Governance In Nigeria Research Articles

An evaluation of the flip flop approach to combating terrorism and religious extremism in Nigeria from 2015-2022

The fundamental responsibility of government is to secure citizens life and properties. The ongoing terrorist activities and religious extremism in Nigeria is yet to receive the required attention from the government. In light of the growing influence of terrorism and religious extremism in Nigeria, the study adopted the relative deprivation theory, to explain possible causes of terrorism and the recruitment of terrorists. The paper examines the ideological variations among the terrorist groups, using the quantitative textual analysis of secondary data to evaluate and scrutinize the flip flop approach of the Nigeria government from 2015 to 2022 in combating terrorism and religious extremism in the country. Despite the response by government, insecurity, terrorism and religious extremism have not been defeated due to lack of political will and the inability of government to make good laws to sanction offenders, thus, endemic poverty encourages the spread of terrorism and religious extremism. The study recommend among others, the need for government to properly police the borders, religious or tribal nepotism should not be condoled and not until systematic corruption, bad governance, inter religious and ethnic rivalry aimed at the control of state apparatus for economic and political selfish gains are seriously addressed and curtailed. The paper suggests that acute poverty and relative deprivation are precursor to the serial insecurity and terrorism that Nigeria is facing today.

Analysis of Fishery and Forestry Ventures and Poverty Reduction in Nigeria

Fishery and forestry ventures are sub-sectors of agriculture with the potential for poverty reduction through employment creation, value addition, and improvement in export earnings. Nevertheless, they have received relatively less attention from all levels of government in Nigeria. This paper examined the effect of fishery and forestry ventures on poverty reduction in Nigeria between 1976 and 2022. Ex-post facto research design was adopted. Data were sourced from CBN annual statistical bulletin, the National Bureau of Statistics, publications of the World Bank, as the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. NARDL was adopted for data analysis. Phillip-Peron Unit root tests revealed a uniform order of integration, while Co-integration Bounds test revealed no existence of long-run relationship between the fishery and forestry ventures and poverty reduction. Findings revealed that agricultural production in fishery and forestry has no significant long-run nexus with poverty reduction in Nigeria. The paper recommended that the Federal Department of Fisheries should engage reputable research institutes and colleges in the fishery industry in Nigeria to train and retrain participants in the sub-sectors to provide skilled workforce in the development of sustainable fishery production towards poverty reduction in Nigeria. The paper also recommended that regulatory agencies in the forestry sub-sector in Nigeria appoint more supervisors and enforcement officers to ensure adequate regulation of the industry towards adding maximum economic value to the exploration and exploitation of the forestry resources in Nigeria by reducing leakages and ensuring that adequate taxes and levies are paid including collection of relevant penalties from defaulters in order to attain sustainable income generation and poverty reduction among the accredited participants.

Impact and Implication of the Proletariats Rendezvous in the 2023 General Election in Nigeria

The state of affairs over the years since Nigeria assumed the practice of democracy has been largely anti-democratic in practice, this scenario has led to an outcome of impoverishment, stagnation and the torn-stunk of the living conditions of the proletariats, which have undermined their faith and confidence in the electoral outcome and governance in Nigeria. The chunks of the Nigerian masses which represent the proletariats in Nigeria have been the most deleteriously affected group of the population in Nigeria. In view of the above, this paper examined the impact and implication of the proletariat’s rendezvous in the 2023 general elections in Nigeria. The paper adopted the qualitative research method, while utilizing textbooks, journals, newspapers, government publications, rules of proceedings and internet materials. Also applied was the Rational Choice Theory as propounded by Adam Smith in 1770 as its theoretical framework of analysis to provide understanding, explanation and as well make predictions germane to the problematic. The paper find out and concludes that the 2023 general election in Nigeria fell short of the credibility threshold set. Based on the findings, recommendations were made that additional reforms and improvements are required to ensure that the quality of future elections in Nigeria does not further decline, and that public confidence in the capacity of INEC to conduct elections is restored, while trust in the credibility of elections is re-established.

