MINIMUM WAGE IMPLEMENTATION AND SERVICE DELIVERY IN THE NIGERIAN CIVIL SERVICE: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF SOUTH EAST STATES (2000- 2014).

SOURCE:

Faculty: Management Sciences
Department: Public Administration

CONTRIBUTORS:

Onyekwelu, R. U.
Okoye, J. C.

ABSTRACT:

Minimum wage implementation in Nigeria has been a hotly debated issue at both academic and political levels. However, little attention has been paid to the effect of minimum wage implementation on service delivery. This study examined the effect of minimum wage implementation on service delivery in the civil service of the South East States. The underlying motive for the study is the spate of incessant strikes and other related acts that normally trail minimum wage implementation and the attendant consequences of such acts on service delivery. Four objectives and hypotheses guided the study. The study adopted survey research method and the theoretical framework anchored on Equity theory propounded by John Stacy Adams. The data generated for the study were presented and analysed using descriptive statistics and the formulated hypotheses were tested using multiple regression analyses of the ordinary least square. Findings of the study showed that there is a significant relationship between the levels of minimum wage implementation and the determination of South East governments to offer quality services in the civil service of their states and that the level of minimum wage implementation has significant effect on the quality of service delivery, service culture as well as a significant relationship with employee engagement in the civil service of the five South East states. To ensure the enthronement of service culture, employee commitment in the civil service and improved service delivery, there is need to build into minimum wage Acts, clauses that will make room for both a time frame for reviews and automatic reviews of the minimum wage. Government should also look beyond minimum wage payments to explore other ways of motivating the civil servants.