Recruitment and Selection in Civil Society Organisations: Examining Prevailing Challenges in the Nigerian Context

Over the past two decades, civil society organisations (CSOs) have gained increasing significance in global development, especially in countries like Nigeria where they deliver essential services and advocate for social accountability. Unlike the government and private sectors, CSOs depend heavily on human capital, making effective recruitment and selection (R&S) practices critical to their success. However, Nigerian CSOs face a range of internal and external constraints—including limited institutional capacity, inconsistent recruitment systems, donor-driven hiring pressures, and a misaligned labour market that undermine their ability to attract and retain suitable talent. Despite these persistent challenges, empirical research on R&S within the Nigerian CSO context remains limited. This study addresses this gap by using qualitative methods—specifically semi-structured interviews with HR managers, executive directors, and programme leads from selected Nigerian CSOs—to explore the lived realities shaping recruitment and selection practices. The analysis is framed using the AMO (Ability, Motivation, Opportunity) model, which helps illuminate how organisational actors perceive their capacity to recruit effectively, their motivation to do so under current constraints, and the opportunities available for improvement. Findings reveal that while staff often demonstrate strong motivation to enhance R&S outcomes, their ability and opportunity are constrained by structural limitations, informal hiring processes, and a lack of strategic HR planning. The paper concludes with context-specific recommendations aimed at strengthening R&S systems, addressing organisational inefficiencies, and improving overall human resource effectiveness within Nigerian CSOs. By applying the AMO framework, this study offers both theoretical and practical insights into the human capital challenges affecting the third sector in Nigeria