Credit Financing and Agricultural Development in Nigeria

This study investigates the short-run dynamics and long-run link between credit financing offered by Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) and agricultural development in Nigeria for a period of 1981 to 2020. A quantitative ex-post facto research design was employed to analyze bank credit impact on agricultural advancement at both aggregate and sub-sectoral agricultural production. The research strategy utilized allows the use of economic series obtained from Central Bank of Nigeria Statistical Bulletin (2021) and World Bank Development Indicators (2021) to be analyzed by Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) estimation technique. From ARDL estimations, it is indicated that DMBs loans and advances have significantly negative short-run impacts on agricultural development in Nigeria at both aggregate and sub-sector levels. However, Bounds Testing analysis shows that the impacts of DMBs financing on Nigeria agriculture sector and labour employment in the sector become positively significant over a long period at aggregate level and for crop production only as a sub-sector. But the observed positive long-run impact of DMBs lending to agriculture was not significant for advancement of other sub-sectors (livestock, fishing and forestry). Hence, the study affirms that in the short run DMBs lending significantly slow down agricultural development in Nigeria but increases it significantly in the long run. The study recommends that there is need for agricultural policy makers and governments in Nigeria to develop appropriate specific agricultural financing mechanism that can aid performance of agricultural sector in the short-run and maintain long-run positive gains in the sector.

Reflections on Policy Reforms in Nigeria’s Primary Education, 1882-2020

Primary education, as the basic foundation for all subsequent levels of educational system, has been considered worldwide as the key towards development of any modern nation. Over sixty years after national political independence, Nigerian’s elementary education is still grappling with the problem of evolving a sustainable policy for national development. Successive governments in Nigeria have made several attempts to address the problems through policy reforms. The latest of such reform agenda is the Universal Basic Education (UBE) introduced in 1999. Thus this paper, undertakes a survey of policies instituted to guide the Nigeria’s primary education and the series of adjustments to the policies with the hope of providing sustainable policy framework for Nigerian children education in order to fulfill the national aspirations in the twenty-first century. The paper argues that a realistic policy for our basic education should be based on adequate and well informed data and an honest commitment on the part of the policy makers ,implementers’ and managers.

Ecological and Health Risk Assessment of Polychlorinated Biphenyls in Water and Sediments in Bodo Riverine Area, River State, Nigeria

Concentrations of nine polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were assessed in sediments and water in the Bodo River area, Gokana Local Government of River state Nigeria to assess the risk associated within the region due to the effect of oil spillage and marine pollution. The analytical procedure involved the application of Gas Chromatography coupled with mass spectrometric detection (GC/MS) for identification and quantification of and polychlorinated biphenyls respectively with high degree of accuracy and precision after triplicate analysis. All the selected PCB congeners analyzed were detected in the analyzed samples at different frequencies. The total concentrations of PCBs ranged from nd (not detected) to 4.15 mg/kg in sample A with an average concentration of 1.66 mg/kg, nd to 8.4 mg/kg in sample B with an average concentration of 3.25 mg/kg and nd to 7.30 mg/kg in sample C with an average concentration of 3.64 mg/kg in sediments. While the total concentrations of PCBs in the water sample ranged from nd (not detected) to 1.25 mg/kg in sample A with an average concentration of 0.56 mg/kg, nd to 4.50 mg/kg in sample B with an average concentration of 1.20 mg/kg and nd to 2.2 mg/kg in sample C with an average concentration of 0.88 mg/kg. Health risk assessment employed in this study includes the chronic daily intake and the carcinogenic risk via ingestion, inhalation and dermal contact using established guidelines. The total concentrations of PCBs were used to assess the cancer risk probabilities in humans via ingestion, dermal contact and inhalation of sediments particles. Very low cancer risk was found in all water samples compared to sediments samples caused by ƩPCBs. The results of the ecological risk assessment of PCBs in the Bodo River demonstrated the presence of PCBs in all sampling sites showing that the sites were highly contaminated with largely negative biological effects and a high potential risk to the environment.

