SECRETARIAL PROFESSION IN NIGERIA: ISSUES, CHALLENGES AND THE FUTURE
Abstract
The paper considered issues, challenges and the future of the secretarial profession in Nigeria. The concepts of secretary and profession were addressed, and the historical perspective of the secretarial profession in general, and in Nigeria in particular, was reviewed. It was observed that the profession has evolved over the years as a result of changes in commerce and industry, and technological advances in the society at large; such that the title ‘secretary’ has now changed to administrative professional. Six issues/challenges: performance/professional growth, rewards, hazards, training, the B.Sc.-HND dichotomy, and attitude of autocratic leaders were identified and analysed. Further, the future of the secretarial profession in Nigeria was examined and noted as bright since the profession is developing and expanding, thereby creating more employment opportunities in the world of work. Recommendations were that more occupational growth opportunities should be created; appropriate reward system should be imbibed; adequate security measures should be made for secretaries considering their exposure to hazards; training and retraining of secretaries should be enhanced to provide for adequate skills acquisition for the demands of secretarial work; and that the B.Sc.-HND dichotomy be removed.
Keywords: Secretary, Secretarial Profession, Issues and challenges, Future, Nigeria
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