Ethics and Professionalism in the Anambra State Public Service: Compliance with the Public Service Rules

Ethical standards and professional conduct form the bedrock of a credible and effective public service. This study evaluates the level of compliance with the Public Service Rules among civil servants in Anambra State, assessing the enforcement mechanisms in place and the factors that promote or inhibit ethical conduct in the state's bureaucracy. The study is grounded in the Theory of Administrative Ethics, which holds that ethical governance requires institutionalised values, clear rules of conduct, and robust enforcement frameworks to guide public official behaviour. A survey research design was adopted. The study population comprised civil servants across Grade Level 07 to 16 in selected Anambra State ministries, from which 270 respondents were drawn using stratified random sampling. A structured questionnaire and documentary analysis of enforcement records were used for data collection. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and regression analysis. Findings indicate that while the Public Service Rules framework is well-documented, compliance is inconsistent, particularly regarding attendance, asset declaration, and the use of public property. Weak disciplinary enforcement and low awareness of ethics provisions were identified as key gaps. The study concludes that ethics compliance in the Anambra State Civil Service requires institutional reinforcement through training and consistent enforcement. It is recommended that the Office of the Head of Service launch a sustained ethics awareness programme and introduce mandatory annual public service ethics certification for all cadres.

Keywords: Ethics, Professionalism, Public Service Rules, Civil Service, Anambra State