Enhancing Public Sector Performance in Developmental State in Nigeria : Between Rhetoric and Reality

This article examines the role of public services in a developmental state with specific reference to Nigeria. The dysfunction of the traditional paradigm of public administration and bureaucracy, which has made it grossly inadequate in realising the developmental drives in Nigeria, was identified. The article is qualitative in nature relying on secondary sources of data. It explores Nigeria's development state challenges from a public service capacity perspective. It contends that Nigeria has inefficient public service which has the capacity to set major development objectives and ensure service delivery consistency. The article argues that an efficient public service is a prerequisite to the attainment of a developmental state growth in any developing country. The article, therefore, suggests counteractive action for the effective performance of the public service towards the realisation of a developmental state for sustainability.