Abstract

In an effort to ensure efficiency and effectiveness in service delivery, public policy regulatory mechanisms are utilised in ensuring control of civil servants and promote accountability in service delivery. This paper presents an overview of civil service in Nigeria, appraisal of the mechanisms of control and the effectiveness of the civil service system. The paper utilized documentary analysis to unveil that civil service delivery is ineffective and inefficient in Nigeria, and the public policy regulatory mechanisms established to ensure control and accountability have been failing due to incessant corruption across the governmental units. It therefore concludes that corruption must be drastically minimized if efficiency and effectiveness in the civil service must be attained. The study therefore recommended for strict anti-corruption mechanisms that can deter corruption in the civil service system, in addition to improved capacity for civil servants and minimal political interference.