Nepotism and Public Service Delivery in Anambra State: A Critical Analysis

Abstract

This study analyzed the effect of nepotism on public service delivery in Anambra state.. The specific objectives were to; determine the effect of nepotistic recruitment, preferential promotion and nepotistic appointments on public service delivery in Anambra state. This study is anchored on the Patron-Client Theory,. Data were generated through primary sources. The method of data collection was the questionnaire which was administered randomly among the staff of the selected ministries. The population of the study was three thousand four hundred and seventy-two (3472). The sample size of the study was three hundred and fifty-eight (358) determined through taro yamane formula. Threee hundred and thirty-seven (337) copies of questionnaire were retrieved. The hypotheses were tested using multiple regression analysis method at 0.05% level of significance. Findings from the study revealed that, Nepotistic recruitment has no significant effect on public service delivery in Anambra State, preferential promotion has no significant effect on public service delivery in Anambra State and Nepotistic appointments have no significant effect on public service delivery in Anambra State. The study concludes that nepotism remains an important institutional issue that can undermine effective public service delivery when it influences recruitment, promotion and appointment decisions. The study recommended that Government and relevant public service authorities should ensure that recruitment is based strictly on qualifications, competence, experience and performance rather than family relationships or personal connections. Public servants should be promoted according to clearly defined criteria such as performance, qualifications, experience, competence and demonstrated leadership ability.