Abstract:
The main purpose of this research work was to examine the Federal Character
Principle and Quota System in Nigeria and its relationship with the recruitment
exercise in the public service.
This was prompted by the fact that there is growing
disenchantment in some quarters about the implementation of the federal character
principle and quota system, which they believe leads to the violation of the merit
principle and lowering of standards in the recruitment of personnel into the public
service which will serve as a way of recruiting and promoting less competent staff
into the service resulting inevitably to poor performance.
Therefore, the research
recommended that the application of merit system or meritocracy should become
the Linchpin in the recruitment of
personnel into the Nigerian public service in
order not to endanger standards and professionalism.
It was also recommended
that there is the need to strike a balance between the application of federal
character principle, quota system and the Merit principle in order to enhance the
efficiency and effectiveness of the service, and for equity, unity and fairplay to
prevail in the country.
