RHEMA UNIVERSITY JOURNAL OF MANAGEMENT AND SOCIAL SCIENCES

INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITY AND QUALITY OF SERVICE DELIVERY IN NIGERIAN LOCAL GOVERNMENTS

KELECHI CHARLES NWACHUKWU, Ph.D, OKOYE, NWAMAKA JANE FRANCES, Ph.D, OSUEBI KENNETH TASIE, Ph.D, FRANKLINE C.S.A OKEKE, Ph.D
January 29, 2026

Abstract

This study investigates the relationship between institutional capacity and service delivery quality in Nigerian local governments, with a focus on assessing the adequacy of human resources, administrative structures, and technical skills. The research employed a survey design, collecting data from 222 local government officials across various regions in Nigeria. The findings revealed that the majority of respondents (39.19%) considered human resources to be inadequate, and 42.34% viewed administrative structures as inefficient. Furthermore, 33.33% of respondents believed that technical skills had a low impact on the quality of service delivery, and 12.61% felt that institutional capacity had no influence on service effectiveness. In terms of challenges, inadequate funding (44.14%) was identified as the most significant barrier to institutional performance, followed by political interference (27.03%) and the lack of skilled personnel (18.92%). To address these issues, respondents recommended strategies such as increased training and capacity building (45.95%), improved financial management (30.63%), and the reduction of political interference (15.32%). The study concludes that strengthening human resources, improving administrative efficiency, and securing adequate funding are essential for enhancing local government service delivery. These findings provide critical insights into the challenges facing Nigerian local governments and offer practical recommendations for improving institutional capacity and governance.

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RHEMA UNIVERSITY JOURNAL OF MANAGEMENT AND SOCIAL SCIENCES

Published in RHEMA UNIVERSITY JOURNAL OF MANAGEMENT AND SOCIAL SCIENCES

ISSN: 979-37999

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