Utopianism in Civil Service Ethics: The Osun State Experience

Abstract

The study examined the achievability of civil service ethics among the civil servants of Osun State, Southwestern Nigeria. Both primary and secondary data were used for the study. Descriptive research design of the ex-post- facto type was used for the research. A multi- stage sampling technique was used to select the respondents. A sample of 477 comprising 279 males and 198 females was proportionally drawn from four major ministries. Data were collected using Civil Service Ethics Questionnaire while 402 copies of the questionnaire administered were found usable. The analysis of data was done using simple percentages and analytical weighted mean. Findings showed that meritocracy was achievable among the respondents. However, anonymity, political neutrality, and transparency as civil service ethics were not achievable among the study sample. The study concluded that institutional and social/human factors made the complete achievability of civil service ethics practically impossible in Osun State, Southwestern Nigeria.

Key Words: Civil Service, Utopianism, Ethics, Civil Service Ethics