Working without Salary during Democratic Dispensation in Nigeria: Ekiti State Civil Servants and Survival Mechanisms in the Era of Salary Inconsistence

Abstract

The philosophy of working without the payment of salaries and allowances has become a defining factor of bureaucratic governance in Nigeria. Thus, it is not uncommon for civil servants at all levels in Nigeria to go for months without being paid salaries and allowances. This paper investigates the survival mechanisms among the Ekiti State civil servants in this era of working without salary. The paper utilizes both primary and secondary sources of data. The primary data was sourced through questionnaire, while secondary data was from newspapers, magazines, textbooks, journal articles, internets documents, etc. The data was qualitatively analyzed. The paper finds out that non-payment of workers' salaries for months has become the ‘rule' rather than exception in Ekiti State in particular and Nigeria in general and is largely due to corruption, greed, selfishness, etc. on the part of the political elites. The paper notes that this has heavy deleterious consequences on the socio-economic and political life of not only the civil servants but also their dependents, majority of whom are rendered pauper. The study notes that non-payment or delay in workers' salaries and allowances have telling effects on governance and democratic consolidation as it increases incidences of corruption among the civil servants most of whom result in self-help to survive. The study therefore concludes that for good governance, democratic consolidation, and the development of Ekiti State and Nigeria, government at all levels must be responsible and responsive to the yearnings and aspirations of the people particularly in the area of regular payment of salaries and allowances. There must be concerted efforts on the part of political elites to be seen as truly representing the interest of the people by promoting accountability, transparency and probity in governance. This will encourage all officials of the state to contribute their quotas in order to engender good governance and development.