Delegation of Legislative Power between Levels of Government in Nigeria and Kenya

Abstract The concept of delegated legislation has always been examined between three arms of government. However, the concept has not been seriously addressed between levels of government. This study therefore seeks to examine the concept of delegated legislation between levels of government in Nigeria and Kenya. The study finds that in both Nigeria and Kenya, the concept of delegated legislation within levels of government has not been seriously explored and that in both countries, there is ethnic tension and the need for devolution of power. The study therefore argues that delegated legislation between levels of government if carefully managed may be used to achieve devolution of power and douse ethnic tension in Nigeria and Kenya. The study concludes that Nigeria and Kenya should explore the concept of delegated legislation at levels of government.

An Exposè on Encumbrance in Political Parties' Financing and Electoral Credibility in Nigeria

Purpose: This study examines political party financing and voting behaviour in north-central Nigeria, with particular focus on the level of financing in the region, the underlining motivations for such financing, and insight into the benefits or otherwise of political party financing on governance and development in the region vis-à-vis electoral process credibility. Theoretical framework: Electoral window in Nigeria political terrain is conceived by the elite as investment venture of which profit is to be maximized by means of exchange of electorates voting power for money, entrenchment of poverty and by extension hold the electoral system to hostage via manipulation, corruption and election irregularities and weak judicial system. According to the investment and social exchange theory, the political class are to business of investment for profit and exchange of services (voting power/vote buying) transaction politics for elite interest aggregation and articulation. Design/Methodology/Approach: The study uses using survey and in-depth interview. The research work was carried out across three dominant political parties in north-central Nigeria, namely the All Progressive Congress (APC), People’s Democratic Party (PDP), and Labour Party (LP), in the north-central geopolitical zone of Nigeria. The research follows three stages of random sampling. Stage one involves the random sampling or selection of two local governments across Benue, the Plateau, and Nassarawa, totaling six units of study. Stage two involves the random selection of two council wards from each of the six (6) identified focus areas, for a total of twelve (12) council wards. Stage three involves the selection of 18 respondents from each unit sampled, making a total of 216 respondents for the study. The study made use of descriptive statistics (Graphs) to analyse the data obtained from a field survey and interview analysed thematically. However, 200 questionnaires were valid for analysis after two weeks of administering the questionnaire. Findings: Findings reveal that unregulated political party financing undermines Nigeria electoral process vis-à-vis electoral credibility. It promotes political patronage and clientele networks; thus, political or electoral funders control and select politicians, thereby sacrificing good governance and development. Excessive and unregulated financing breaks the link between the electorate and politicians, leading to unequal participation, making it difficult for new political forces to emerge. Politicians with large resources often give preferential treatment to their backers, and politicians abuse their access to state resources to maintain power which in turns undermines the electoral process due to transactional (party with big money bags wins’ election) political nature in Nigeria. Research, Practical & Social implications: This study shows that political elites has weaponized transactional politics and corruption to hold on to power and by extension undermines the electoral process which in turns gave rise to bad governance, corruption and poverty in Nigeria and Nigeria is currently suffering from institutional fragility (INEC) and if proactive measures is not taken to suppress these menace in Nigeria political landscape, the country is heading to banana republic. This study helps policymakers to be in the know of the impending disaster that awaits Nigeria in the near future if proactive measures are not taking to quell this menace of transactional politics. Originality/Value: The findings suggest several consequences for the electoral processes in Nigeria and by extension Africa on how eexcessive political party financing affects the performances of eventual winners and electoral outcomes and this transactional politics does not does not benefit the north-central zone as it concerns service delivery oriented governance and development.

Good Governance and the Role of Legislators in Local Governments in Nigeria

The aim of this paper is to explore good governance as it is obtained in the local governments in Nigeria by examining the roles and responsibilities of local government legislators who are in charge of the grassroots offshoot of development in governance. As the closest tier of government to the citizenry, it is expected that good governance should start from the local government. The nature of this paper is primarily descriptive in the sense that it defined broad conceptual issues on the role of the local government, local government legislature and good governance. It is also explanatory as the paper delves into the roles of the local government legislature and the effectiveness of this organ of government in ensuring and sustaining good governance in the Nigerian polity. In doing this, this paper becomes very relevant in assessing and addressing the gaps as well as performance tracking in governance.

