IMPLEMENTATION OF FEDERAL CHARACTER PRINCIPLE: FOCUS ON RECRUITMENT AND PROMOTION IN THE UNIVERSITY OF ABUJA TEACHING HOSPITAL, ABUJA, NIGERIA.

Abstract

This study evaluated the implementation of Federal Character principle with focus on recruitment and selection exercises at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH), Abuja, Nigeria. The primary purpose of the research was to determine the degree to
which the federal character principle was adhered to during recruitment and promotion at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH). The study employed a survey design whereby relevant information were gotten from distributed questionnaire and journals, books, official documents, periodicals and internet articles. Using Taro Yarmane's statistical sample size instrument, 89 individuals were selected from a total population of 2,742. Data collected through the questionnaire were arranged in cumulative frequency tables while mean average and the Chi-square statistical tool were used to analyse the data and test the hypotheses (using SPSS version 23). The study findings revealed that recruitment and promotion processes at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital through the federal character principle is poorly implemented and this has been as a result of poor feedback mechanisms, poorly trained personnel and favouritism. The federal character principle sacrifices merit for quota and political patronage syndrome, which led to the marginalisation of some ethnic groups. This has remained a significant obstacle for the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital's recruitment and promotion efforts. The study recommended that the management of UATH in collaboration with the Federal Character Commission should ensure strict compliance to fair representation of applicants in the recruitment and promotion process by publishing recruits or appointees for public knowledge. Also, efficient feedback mechanism on recruitment and promotion process should be implemented and personnel in charge of recruitment and promotion should be adequately trained so as to promote efficiency in the recruitment and promotion in the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital.