Proceedings of ADVED 2021- 7th International Conference on Advances in Education, 2021
The paper examines the efficacy of rule of law as an instrument for prosecuting the anti-graft wa... more The paper examines the efficacy of rule of law as an instrument for prosecuting the anti-graft war in Nigeria. Predicated on literature, it is observable that attempts at reducing the incidence of corruption (through various legislations, policies and institutions) in Nigeria's public life predates independence. However, these have not yielded the desired results. Using elite theory as framework of analyses backed by secondary data and textual analyses, the paper identified that the unimpressive impact or lack of vigour of the rule of law on the anti-graft war in Nigeria is traceable to (governing and bureaucratic) elite complicity and weak institutions of governance. Attitudinal re-orientation via educational imperatives on the part of political and bureaucratic elites anchored on rejuvenated public institutions would attenuate these dysfunctions. Other recommendations of the paper are capable of addressing the issues identified.
The o~jective of this paper is to highlight and rein/(m.:e the indispensability of the Weberian b... more The o~jective of this paper is to highlight and rein/(m.:e the indispensability of the Weberian bureaucratic principles to the effective functioning of public sector organisation. IJieher's theoretisation on bureaucracy had Sl!ffered numerous danwging criticisms from scholars: howe, 'e'~ the conlribulions remoin unassailable. Using this model as benchmark. the paper allempted an evaluative excursion of the Nigerian Public Sel'l'ice ond examined the extent of conformity with the principles in prac!ice. The paper observed that the search for efficiency in the .Viger ian public bureaucracy has been a very tall task 11 •ith one ref'orm committee replacing the other from 193-1 to date. The noticeable features of the various reform efforts via their reports ore allempls a/ organizational/institutional development and meosures targeted at enhancing managerial capacity. Weber's characteri::ation (legal rational authority) of bureaucracy underscores lhe essence ofihese reform initiatives and it also constitutes thefit!crwn oft he Nigerian public bureaucracy. The paper recommended among others, the objective implementation ofmeasures aimed at improving efficiency in the public service, zeroing-in on entrenching meril11'hile seeking to preserve federal character in appointments and pmmot ions.
This paper chronicles various Public Administration paradigms and juxtaposes them with the manage... more This paper chronicles various Public Administration paradigms and juxtaposes them with the management of Public Service (as an institution) in Nigeria. Attempts at making the public bureaucracy an effective instrument of development in Nigeria can be located in Public Service Reforms, and it is observable that the country has a long history in this. This study adopts the qualitative approach with a reliance on secondary data which were textually analysed, using the Neo-Weberian State Model as the theoretical framework. It is obvious that Nigeria’s experience with administrative reforms typifies an obsession with the traditional Weberian practice, as well as a half-hearted romance with SAP-induced/NPM reforms which labelled the country as a “hesitant reformer”. The paper emphasises a re-discovery of the values of Public Service in Nigeria based on the tenets of the NWS model. Other recommendations can also address the issues raised by the paper.
The central aim or focus of this paper is to highlight the role of local government (being the cl... more The central aim or focus of this paper is to highlight the role of local government (being the closest tier of government to the grassroots) in rural development. The paper posits that the Nigerian political arrangement negates the essence of federalism (which is decentralization) by being highly centralized. The fiscal practices grossly skewed in favour of the central government couple with lack of accountability among the governing elites conjoin to thwart efforts at meaningful development in the third tier of governance. The paper is made up of Abstract; Introduction; Conceptual Clarification; Self-help as an issue in rural development; Nexus between local government and Rural Development; Approaches to Rural Development, Conclusion and Recommendations. It concluded that local governments have not been able to play their constitutional roles, let alone making attempts at rural development due in the main to the fact that they have been emasculated by other tiers of government. It suggested the Integrated Rural Development (IRD) approach in view of its comprehensiveness for sustainable rural development. The paper strongly recommended autonomy for local governments. It further canvassed fiscal and political reforms as avenues for strengthening governance in the Nigerian local government system.