Political Crisis in Nupe Kingdom of Nigeria, 1800 – 1857: The Rise and Fall of Mayaki Umaru Bahaushe – The Etsu Nupe That Never Was

One of the fundamental outcomes of the 19th century Jihad in Nigeria, led by Usman Ibn Fodio, was the establishment of a Caliphate, Emirates and Emirate system of government in Northern Nigeria. Not less than thirteen of such Emirates were established in the area on the basis of “Islamic” principles. Each Emirate so established was led by an Emir, supported by a Council of Elders and Advisers, as well as, Traditional Title Holders. The appointment of the Emirs must be approved and endorsed by the Head of the Caliphate – the Sultan with his Headquarters at Sokoto before the division of the Caliphate into Eastern and Western parts. While Sokoto, after the division remained the Headquarters of the Eastern part, Gwandu became the capital of the Western part of the caliphate. Among the Emirates constituting the Eastern part were Rano, Kano, Zaria, Katsina, Hadejia and Bauchi, while those of the Western portion were Nupe, Kontagora, and Ilorin. This paper attempts to discuss the Emirates in Nupeland, their establishment, problems associated with their consolidation, arising from internal and intra – leadership conflicts among the Jihadists, on one hand, and between them and Indigenous Nupe rulers under Tsoede, the founder of Nupe kingdom and dynasty, on the other. It also examines the circumstances leading to the emergence of a brave and popular war commander, Mayaki Umaru Bahaushe to “usurp” or to assume the position of Etsu in the Emirate of Raba following the attendant crisis and political instability.

Groundwater quality in the vicinity of a dumpsite in Lagos metropolis, Nigeria

Inappropriate management of municipal solid waste dumpsites is a major cause of groundwater contamination in developing countries, but the extent of the problem is not known. This study investigated groundwater quality in the vicinity of Olusosun dumpsite in Lagos, Nigeria, the most populous city in sub-Saharan Africa. During 2020, monthly groundwater samples were collected in 17 wells and boreholes used as drinking water sources, and analysed for 20 physico-chemical parameters. Differences between sites and seasons were statistically assessed, together with changes in water quality index (WQI). The results indicated that heavy metals (Pb2+, Ni+, Mn2+, Fe2+, Cr6+), cations (Ca2+, Mg2+, K+), total hardness and pH were the main parameters impairing water quality. Drinking water quality standards from both the World Health Organization and Nigeria government were exceeded more often in the wet season than in the dry season. Some groundwater properties were negatively correlated with distance to dumpsite (e.g., Fe2+, Pb2+, NO3−). Significant differences between sites were identified, but with no clear spatial trend. WQI varied from excellent (6%–24% of the sites over the study period) to unsuitable for drinking water purposes (12%–18%), with good quality prevailing at most sites (35%–47%). Although groundwater quality declined at 24% of the sites over 2020, the results indicated improvements compared with previous decades. Remediation strategies must be implemented to safeguard public health and the sustainability of water resources.

EFFECT OF ELECTRONIC PAYMENT ON THE NIGERIAN ECONOMY

The objective of this paper was to determine the effect of electronic payment system on the Nigerian economy. This study adopted the ex-post-facto research design to determine the causeeffect relationship of electronic payment and the Nigerian economy. The dependent and independent variables were observed over the period, 2009 to 2020. The same data were analyzed and tested using econometric analytical technique to determine the impact of the independent variable (electronic payment proxied by ATM payment, POS payment, Web payment and mobile money transfer payment) on the dependent variable (Nigerian economy proxied by Gross Domestic Product). Data were tested using the E-view statistical software adopting the Ordinary Least Square (OLS) method on the regression model adopted. The signs and significance of the regression coefficients were relied upon in explaining the nature and influence of the independent variable on the dependent variable as to determine both magnitude and direction of impact. The hypotheses were tested at 0.05 (5%) level of significance. Results from the study revealed that automated teller machine (ATM), point of sale (POS), web payment (WEBPAY) and mobile money (MBM) payment has positive and significant impact on the Nigerian economy. Thus, electronic payment has positive and significant impact on the Nigerian economy. The study therefore concludes that, an increase in electronic payment will lead to an increase in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and by implication economic growth. Hence, it is recommended that the Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Central Bank of Nigeria should establish policies that ensure the enhancement and sustenance of efficient electronic payment channels.

