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Findings of the Secretariat of the African Association for Public Administration and Management (AAPAM′s) study on “Administrative Responses to the Economic Crisis in Africa” (1989) are summarised, focusing on the experiences of four African countries: Ghana, Nigeria, Tanzania and Zimbabwe. Research was based on a model of administrative responses to the “crisis”, predicting four types of change – changes in scope, processes, organisational structures and resource capacity (manpower, finance and equipment) of African Public Administration Systems (PAS). Reports of the subsequent workshop of researchers and policy makers on “Improving Public Sector Management in Africa”, at Arusha, Tanzania in April 1990 are examined, comparisons of the common concerns and dilemmas of the four countries are noted, and conclusions are drawn.

Attempts a critical evaluation of the theoretical foundation of the local government system in Nigeria. Re‐assesses Nigeria′s idea of three‐tier federalism both as a theory of federal organization and as a policy reform. Reviews the different definitions of “tiered federalism” and attempts to synthesize them into a coherent idea. Shows that three‐tier federalism is impossible to define in a consistent manner. Proceeds from this to argue that its so‐called successes are in centralizing the Nigerian state rather than in furthering the idea of local governance.

The study examined gender differences in careerist attitudes toward work of Nigerian managers. Participants were 150 first‐line managers (75 males and 75 females) of four large industrial organisations in Lagos, Nigeria. Results revealed that male managers were significantly higher on careerist attitudes toward work compared to female managers. Independent t‐test analysis showed that marital status significantly in fluenced careerist attitudes toward work among women but did not play a significant role in the career istattitudes to ward work of men. The study concludes that gender enhances the use of careerist strategies in men but inhibits it in women. The implication of this finding for policy formulation and future studies were discussed.