Human Capital Development and Service Delivery: A Study of Ojo Local Government, Lagos, Nigeria

Local government as an agent of development cannot be over-emphasized. Local government councils are created to extend the contour of governance and development to areas considered too remote to state and federal governments' influence. However, lack of concerted and sincere efforts in building and developing human capacity through adequate training as well as the creation of an atmosphere where well-developed employees are motivated with satisfying salaries, good chances of promotion, freedom to make some decisions have been a clog on the wheels of having highly developed and motivated human capitals as well as retaining them in the service. This study examines human capital development and service delivery in Ojo Local government. The survey design was used and data were analysed using chi-square at 0.05 level of significance, through SPSS 18. Findings reveal that human capital development has been neglected by local governments in Nigeria. Hence, staff that personally develop themselves often seek better employment opportunities in state, federal government or private sectors. The study concludes that inadequate human capital development, as well as strategies to retain experienced employees, constitutes the reasons behind poor service delivery in local governments. It, therefore, recommends that adequate attention should be paid to the capacity development of local government workers. Talent recognition or management, career development and training and development should be encouraged. Also, there should be an improvement in pay packages, promotion chances and other motivational packages in local governments.