Pre-colonial Era
Before the arrival of the British, Nigeria was made up of various independent kingdoms and chiefdoms, each with its own system of government. The administration of these kingdoms was typically based on traditional customs and norms, and was carried out by chiefs, elders, and other community leaders.
Colonial Era
The British colonial period in Nigeria began in the late 19th century and lasted until the country's independence in 1960. During this time, the British introduced a centralized system of government based on the Westminster model. This system included a governor-general, a legislative council, and a civil service. The civil service was responsible for implementing government policies and programs, and was staffed by both British and Nigerian officials.
Post-colonial Era
After independence, Nigeria continued to use the Westminster model of government. However, there were a number of changes made to the system, including the establishment of a federal system of government and the creation of a new constitution. The federal system of government divided the country into three regions: the Northern Region, the Eastern Region, and the Western Region. Each region had its own government, and was responsible for its own internal affairs. The federal government was responsible for matters of national importance, such as foreign policy and defense.
The new constitution also introduced a number of changes to the civil service. These changes included the Nigerianization of the civil service, the establishment of a merit-based system of recruitment, and the creation of a code of conduct for civil servants.
The evolution of public administration in Nigeria has been shaped by a number of factors, including the country's history, culture, and political system. The pre-colonial era was characterized by traditional systems of government, the colonial era saw the introduction of a centralized system of government, and the post-colonial era has been marked by a number of changes to the system of government, including the establishment of a federal system of government and the Nigerianization of the civil service.