The Interference of Politicians in the Recruitment and Selection of Academic Staff in Tertiary Institutions: A Case Study of Polytechnics in Niger Delta

Abstract

The purpose of this paper was to investigate the interference of politicians in the recruitment and selection of academic staff in federal polytechnics in Niger delta. The research design was descriptive survey to investigation and observed the influence of politicians on recruitment and selection of academic staff  in federal polytechnics  in the Niger delta region of Nigeria .It is of  utmost important for  institutions within this region to discourage the interference of political office holders in the recruitment and selection processes for  these polytechnics to avoid having unqualified staff and poor performing students .Findings from the research shows that the quality of graduates  depends on the quality of the academic staff piloting the academic field of the institutions. Also unqualified staff are recruited and appointed to hold sensitive academic position in the polytechnics thereby ridiculing the meritocracy system.  Sequel to the above , it is very important for this institutions ensure that quality academic staff  of the schools are being properly recruited and selected  not appointed by politicians since this  has a negative effect both on  the image and academic performance of the polytechnics .Some recommendations were put forward to resolve the issues of the research.