Public Sector Administration Capacity and Socio-economic Development: An Assessment of Selected Ministries, Departments and Agencies in Delta State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined Public Sector Administration Capacity and Socio-Economic Development: An Assessment of Selected Ministries, Departments and Agencies in Delta State, Nigeria. The study specifically sought to determine the effect of human resource capacity on socio-economic development of selected Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in Delta State, Nigeria, and ascertain the effect of institutional/organisational capacity on socio-economic development of selected MDAs in Delta State, Nigeria. A quantitative research approach and cross-sectional survey design were adopted. The population comprised personnel of selected MDAs in Delta State, while a sample size of 367 respondents was determined for the study. Data were collected using a structured five-point Likert-scale questionnaire and analysed using descriptive statistics, Cronbach’s alpha, Pearson Product-Moment Correlation and multiple regression analysis. The findings revealed that human resource capacity had a significant positive effect on socio-economic development (r = 0.684, β = .332, t = 6.91, p < .001). Similarly, institutional/organisational capacity had a significant positive effect on socio-economic development (r = 0.721, β = 0.506, t = 10.49, p < .001). The multiple regression model further indicated that human resource capacity and institutional/organisational capacity jointly explained 59.2% (R² = 0.592) of the variation in socio-economic development, while the overall model was statistically significant (F = 254.01, p < .001). The study concluded that effective human resources and functional institutional structures are important components of public-sector administration capacity for enhancing socio-economic development in Delta State. It recommended that the Delta State Government and management of the selected MDAs should strengthen continuous staff training, merit-based recruitment and deployment, organisational restructuring, inter-agency coordination, accountability, digital administration and performance monitoring. These measures would enhance administrative effectiveness, improve public-service delivery and strengthen the contribution of MDAs to socio-economic development.