The central thesis or argument of this paper is that the performance of local governments in Nige... more The central thesis or argument of this paper is that the performance of local governments in Nigeria, especially in the fourth republic can be interrogated through the Efficiency Services theory. The kernel of this theory is that local government acts as an efficient agent for providing services that are local in character. Through a heavy reliance on secondary data backed by practical observation and analytical framework, the paper observed that the leading personnel, policy outcomes and political/administrative environments of local government administration in Nigeria (within the period of study) portrayed them as failed institutions. The paper canvassed the need for synergy and collaborative approach to community development and reform initiatives anchored on "theory to practice" policy inclination.
This paper examines the issues and challenges inherent in executive-legislative relations in Nige... more This paper examines the issues and challenges inherent in executive-legislative relations in Nigeria’s presidential system with special focus on the Eight National Assembly of the Fourth Republic. The paper notes that cordial and symbiotic relations between these two arms of government are irreducible minimum requirements for entrenching robust participatory democracy and ultimately development. However, the above have not taken firm footing, due to the prevalence of acrimony, squabbles and perfidy in executive-legislative relations. Data for this study were collected from secondary sources, and the adoption of textual analysis invigorated the discussion, findings and recommendations. Among others, the paper canvasses the need for deliberate cultivation/deepening the culture of civic engagement, consensus building and respect for constitutional provisions and delineation of boundaries in political and governance spheres. Other recommendations proffered are capable of redressing the ...
The main objective of this paper is to evaluate the impact of leadership in redressing the failed... more The main objective of this paper is to evaluate the impact of leadership in redressing the failed state status of Nigeria with a focus on the present administration (between 2010 and 2012). For the past three years, Nigeria has been keeping the ugly company and ranking consistently as the fourteenth on the list of failed states, but the governing elites have been making spirited campaigns and slow haste in explaining away this situation. Through heavy reliance on secondary sources of data, the utilization of elite theory as framework, backed by the analytical approach to the issues raised/discussed, the paper observed that the ranking of Nigeria on the failed state index ignores some historical facts and current situational realities which make the failed criteria suspect and questionable. There is therefore the need to rethink and tinker with some of these criteria to reflect socioeconomic and political performance in realistic terms. Purposeful and people-centered approach to governance capable of redressing the dysfunctions of the Nigerian state is also canvassed.
Democratic Stability and Regional Economic Integration: The ECOWAS Experience
The focus of this study is to identify the link between democratic stability and regional economi... more The focus of this study is to identify the link between democratic stability and regional economic integration with special emphasis on the realisation of Customs Union and Monetary Union as essential planks upon which economic integration rests in West Africa. Data for the study were gathered through secondary sources. The findings show that democracy in the ECOWAS sub-region can be described as generally unstable. The prevalence of electoral malpractice and intractable civil strife within member states underscore this point. Democratic instability within the sub-region therefore impacts negatively on the ECOWAS objectives that could lead to a borderless West Africa within record time. To this effect, the article recommends deliberate and conscious efforts by political leaders in the sub-region to cultivate and sustain democratic norms as well as show more commitment to the process. There is also the need for member states to be more committed to the process of economic integration.
Global Encyclopedia of Public Administration, Public Policy, and Governance, Dec 9, 2019
Debureaucratization A complex set of reforms in the public sector, bringing changes especially to... more Debureaucratization A complex set of reforms in the public sector, bringing changes especially to the ownership and management of public enterprises. Power The source of electrical energy used for socioeconomic development.
Of recent, especially in the Fourth Republic, Nigeria has been a victim of communal, ethnic and r... more Of recent, especially in the Fourth Republic, Nigeria has been a victim of communal, ethnic and religious violence. The situation has assumed a dangerous scenario with the emergence of Boko Haram terrorist group. In all the violent conflicts, youth has been the cannon fodder in the hand of politicians or religious zealots in fomenting trouble in the land. The reason is premised on the high rate of unemployment among the youth which is a fallout of faulty educational system that renders Nigerian youth unemployable in the labour market. The economic predicament of the Nigerian youth has made them ruthless in crimes. Using system theory, the paper examines Nigeria's education visa -vis national security. The paper maintains that unless Nigeria's education is reformed in such a manner that will make youth self-reliance, then the end of insecurity perpetrated by youth is not yet in sight. The paper also advocates mass employment provision by government for unemployed youth as a measure to address Nigeria's problem of insecurity.
