A.I. MUSTAPHA

This research work seek to examine the impact of manpower development and public sector productivity; (A case study of Edo State Civil Service). The study made use of questionnaire to obtain data from respondent. Four objectives were raised for the study. The study found that that lack of technical know how to manage the equipment resulted to poor performance in the public sector and thus recommend that The local government needs to develop the employee manpower within the
framework of a comprehensive, ongoing, and consistent employee manpower development program. This quality of employee manpower program is essential to keep the staff motivated about learning new concepts and their departments profitable.

This study examined the impact of Value Added Tax (VAT) policies on the growth of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State. The research was carried out to evaluate the level of VAT compliance
among SMEs, determine the relationship between VAT policy and profitability, assess the administrative burden of VAT on operational efficiency, and analyze the perception of SME operators regarding VAT and business sustainability. The study
adopted a descriptive and inferential research design. Data were collected through structured questionnaires distributed via Google Forms and face-to-face administration, with 300 valid responses analyzed using SPSS Version 25. Analytical
tools such as descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, multiple regression, and Chi- square tests were employed to test the hypotheses. Findings revealed a significant positive relationship between VAT compliance and SME growth, indicating that firms
with higher compliance levels tend to perform better in the long run. VAT policies were found to have a considerable impact on profitability and operational efficiency, while administrative challenges remained a major constraint to full compliance. Furthermore, the study showed that SMEs’ perception of VAT significantly affects their willingness to comply and sustain business operations. The study concluded that VAT can enhance SME growth if well managed and supported by simplified tax administration. It recommended that government agencies improve tax education, reduce compliance costs, and enhance digital tax systems to encourage broader SME participation in the VAT scheme.

This study investigates the merit-based recruitment process and its effect on job performance in the Edo State Civil Service Commission (ESCSC). The problem stems from political interference, favoritism, and poor recruitment practices that hinder efficiency and fairness. The study aims to assess the level of merit-based recruitment, identify challenges, and suggest improvement strategies. Anchored on the Attraction- Selection-Attrition (ASA) theory, a survey design was adopted. Data were collected from fifty-six (56) staff using questionnaires and analyzed with descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation. Findings revealed that merit-based recruitment is practiced and positively influences employee performance, though hindered by nepotism, political influence, inadequate ICT tools, and funding. The study concludes that strengthening meritocracy improves efficiency and transparency. It recommends enforcing anti-nepotism policies, training recruitment officers, adopting ICT tools, establishing independent oversight committees, and increasing budgetary support to enhance job performance in the Edo State Civil Service.

The study examined the impact of staff training on non-academic staff performance in the University of Benin (UNIBEN) within the period of 2010 – 2022. The objectives of the study include the following: to examine the extent to which staff training impact on non – academic staff of the University of Benin, to investigate if training programmes motivate non – academic staff for optimal performance in UNIBEN, to identify the challenges facing non – academic staff training towards increased performance in UNIBEN, and to proffer solutions to the challenges facing non –academic staff training towards increased performance in UNIBEN. The study adopted survey research design. According to the Academic Planning Division of the University of Benin, (2021), the population of the non - academic staff of the University of Benin as at 2021 stands at 5432. The study selected four departments from the non-academic side of the University of Benin. These departments include Bursary, Exams and Records, Registry and Library of which 30 respondents were sampled from each department. The instrument used for the collection of data was the questionnaire which was administered to the study sampled respondents. The data collected was analyzed using simple percentage and chi square analytical method to test the hypotheses generated for the study. The study discovered amongst others that, Training has an impact on non-academic staff performance in Uniben. Furthermore, policy recommendations were adopted which include amongst others that effective trainings should be organized regularly and undertaken.