Emergence of Private Sector in The Provision of Social Services in Nigeria: Moving Social Services Beyond Government

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume V, Issue VIII, August 2021 | ISSN 2454–6186

Emergence of Private Sector in The Provision of Social Services in Nigeria: Moving Social Services Beyond Government

Randy Oyovwevotu Sakpere
Department of Public Administration,
Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife, Nigeria

Abstract: The inability of various levels of government in Nigeria to fulfil their obligations in the provision of social services has resulted in the emergence of the private sector as an active participant in the delivery of social services in Nigeria. Even though the provision of social services has historically been considered exclusively state function, the 1990s saw the emergence of the private sector involvement in the provision of social services. This paper examines the role of the private sector as either a partner or a separate entity in delivering social services in Nigeria and assess the effect of private sector on the provision of social services. Data for this study were drawn from questionnaire, interviews and observation obtained from non-governmental organizations (NGOs), civil societies (CSOs), community based organisations (CBOs) and local and state Governments’ agencies saddled with provision of social services in the country. The results showed that the private sector is emerging as important players and is increasingly providing social services. The results also revealed increasing role of the private sector in the management and delivery of social services in Nigeria. The paper concluded that a framework for further cooperation will promote public-private partnership (PPP) in delivering social services in Nigeria.

Key words: Private sector, Provision, Social services, Public-Private Partnership, Participation.

I. INTRODUCTION

Immediately after the second world war, most governments in the developed and developing countries delegated delivery of social services to public sector/government departments and state owned enterprises (Grimsey, 2002; Harris 2003). Delivery of social services all over Europe was wholly the function of the state up to the 1970s. Afterwards, most countries in Europe have expanded the role of the private sector to include delivery of certain services that was once the traditional role of government (Eurofound, 2015). This action was necessitated by the need to enhance quality, accessibility and efficiency of social services. However, in Africa and especially Sub-Saharan Africa, provision of social services is still majorly the responsibility of government, unlike the current practice in Europe resulting in poor service delivery as a result of poor implementation.

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