Political Economy of Manpower Development and Utilization in the Nigerian Local Government System

Prof. Nnanta N. Elekwa; Eme; Okechukwu Innocent; Dr. Iheanacho Emmanuel

Volume : IV, Issue : II, February - 2015

Political Economy of Manpower Development and Utilization in the Nigerian Local Government System

Prof. Nnanta N. Elekwa, Eme, Okechukwu Innocent, Dr. Iheanacho Emmanuel

Abstract :

Across the world today, there is a growing recognition of the indispensable role of human capital in the attainment of organizational goals. This is a clear departure from an earlier classical economic notion that tends to equate organizational success with the amount of capital inputs. This work examines the link between human resources development and utilization in the Nigerian Local Government Council. The methodology adopted is descriptive and analytical and relied on the use of documents and the technique of content analysis as major means of data generation. The major findings were that over 90% of the staff have not benefited from Local Government training programmes; that the training programs do not mirror staff training needs, that selection of staff for participation in programs of development is influenced by primordial factors such as party politics and relationships. Based on the research, the following recommendations were made, that concerted efforts should be made to expose more staff to training opportunities and also to ensure that the training programmes are based on staff training needs after an objective staff performance appraisal and job analysis. In utilizing the Marxian instrumentalist theory as an analytical guide, this study demonstrates that the cardinal objective of engaging in human resources development programmes in the Local Government Council is not necessarily to imbue the staff with the requisite skills and finesse to carry out their daily responsibilities but to safeguard and promote the vested interest of the ruling class.