Impact of Policy Implementation Strategies on Service Delivery Efficiency in Local Government Areas in Nigeria

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of policy implementation strategies on service delivery efficiency in Local Government Areas (LGAs) across Nigeria, drawing on the Top-Down and Bottom-Up Theories of Policy Implementation to explain the dynamics of execution at the grassroots level. Adopting a qualitative research methodology, the study engaged 48 purposively selected participants including local government officials, state-level policymakers, community leaders, frontline service providers, and residents across six LGAs representing each geopolitical zone: Calabar Municipal (South-South), Enugu North (South-East), Irepo (South-West), Bosso (North-Central), Jalingo (North-East), and Bichi (North-West). Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, and document analysis, and analyzed thematically. Findings reveal that ineffective policy communication, lack of alignment between policy goals and local realities, poor resource allocation, weak monitoring and evaluation systems, and political interference are major impediments to efficient service delivery. The study recommends participatory, context-sensitive implementation frameworks that prioritize stakeholder inclusion, resource adequacy and sustained monitoring to improve grassroots governance and public service delivery.