Effect of Nepotism on Productivity among Public Servants in Nigeria

The study aimed to investigate the impact of nepotism on the productivity of public servants within Nigeria's public sector, with specific objectives including the examination of nepotism's effects on productivity, analysis of favouritism's influence on productivity, exploration of cronyism's impact on productivity, and assessment of the relationship between close network ties and effective teamwork in administrative policy. Employing a quantitative research design, data collection involved the administration of a questionnaire featuring closed-ended questions distributed via an online survey using Google Forms. Hypotheses were tested through Pearson correlation coefficient analysis. The findings indicated a positive correlation between nepotism and productivity, as well as between favouritism and productivity within Nigeria's public sector. Additionally, a weak positive correlation was observed between cronyism and productivity, alongside a similar correlation between close network ties and effective teamwork in administrative policy. The research concluded that nepotism significantly influences public servants' productivity within Nigeria's public sector. Recommendations stemming from these findings include the establishment of transparent recruiting and promotion procedures grounded in merit and qualifications, the provision of comprehensive training and development opportunities for all employees, and promotion of diversity and inclusion in the workplace to mitigate nepotism and foster fairness.