Nigerian State and the Crisis of Governance: A Critical Exposition

Dhikru Adewale Yagboyaju,Adeoye O Akinola

doi:10.1177/2158244019865810

Abstract

Over the decades, there has been a recurrent and sustained argument that the Nigerian state, like its counterparts in Africa and other countries of the developing world, underperforms due to lack of state capacity to deal with the contemporary complexities of governance. This article examines the state of governance in Nigeria and assesses the factors militating against the promotion of public good and effective service delivery in the country. The article draws data from secondary and primary sources, which include the authors’ close observations of events in Nigeria. Governance and political leadership in Nigeria have been driven by self-interest and other primordial considerations, which take priority over that of the public. The state has failed in three major areas: security of lives and properties, promotion of the rule of law, and provision of visionary leadership. In conclusion, the nature and characters of the political leadership explains the Nigerian state incapacity for effective governance.

Highlights

Over the decades, there has been a recurrent and sustained argument that the Nigerian state, like its counterparts in Africa and other countries of the developing world, underperforms due to lack of state capacity1 to deal with the contemporary complexities of governance
The factors responsible for leadership failure are discussed with particular emphasis on the executive arm, the most obvious and most active part of the civilian government in Nigeria
Nigerian government has even failed to guarantee the security of a large section of the population, and militancy and insurrection have militated against effective governance since the return of civil rule in 1999

Summary

Introduction

There has been a recurrent and sustained argument that the Nigerian state, like its counterparts in Africa and other countries of the developing world, underperforms due to lack of state capacity1 to deal with the contemporary complexities of governance. Governance development is evaluated by the extent to which there are improvements and sustainable development on issues such as security of life and property, poverty level, accountability, transparency and corruption, party and electoral systems, rule of law, leadership, human rights, gender, and political participation.

Results

Conclusion