Operational Efficiency and Service Delivery of State-Owned Enterprises in Nigeria: A Study of Edo City Transport Service, Benin City, Nigeria

Abstract

State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) are government-owned organisations created to provide services that are important for economic growth and social welfare. In Nigeria, SOEs are active in different sectors such as transport, energy, and communication, but many of them face serious problems of poor management and weak funding. The aim of this paper is to examine the operational efficiency and service delivery of state-owned enterprises in Nigeria with a focus on Edo City Transport Service (ECTS), Benin. The study which is anchored on public interest theory, adopts a qualitative research approach. Data were gathered primarily from secondary sources, including published academic journal articles, government policy documents, transport sector reports and relevant books on public administration and transportation management.  Findings showed that although ECTS has provided some benefits, such as employment for drivers and easier movement for workers and students, its overall performance is below expectation. Problems such as irregular schedules, high operating costs, old buses, and political interference continue to affect the service. The paper also noted that ECTS’s challenges reflect wider problems faced by many SOEs in Nigeria, including poor maintenance culture, corruption, and lack of innovation. The study concludes that ECTS and other SOEs can become more sustainable if they embrace financial transparency, adopt modern management practices, and reduce political influence. It was recommended that ECTS should adopt a more sustainable and transparent financial framework that combines government support with internally generated revenue.

Keywords:  Benin, Edo City Transport service, Operational efficiency, Service delivery, state-owned enterprises,