CHALLENGES OF REWARDS SYSTEM ON EMPLOYEES’ PERFORMANCE IN THE NIGERIA CIVIL SERVICE: EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE FROM THE LAGOS STATE CIVIL SERVICE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Rewards play an important role in boosting employees’ performances in an organisation. The management of a rewards system has the potency of stimulating the interest of the employees and directing them towards accomplishing organisational goals. Despite the recognition and implementation of the rewards system in the civil service, employees’ performances have been highly criticized. Data were gathered from 275 respondents across the ministries in Civil Service through the use of questionnaire as well as the conduct of interview session. The findings revealed that leadership style, government policies, inability to pay, inadequate training, rewards strategies, bargaining power of trade union and strict organisational culture were challenges affecting effective management of rewards system. This study concluded that the administration of rewards system in the Nigerian public service has been poorly managed as it has been highly characterised by rewarding loyalty, nepotism, favouritism and godfatherism. This study therefore recommended a well-structured inclusive mechanism to encourage employee’s participation in the service.