CIVIL SERVICE REFORMS AND THE CHALLENGES OF MODERN ERA IN KATSINA STATE, 1987–2015

Abstract

Reforms are necessary in order to ensure effective service delivery and to promote professionalism. Likewise, there are reforms without challenges. It is against this backdrop that paper through the adoption of historical methodology examines civil service reforms and the challenges of the modern era in Katsina state from 1987 when Katsina was created from old Kaduna State and then to 2015 which marked the emergence of All Progressive Congress (APC) as the opposition government to Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) which ruled the states for sixteen years (1999–2015). The paper argues that civil service in Katsina state since its creation has undergone a series of administrative and structural reforms under the military and civilian government to ensure effective transformation. Yet some of the reforms implemented instead of enhancing growth and development had rather cripple staff/human resources development, professionalism, accountability, and transparency. Especially the inability to implement a full minimum wage scheme and compulsory retirement/retrenchment of staff without prompt and adequate payment of gratuities and or pension. This coupled with the politicization of the Permanent Secretary Office and other Principal Officers in the civil service. In fact, despite the reforms , such as the development of infrastructure, production of manpower through expansion and development of institutions, massive training and welfare packages. The state civil service and the civil servants have become a shadow of its former