By Dr Ibilola Amao

A young Nigerian graduate is offered a job by two organisations in Nigeria, government and a multinational; he makes a very easy choice in favour of the multinational. I would have thought that the youth will have had a struggle deciding which to choose but I am wrong.

The young professional resolves to pursue his career with a multinational because he is guaranteed (an exciting career path, attractive compensation, meritous promotion and medium to long-term job security and satisfaction).

As a Recruitment Consultant, involved in interviewing, Career Guidance and Counselling, as well as Youth Empowerment, it bothers me that our youths are no longer happy to consider a job with government as an opportunity to serve ones nation for so many reasons.

I am asked, why work hard, slug it out and give your utmost best to a corporation that kicks out, flushes out or frustrates out its best? Where in this world do people give over 15 years of continuous service let alone 25 or 30+ years and rather than get rewarded by a meritous or long service award you get kicked out, humiliated and have your name splashed on the front pages of the dailies and then published on the internet for being fired or retired “with immediate effect”?

The Federal Government of Nigeria is going to have to take merit and long service as well as commensurate reward very seriously if our state owned organisations and Parastatals do not want to end up with a bunch of crooked-mediocre providing service because sensible and reasonable professionals are no longer convinced that Government is worth working for.

There is a need to respect and appreciate experience, capabilities and competencies, employ and retain the best, promote merit and treat talent with honour and dignity. It is only then that our first eleven, best graduates and competent professionals will show preference for serving government without having any ulterior motive.

The Nigerian government has been accused both locally and internationally of its many vices which include a lack of transparency and accountability in many of its most strategic businesses and operations. Allegations of non- meritous contract award, inflation of contract sums, misappropriation of funds and a lack of evidence of transparency and integrity in the sale of Nigerian crude oil on the spot market, refining of crude locally and the importation of finished products has plagued government in various accusations in the public domain.

The excuse for corruption may lie in the fact that the best hands have not been groomed as patriotic citizens.Public officers have not been empowered enough, given the assurance of a glorious and worthwhile future with adequate compensation for judiciously managing the huge budget and account of the nations petroleum resources, guaranteed long service award and a celebrated retirement with a handsome retirement package.

It is hoped that decision makers in Government will take time to ponder on the fact that a ministry such as National Petroleum Assets Management Agency (NAPAMA), National Petroleum Company of Nigeria (NPCN or NAPCON) or a corporation is as good as its human resources and no manner or quantity of restructuring can transform a Nation with frustrated, demoralised and disenchanted work force.

Government needs to rethink its human resource strategies to ensure that the best professionals and graduates see choosing to serve in the public sector. Our best graduates and Nigerian professionals both local and in diaspora must be attracted to serve government if we must move forward as a nation.

There is absolute need to draw a line no matter how thin between political appointees and career employees who are professionals in their respective fields. Career technocrats/professionals should not be cowed down by political appointees and frustrated out prematurely.

They should be given leading roles to play in the strategic thinking, conceptualization, planning and execution of infrastructures needed for the industrial and economic transformation of the nation.