Zonal Consideration and Recruitment Exercise in Nigerian Organizations: A Study of Some Selected Ministries

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume III, Issue X, October 2019 | ISSN 2454–6186

Zonal Consideration and Recruitment Exercise in Nigerian Organizations: A Study of Some Selected Ministries

Anyaoha, Okechukwu*, Umeh, Nkiru Justina

Imo State University, Nigeria
*Corresponding Author

Abstract: – Zonal consideration appears to be a strong factor in the recruitment of workers in the Nigeria Civil Service. This practice which seems to be a method for political leaders to gratify their supporters and party stalwarts, appears to portend danger for the Nigerian civil service. This study therefore examines the impact of zonal consideration on recruitment exercise in some Nigerian organizations. For the purpose of this study, a research hypothesis was formulated to guide the study. The study utilized the survey research design, simple random and stratified sampling techniques. A sample size of 420 Civil Servants from some selected Ministries in Imo State Civil Service was used. Data for the study were collected through questionnaire, interview and secondary sources. The data gathered were analyzed using tabular modes of presentation including frequencies and percentage, while the Chi-square (X2) was used to test the hypothesis. The findings showed that zonal consideration affected workers recruitment in Imo State Civil Service, thereby reducing the efficiency of the organizations. The study recommended that Imo State Civil Service must purge itself from the use of zonal consideration in workers recruitment and the offenders punished. The study further recommended that recruitment examination should be incorporated into recruitment exercise so as to employ the best hands, and less emphasis on the recruitment of workers based on political party loyalism because this will politicize the working environment.

Key words: Zonal consideration, primordial issues, recruitment, Federal Character

I. INTRODUCTION

Zonal consideration appears to be a strong factor in the recruitment of workers in the Nigeria Civil Service. This factor is a clear departure from meritocracy which is the basic criteria for employment into the Civil Service all over the world. This practice which seems to be a method for political leaders to gratify their supporters and party stalwarts, appears to portend danger for the Nigerian civil service. This factor in recruitment has permeated recruitment into the Civil Service at state level in Nigeria. Recruitment process in Imo State Civil Service seems to lack merit, thereby making it difficult to select the best qualified and competent staff. This anomaly created by this primordial criterion can undermine the quest for efficiency which is the hallmark of productivity in every formal organization and administration.

Read More