CIVIL SERVICE REFORMS IN NIGERIA (1960–2025): HISTORICAL TRAJECTORIES, CHALLENGES, AND PROSPECTS FOR EFFECTIVE GOVERNANCE

Abstract

Since independence in 1960, Nigeria has embarked on several civil service reforms aimed at restructuring the bureaucracy to enhance efficiency, accountability, and service delivery. These reforms were often motivated by changing political regimes, economic crises, and administrative inefficiencies. This article critically examines the trajectory of civil service reforms in Nigeria from 1960 to 2025, with a focus on their objectives, implementation strategies, outcomes, and persistent challenges. Drawing on historical analysis, secondary data, and contemporary policy documents, the study highlights key reform commissions such as the Mbanefo Commission, the Adebo and Udoji Commissions, the 1988 Dotun Philips Reforms, and post-1999 restructuring efforts including the Oronsaye Report, Treasury Single Account (TSA), and Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS). While some reforms introduced digital innovations and sought to curb corruption, others were undermined by weak political will, poor implementation, and entrenched patronage systems. The findings reveal that despite over six decades of reforms, Nigeria’s civil service continues to grapple with inefficiency, corruption, and politicization. The study argues that reforms often failed because they were reactive, regime-driven, and lacked continuity. By employing theoretical insights from Weberian bureaucracy, New Public Management (NPM), and governance theories, the paper situates Nigeria’s reform experience within broader debates on state capacity and institutional resilience. The article concludes with recommendations for future reforms, emphasizing digital transformation, meritocracy, depoliticization, and sustained monitoring mechanisms as pathways toward a more accountable and citizen-centered public service.