Manpower Recruitment Challenges in the Public Sector: Examining Kogi Recruitment Exercise from 2015-2019

Abstract

This paper investigates challenges in human resource utilization in the public sector of Kogi State, Nigeria, from 2015 to 2019. Although existing scholarship on Nigerian public-sector recruitment primarily addresses the federal level or offers generalized analyses, there remains a notable lack of in-depth qualitative research on state-level dynamics. This study addresses this gap through a case-based analysis of recruitment deficiencies in Kogi State, drawing on 25 in-depth interviews with government officials, political appointees, journalists, civil society representatives, and both successful and unsuccessful job applicants. Purposive sampling ensured representation across roles, while snowball sampling facilitated access to less visible perspectives. Efforts were made to ensure diversity in gender, ethnicity, and professional background. The findings indicate pervasive corruption within the employment system, with recruitment policies advancing the self-interests of dominant political actors through practices such as the "godfather's veto" and pronounced nepotism. Institutionalized rules have been progressively undermined by weak enforcement, resulting in a workforce of underqualified and demoralized civil servants and diminishing public trust. The study situates these findings within broader governance failures and recommends centralized electronic filing for applications, administrative independence for the Civil Service Commission, and the establishment of a dedicated enforcement body to support merit-based reform. Limitations include the modest sample size and reliance on self-reported accounts, which may introduce recall or response bias.