Research Journal of Business and Economic Management

The seeming failure of public service in Nigeria is demonstrated by a series of reforms introduced by successive governments to redefine and reinvigorate it. While some of these reforms were internal, some were externally induced. The climax of such reform initiatives in contemporary democratic Nigeria. There is a need to keep up with the growing demands of governance and find the best way to improve efficiency and productivity in Nigerian public service. In response to the demands of environmental dynamics, organizations strive to cope with or manage change. The main objective of the study is to assess the role of public service in steering national development. The paper is hinged on institutional theory as its theoretical framework. Data for the study were collected from secondary sources (documents) such as textbooks, journals, bulletins, governmental publications, and internet materials, while analysis was done qualitatively. Some of the findings are that Nigerian public service plays an advisory role, formulates policy and implements it, and provides quality service to achieve national development. Furthermore, the Nigerian Public service is faced with challenges such as politicization of public service, lack of motivation, nepotism, inadequate training, and staff development. The paper recommended that training and retraining of staff should be the top priority of the government and also factors responsible for the increasing volume of crime and insecurity in Nigeria should be stopped. The government should take urgent steps to reorient Nigerians on the need to be patriotic, sincere, hardworking, and committed to the goal of national development.