SUCCESSION MANAGEMENT AND SERVICE DELIVERY IN PUBLIC SECTOR IN NIGERIA: A FOCUS ON EDO SOUTH SENATORIAL DISTRICT LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF EDO STATE, NIGERIA (2016-2020)

Abstract

The issue of Succession management and service delivery in the Nigeria local government Administration I  s considered by researchers and practitioners as a yard stick for determining success and continuity in service delivery to the people. This matter has not been given adequate attention in recent times by extant studies. Succession management in public organizations, is desired to reposition the public sector for effective and efficient service delivery and good governance.This research work sought to bring to light the need for local government to pay attention to the succession management so as to enhance continuity in service delivery. Its specific objectives were to determine the influence of top political leaders support, identification and preparation of potential successor, challenges and strategies for succession management on politicians in relation to service delivery. The study employed field survey type of research. The total population was 616 political leaders from seven local government areas in Edo South Senatorial District, while 243 formed the sample size. It employed both primary and secondary sources. The instruments used were questionnaire administration and personal interview. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics, principal component factor and least square regression method. Having analyzed and tested various hypotheses, the study revealed that top political leaders support for succession management has significant positive relationship with service delivery in local government area. It also found that political leader’s identification and preparation for succession management have no significant influence, but has positive relationship with service delivery in local government areas. The study therefore concluded and recommended that government should encourage succession management in order to enhance service delivery to the people in local government area of Edo state and Nigeria in general