Twitter Ban and Economic Development in Nigeria

This paper ‘Twitter ban and economic development in Nigeria’ analytically examined the economic implications of the ban placed on Twitter by the federal government of Nigeria on June 4, 2021. It is obvious how the sudden ban on Twitter has affected internet merchants and networkers who leverage the cyber space for their businesses. While the ban on Twitter may be seen as means of curtailing the excesses with the use of the cyber space, however, the ban has affected well-meaning Nigerians. Against this background, this paper critically examined the economic effects of the ban. Therefore, three research questions and objectives were formulated to aid the study. The study theoretically synthesized Media Ecology Theory (MET) by Marshall McLuhan and Communication act by Niklas Luhamn. The study adopted a desk research methodology; as such data was elicited via secondary sources. A thematic content method of data analysis was used in analyzing the secondary data. The study concludes by making recommendations amongst others; government should reverse the ban on Twitter etc

Fuel subsidy protests in Nigeria: The promise and mirage of empowerment

Attempts to abolish fuel subsidy by successive governments in Nigeria have provoked serious backlash in the form of protests and violence. What maybe said to be the use of such public protests? The literature draw attention to the link between fuel subsidies and protests, but it is still unclear whether or how protests empower protesters to shape the forces that dominate their lives. This paper applies Gaventa's ‘power cube’ as an analytical device to explore the interactions between government and protesters as power relations, and to understand power as both domination and its resistance. This approach introduces a fresh angle to the subject, opening up the terms of the debate, which seems to have stalemated in claims and counter-claims over the nexus between protests and empowerment, often addressed in essentialist terms. Data, specifically related to the January 2012 fuel price increase and protest, from key informant interviews and secondary sources are employed to explore the question.

ACHIEVING GOOD GOVERNANCE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA THROUGH EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT IN EDUCATION

This study aims to investigate how the integration of emotional intelligence and leadership development in education can contribute to achieving good governance and promoting sustainable development in Nigeria. The study employs qualitative research method in which analytic approach was used to review literature on emotional intelligence and its important, influence of emotional intelligence on leadership and sustainable development, the role emotional intelligent play on good governance, and how emotional intelligence can be used to nurture leadership development in Nigeria education system. Drawing from analysis of relevant literature, the author advocates the integration of emotional intelligence into the curriculum. It is believed that integration of emotional intelligence would equip educators and students with self-awareness, empathy, effective communication, and conflict resolution skills. This would empower future leaders to navigate complex social landscapes. This, in turn, would enable them to address societal issues with a greater understanding of the human dimensions involved. The researcher made further recommendations which include inter alia, that: The Nigerian government should prioritize the integration of emotional intelligence and leadership development programs among Educators. Educators should emphasize ethics, social responsibility, and sustainability across various subjects and cultivation of leadership skills among students. Furthermore, more trained Guidance Counsellors should be employed in the Nigerian educational sectors to cushion the effect of unwholesome development of emotional intelligence and enhancing good governance and sustainable development in Nigeria.

COVID 19 Pandemic: Religious Leadership and the Challenges of Good Governance in Nigeria

The paper focuses on the effects of SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19 in Nigeria as relates to issues of religion and the challenges of good governance. The recent outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 in most countries of the world, which culminated in governments across the globe, instituting measures of lockdown as a means of containing the spread of the virus, appears to be a perceptible assessment for the religious institutions to re-evaluate their allegiance and commitment to good governance in Nigeria. The paper is a qualitative assessment of the issues of religious beliefs and the challenges of good governance in Nigeria as undergirded by the outbreak of coronavirus pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic, which resulted in social distancing and banning of congregational religious activities in most countries of the world, was seen as a threat to religious activities by some religious groups and leadership in Nigeria. This notion consequently led to various utterances and actions that challenged the responsive efforts of government in containing the virus. The paper argues that such conducts are inimical to state public health measures and good governance in Nigeria. It, therefore, surmises that religious groups, particularly their leaders, need to discontinue from complicating an already challenged political leadership of the country, rather they should endeavour to use their enormous influence and contribute towards good governance by controlling faith-based emotions, synergizing and assisting the government, especially in such difficult time in history as presented by the pandemic. If religious sentiments are significantly controlled, democratic governance in Nigeria will fare better.

