Representative Bureaucracy and the Challenges of Diversity Management in Nigeria

The adoption and application of Representative bureaucracy in Nigeria’s public administrative system arose out of the need to manage its diverse populace, to achieve national integration and sustainable development. However the above purpose has not been achieved over the years, thus, this study attempts to examine representative bureaucracy as a tool of diversity management in Nigeria public service, to achieve national integration, nation building and sustainable development. The study utilized the secondary method of data collection and found that the major challenges in diversity management through the application of representative bureaucracy in Nigeria are Lack of meritocracy and heavy presence of ethnocentrism in the public sector. It however, recommended that the principle of merit should be applied in public service employment and appointment as well as admissions into Nigeria tertiary institutions and equal opportunity for all irrespective of ethnic or religious affiliation.

Keywords: Representative Bureaucracy; Federal Character Principle; Public Administration, Nigeria and Diversity Management.