campus

Email: fn.mbuba@yahoo.com
Abstract: Public Service Reforms in Nigeria and beyond are prosecuted, in the effort to improve management in governments by increasing efficiency, effectiveness, and the delivery of quality services to; the people. However experience has shown that the public service reform recommendations in Nigeria have not been properly implemented and therefore have negated both the spirit and the philosophy that motivated the reform efforts. As a result the public service in Nigeria is far from achieving the goals for which it has been established. This paper has therefore look closely at the public service reform efforts from the colonial period to the present day and identified the draw backs that have militated against their implementation. Through the scrutiny of the abundant literature on the public service reforms efforts in Nigeria, recommendations on the way forward have been made. Among others, it has been recommended that an independent institution should be established and empowered with the necessary legislation to handle the task of monitoring and ensuring that the recommendations to the government towards the achievement of the goals of the reforms are accomplished. The reforms from the inception to implementation should be democratic in order to be people-oriented and achievable