NEPOTISM, PUBLIC SECTOR RECRUITMENT AND ORGANISATIONAL PRODUCTIVITY IN THE UNIVERSITY OF BENIN (2010-2020)

ABSTRACT

The study was designed to examine nepotism in the recruitment process and its implications on employees’ job productivity in the context of University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State. The objectives of the study include the following: To examine the impacts of nepotism in the recruitment process of workforce in the University of Benin (UNIBEN) vis a vis organizational productivity, to investigate the factors leading to nepotism in the recruitment process at UNIBEN and its relationship to organizational productivity, to examine the challenges in the recruitment process at UNIBEN vis a vis organizational productivity and to proffer viable recommendations to issue of nepotism in the recruitment process in UNIBEN. The study adopted survey research design. The population of study of this research is made up of non-academic staffs of the University of Benin, Edo state. The sample size of this study is respondents drawn from four departments of the University of Benin, Edo state. The instrument used for the collection of data was the questionnaire which was administered to the study sampled respondents. Out of the 600 questionnaires distributed, 583 copies were retrieved. The data collected was analyzed using simple percentage and chi square analytical method to test the hypotheses generated for the study. The study discovered amongst others that, Nepotism in the recruitment process affected organizational productivity in Uniben. More so, the study reveals that tribal sentiments lead to poor performance in Uniben and godfatherism in the recruitment process leads to indiscipline. Furthermore, policy recommendations were adopted which include amongst others that, the recruitment process should be based strictly on merit and competence.