.A.I. MUSTAPHA

The study was to critically analyse the impact of the national housing policy on how the masses have been able to benefit from the several housing policies over the years, to measure up the level up of efficiency and effectiveness of the housing fund policy and recommended solutions on how the government can make long lasting solutions to the housing problem in Ovia North Local Government Area of Edo State. The cross sectional research design was basically be adopted for this study. This design is adopted and considered appropriate because it facilitates the collection of original data from the respondent. The study was conducted in Ovia North-East is a Local Government Area of Edo State. A total number of three hundred and eighty four (384) respondents was used for the study. Data collected or generated from the questionnaire will be analyzed using the simple percentages, mean and ANOVA techniques via the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) 24.0. This study recommends that the government should see into making acquisition and titling of land more friendly as this would enable developers to invest more in housing development, the major aim of housing policy is to solve housing problems. In order to achieve this, there is the necessity to enhance the workability of the policy, in considering the low income earners, local building materials should be encouraged and the study recommend the implementation of income-based housing programs specifically tailored to low-income civil servants.

This study assessed in-service training and employee retention in the Edo state civil service, using three selected ministries as case study. The objectives of the study were to examine the extent to which in-service training has enhanced employee retention in the Edo state civil service; investigate the effect of in- service training on employee salaries in the Edo state civil service; to analyze how training has impacted on career progression of civil servants in Edo state civil service. The study adopted the social exchange theory as its theoretical framework of analysis. The survey research design was adopted for the methodology and a five-point likert scale structured questionnaire was the instrument for data collection. Descriptive frequency and percentages was used to present the responses of respondents while the Chi-Square (X 2) and the Pearson's Contingency Coefficient statistical tool were utilized in the analysis of data. The study revealed that the retention of employees in the Edo state civil service is affected by in-service training. It also revealed that in-service training contributes to improved work culture in the Edo state civil service. Based on these findings, it was recommended that the personnel management of the Edo state civil service should conduct regular needs assessment to identify training gaps and employee development priorities within the organization. Management should provide a variety of training options, including workshops, seminars, online courses, and on-the-job training, to cater to different learning styles and preference