International Journal of Management, Social Sciences, Peace and Conflict Studies (IJMSSPCS), Vol.4 No.3 September, 2021; p.g. 79 - 93; ISSN: 2682-6135 IMPLICATIONS OF POLITICS ON RECRUITMENT INTO STATE CIVIL SERVICE IN NIGERIA 79 IMPLICATIONS OF POLITICS ON RECRUITMENT INTO STATE CIVIL SERVICE IN NIGERIA ADE SHAMSUDEEN DOSUNMU (PhD) Department of Political Science, University of Lagos (UNILAG) B.Sc.(Hons.) Sociology, U.I, Ibadan,1988; M.Sc. Industrial Sociology, UNILAG; Ph.D Public Administration, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun state, Nigeria & LAMIDI, KAZEEM OYEDELE (PhD) Department of Local Government Studies Faculty of Administration Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife, Nigeria ABSTRACT This paper focuses on the impact of politics in civil service and its influence on staff recruitment and selection exercise, using Ondo state as a case study. Data were drawn from secondary sources. It hinges the phenomena on spoil system theory; and provides a pragmatic perspective on the subject matter by analyzing the encompassing factors in recruitment process vis-à-vis the Nigerian experience. It further interplays politics on the recruitment process, thus showcasing consequences of politics on recruitment and selection putting Ondo state in perspective. The paper concludes that there is high level of political manipulation and interference by the political elites in the selection and appointment of staff into the civil service. Keywords: Politics, Recruitment, Corruption, Staff performance. Introduction The centrality of recruitment and selection exercise in the Nigerian civil service cannot be overemphasized. It lies at the heart of the problem of personnel administration (Basu, 1994). In public organization the responsibility for the recruitment and selection is shared function between the personnel department and the line managers. It is instructive to note that the emphasis of the civil service is on uniformity, standardization and transparency in the recruitment and selection processes. In spite of the foregoing, it has become an apparent practical reality that the Nigerian civil service recruitment and selection exercise has been politicized with consequential and dysfunctional effects on the institutional and employee enhanced productivity, quality decisions, and programme exercise and quality public service delivery (Ejumodo, 2011). Politics of the recruitment according to Osakwe (2007) is the recruitment and selection that are based on political patronage or determined by the political class. It is the use of other criteria other than than merit, qualification and technical know-how in the recruitment and selection process. To Omeje and Ndukwe (2009), politicization of recruitment is the