Principio del Derecho a la Defensa

The suggestions listed here under will help improve the Nigerian civil service:- i. The need to define objectives: Departments and agencies of government need

to give conscious attention to aims, goals and targets. One of the modern management techniques, Management By Objective (MBO), should become

the aim of policy in all government departments.

ii. Use of delegation: Some factors producing inefficiency in the public service

can be traced to the lack of delegation of duties on the part of heads of departments and divisional heads or sectional heads. There is too much dependence on hierarchy, and some hierarchies are too long to make for quick

decision – making and efficiency in management .

iii. Constant review of programmes: For efficiency to be ensured and maintained, it is necessary that departmental programmes, procedure and processes should

be regularly reviewed. The procedures and processes should similarly be reviewed. Some processes and procedure may be outdated or indeed no longer necessary.

iv. Optimum use of talent and ability: An individual should be fixed or given the tasks for which they are most suited by training, experience and temperament etc.

4.0 CONCLUSION

Our analyses in this unit show that Nigerian public service has contributed

tremendously to Nigeria’s development ever since the amalgamation of 1914 to date.

Though it has witnessed successes and crises but it is still relevant to our development in the 1st century. Some of the programmes or methods being used in the civil service

now are outdated. It is therefore the work or task of the government to review such programmes etc.

5.0 SUMMARY

In this unit, we looked at the structure and organization of public administration. The structure of public administration means the institutional framework or administrative machinery within which the work of government is carried out.

The unit traced the origin and growth of the Nigerian civil service. It described the structure and organization of government ministries and departments. The functions of the Nigerian civil service were discussed.

We also identified and discussed the problems of the Nigerian civil service and the suggestions for improving the civil service in Nigeria.

ANSWERS T O SAES IN THIS UNIT

1. a. Public administration is the management of affairs of the government at all levels – federal, state and local government

b. The structure of public administration in the modern state comprises the ministries, departments, advisory governmental bodies, administrative tribunals, quasi – ministerial agencies and autonomous governmental agencies

2. a. The civil service performs information function.

b. The civil servants play a role in policy formulation and advice.

6.0 TUTOR – MARKED ASSIGNMENT

1. Identify and discuss the functions of Nigerian civil service 2. Examine the problems of Nigerian civil service

7.0 REFERENCES/FURTHER READINGS

Adebayo, A. (2000). Principles and Practice of Public Administration in Nigeria. 2nd

Edition. Ibadan. Spectrum Books, Ltd.

Ezeani, E.O. (2006). Fundamentals of Public Administration. Revised Edition.

Enugu. Snaap Press Ltd.

Omotoso, F. (2001). (ed). Contemporary Issues in Public Administration. Lagos.

Bolabay.

Ujo, A.A. (2004). Understanding Public Administration. Kaduna. Joyce Graphic Printer Publishers Company

UNIT 16

LOCAL GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION IN NIGERIA TABLE OF CONTENT

1.0 Introduction … … … 2.0 Objectives … … …

3.0 Local Government Administration in Nigeria… … … 3.1 The Concept of Local Government … … … 3.2 Theories of Local Government … … … 3.3 Structure of Local Government … … … 3.4 Reasons for Creating Local Government … … … 3.5 Functions of Local Government … … … 3.6 Local Government Revenue … … … 3.7 Problems of Local Governments … … …

3.8 How to Enhance Local Government Revenue Base … … … … 4.0 Conclusion … … …

5.0 Summary … … …

6.0 Tutor – Marked Assignment … … … 7.0 References/Further Readings … …. … … …

1.0 INTRODUCTION

Local government is a product of decentralized administration. Government at local level exercised through representative council established by law to exercise specific

powers within defined areas. Nations of the world today saline political power or authority among different levels of government to ensure adequate and effective coverage of government’s objectives and policies. Every nation contains smaller groups who exhibit differences in population, customs, language, and needs, the needs

differ from one group to the other.

Therefore, there is great need for decentralization of governmental powers in order to accommodate the smaller communities and interests. This can only be achieved by setting up small units of government to take charge of he local administration in the country. The smaller units of administration are called local government in Nigeria.

However, since there exists different forms of local government the concept of the local government has also been seen from various view points.

2.0 OBJECTIVES

At the end of the unit, you should be able to:

i. Define local government.

ii. Discuss the theories of local government

iii. State the reasons for creating local governments

iv. Explain how to enhance the local government revenue base.