Originally published in 1968, this book is of unique value because it provides first-hand information on Nigerian government and administration in action during the 2nd half of the 20th Century. Themes discussed include the evolution, organisation and structure of the civil services; the impact of politics on administration; interest groups; the politics of modernisation and its effect on the Administration; inter-class and inter-departmental conflicts in the public services; the contribution of politicians and administrators to national economic planning and the politics and administration of public corporations. The Nigerian experience is also compared with that of francophone West African countries, and the last chapter examines the future of Nigerian administration against the background of past experience.

Part 1: The Frame of Reference 1. Introduction: The Evolution, Organisation and Structure of the Nigerian Civil Services Adebayo Adedeji 2. The Impact of Politics on Administration D. J. Murray Part 2: The Public, the Politician and the Administration 3. The Politics of Modernisation and Its Effect on the Administration James O'Connell 4. Interest Groups and Administration in Nigeria D. J. Murray 5. The Contribution of Politicians and Administrators to Nigeria's National Economic Planning A. A. Ayida Part 3: Civil Service Politics 6. Administration in Our Public Services: A Professional Officer Speaks Up on Bureaucracy T. M. Aluko 7. Bureaucratic 'politics' in Nigeria: The Problems of Inter-Class and Inter-Departmental Conflict in the Public Services - A Symposium James O'Connell Part 4: Politics and Administration in the Public Corporations 8. The Politics and Administration of Public Corporations in Nigeria Bayo Kehinde 9. The Administration of Public Corporations and the Political Factors Z. O. Okunoren Part 5: The Role of Administrators in the Political Process 10. The Role of the Administrator in the Nigerian Public Services S. O. Asabia 11. The Responsibilities of the Nigerian Senior Civil Servant in Policy Formulation Joseph F. Maloney 12. The Responsibilities of the Higher Civil Servant in Nigeria E. U. Essien-Udom 13. Alternative Administrative Arrangements: The Experience of French-Speaking West Africa John A. Ballard Part 6: Conclusion 14. The Future of Nigerian Administration Adebayo Adedeji.