Abstract

Institutions are established to accomplish specified goals. To achieve these goals, the human resource is seen as one of the most crucial factors, without which the goals are as good as dead. This study empirically examined strategies for employee recruitment, retention and performance in the Federal civil service (FCS) of Nigeria. To achieve the objectives of the study, questionnaires were administered to civil servants at the Office of the Head of the civil service of Nigeria and structured interview was carried out with civil servants at the FCS Commission, Abuja. The study adopted the chi-square analytical technique to analyze the variables. The results showed that the strategies for employee recruitment into the civil service are mainly based on Federal character principle (equal representation of people from different sections of the country), merit, political consideration and government discretion. In terms of strategies for employee retention, the study found that the service lagged behind in providing adequate incentives to retain its workforce for performance compared to what is obtainable in the private sector. It therefore recommends that while Federal character principle may be necessary as strategy for employee recruitment into the FCS because of Nigeria’s multicultural, ethnic and religious diversity, its application should however be carried out to reflect merit within the principle. In addition, appropriate incentives should be provided to retain competent employees for performance.

Key words: Federal civil service of Nigeria, strategies, employee recruitment, retention, performance.