Manpower Training and Productivity in the Nigerian Public Sector: An Appraisal and Human Capital Discourse

This paper examines the impact of manpower training on productivity in the Nigerian public sector, using the Human Capital Theory as framework of analyses. With a reliance on secondary data backed by textual analysis, the paper observed that deficient and inadequate skill acquisition are traceable to the predominance of traditional learning styles and techniques upon which training processes and school system are anchored in Nigeria. Findings show that funding inadequacies, poor coordination of training activities, faulty training needs assessment and inappropriate methodology for delivering training programmes are major impediments to public sector productivity. It recommends that definite and properly coordinated training needs/programmes targeted at continuous improvement of employees‟productivity in the Nigerian public sector should be put in place. Merit based selection criteria and techniques anchored on the adoption of qualitative tools and adequate funding holds the key to a productive public sector in Nigeria. Other suggestions proffered are also capable of redressing the impediments to manpower training and productivity in the public bureaucracy in Nigeria