Managing Discipline Problems in the Contemporary Nigerian Civil Service for Sustainable National Development

Abstract

The Nigerian Civil service has made tremendous contributions to nation building, yet the general impression today of this expensive core of the public sector is that of widespread moral degeneration. This is manifesting in diverse discipline problems of various typologies, nature and dimensions with devastating effects on governance and developmental process. It is in the light of the above, that this study is initiated as no meaningful national development can be facilitated by any bureaucracy that is pervaded with indiscipline. The objectives of the study are to conceptualize discipline; examine and critique the institutionalized Public Service Rules (PSR) on Discipline in Chapter Four of the manual, and offer suggestions on how to manage discipline problems in the contemporary Nigerian Civil Service for national development. The study made use of both primary and secondary sources of data collection. The study showed that in spite of the PSR for checks and disciplinary actions being taken against erring officers, indiscipline still remains a great challenge in the system. The study revealed that the image of the Nigerian Civil Service that emerged in the study is neither that of a saint nor an outright villain. The environment in which it operates dictate its character, and not by its own choice or design per se. The bitter truth also is that no Civil Service the world over is perfect, though degree of indiscipline may differ. The study suggested application of due process mechanism, legal compliance, humanistic and leadership impressionist approaches.

Keywords: Discipline; Indiscipline; Nigerian Civil Service; Public Service Rules; National Development.