A Pragmatic Study of Politeness Strategies in the Inaugural Speeches of Civilian Heads of Government in Nigeria

The study is a pragmatic examination of the use of language by civilian heads of government in Nigeria. The study was informed by the need to understand the pragmatic strategies employed in crafting the presidential inaugural speech being the president’s first official speech. It is believed that the inaugural speech is a comprehensive piece of political communication that affords the speaker the opportunity to say so much in one fell swoop. The objective is to unravel the deployment of the politeness strategy in conveying the speaker’s intention. The study engages the politeness model proposed by Geoffrey Leech to interrogate the excerpts selected for the study. The study utilises data from the inaugural addresses of selected civilian heads of government. The study observes that political leaders in this category employ adverbial, adjectival and hedging as a pragmatic strategy for maintaining the self-esteem of the addressees. Nigeria’s civilian heads of government display generosity in praising the addressees while being modest in praising the speaker.

Reinforcing the civil service ethics to enhance good governance in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic

Reinforcing the civil service ethics to enhance good governance in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic

Corruption and Foreign Policy Formulation and Implementation in Nigeria: An Overview

This paper examines the nexus of corruption and foreign policy formulation and implementation vis-avis the impacts on politics and governance in Nigeria. Using liberalism as a theoretical approach to capture the discourse, the paper relies on qualitative data collected from secondary sources. The study argues that political leadership and corruption are interwoven, with far-reaching implications for socio-economic development. The paper concludes that for Nigeria to experience political and socio-economic development, responsible and credible leaders must emerge to implant the act of good and selfless governance in the country through policy formulation and implementation. The study reveals that Nigeria has yet to benefit fully from the conduct of external relations since independence in 1960. This is because some of the domestic factors that determine Nigeria’s image (economy, military, demography, leadership, constitution, etc.) are not fully developed to give the nation the leverage to assert its influence at the regional level and on the global scene. It is, therefore, recommended that these factors that impede the formulation and implementation of Nigeria’s foreign policy should be looked into and resolved so that the country can benefit both from its domestic policy and foreign relations and maximize fully her potential rather than people turning the table for their benefit.

Quasi-Democracy and Autocracy as Governance Systems in Nigeria An Examination

Abstract: Both democracy and autocracy are forms of governance systems that have been operated by humankind in the course of organizing society. They differ from one another and can hardly be combined for governance purposes without wreaking havoc in the society that does so. In some societies, there has been evidence that a historical transition from autocracy to democracy took place; the latter has since been consolidated. This is notably true in capitalist social formations. But, in some other societies, such linear transition has not been perfected and consolidated; such societies have often been stuck with autocracy, even when they propagandize democratic rule. Two points have to be raised about these forms of governance based on what has been said so far. In the first instance, because of the inherent differences in the natures of the two governance systems, humankind has arrived at a conclusion that democracy is better than autocracy and that it is historically a progressive development. Secondly and consequentially, a society that has been able to transition from autocracy to democracy should not allow itself to regress. This has not been the case in the Nigerian governance system. At Nigeria's independence in 1960, democracy was explicitly accepted to be an antithesis of colonial autocracy. However, both autocracy and elements of democracy were used and have since been combined for governance. Just halfway into the first decade of independence, the military took over, and alternations between civilian rule and autocracy took place. The paper attempts to clarify both concepts of democracy and autocracy, provide a detailed analysis of governance in Nigeria, and show how the country's debilitating economic structures and other factors have reinforced autocratic nature of governance, whether military or civilian.