Successive governments in Nigeria have been undertaking different administrative reforms and cons... more Successive governments in Nigeria have been undertaking different administrative reforms and considerable efforts in order to make the Nigerian Public Service transparent and accountable to the citizens.This is in recognition of transparency as one of the key elements of good governance as it allows public insight in the activities of the government and its agencies and also enables them to monitor and control the decision-making process. In recognition of the importance of transparency to quality service delivery, many advanced countries have adoptedInformation Communication Technologies in their public services to strengthenthe relationships betweengovernment and the citizens and allow the later track the activities, and oversee the behaviours of public office holders. In this regards, e-government has been found to increase citizens’ access to governmental information and thus, able to track the decisions and actions of government.The aim of this study is to interrogate the adopt...
The main objective of this paper is to highlight the indispensability of ethics or sound ethical ... more The main objective of this paper is to highlight the indispensability of ethics or sound ethical conduct as a basis for effective service delivery in the Nigerian public sector. If Nigeria must get development initiative/efforts right in the 21st century, then the transformation agenda of this present administration must be anchored on sound public service values and enduring ethical practices. This much has been demonstrated in the paper with heavy reliance on the utilitarian theory, secondary sources of data backed by the analytical method. The paper concluded that the march towards an ethical based public service must continue and be regarded as series of “work in progress”. The paper recommended among others that there is an urgent and continuous need to remould the thought and conduct of civil/public servants and officials of government through the development of ethics and value reorientation that is anchored on accountability and transparency in public service. It further rec...
Policy making simply denotes the use of resources to meet public concern. Suffice to say that the... more Policy making simply denotes the use of resources to meet public concern. Suffice to say that the act of policy making is an act of political compromise among policy makers. Policy making is a tool to direct the course of educational system of any country towards achieving desired ends. If wrong policies are made in directing the course of education, the result will be educational maladministration which will have adverse effects on the learners with long term implication for national development. It is therefore not a surprise that developed countries of the world are very careful in making sure that educational policies are guided by relevant data. However, developing countries are lagging behind in the use of data-driven for policy making as far as educational sector is concerned. Using public choice theory as an explanatory tool, with secondary data gathering techniques, the paper finds that policies on education are hardly based on data, hence educational policies have not been able to deliver the goal of development as data that are necessary to guide policy making on education are hardly gathered and used.
The paper argues that local government autonomy in Nigeria is attainable on the platforms of demo... more The paper argues that local government autonomy in Nigeria is attainable on the platforms of democratic imperative (local self-governance); legal/administrative competence; financial innovativeness and responsibility. This paper interrogates and affirms the nexus between decentralisation and local government, zeroing-in on devolution as the taxonomy for guaranteeing autonomy, and ultimately leading to grassroots development. As a qualitative study with reliance on secondary sources of data, the utilisation of Development Theory (in Local Government Studies) as framework for textual analysis of issues/themes, illuminated the discussion, conclusion and recommendations. Findings reveal that constitutional ambivalence, defective federal practice, intergovernmental relations and institutional weaknesses have in several ways stymied local government autonomy and inhibited the developmental roles of local governments in Nigeria. The suggestions proffered are capable of addressing the gaps ...
The main objective of this paper is to highlight that the effective application of the New Public... more The main objective of this paper is to highlight that the effective application of the New Public Management (NPM) reform initiatives can galvanise the actualisation of the developmental state aspiration of the Nigerian state. The dysfunctions of the traditional paradigm of public administration/bureaucracy which made it grossly inadequate in realising the developmental drives in Nigeria were identified. The utilisation of secondary data which were textually analysed and logically validated, together with the adoption of public choice theory as framework of analysis informed the position of the paper that pragmatic reform initiatives and effective institutions are required to bifurcate the routine public service reform exercises which Nigeria has been grappling with since 1934. A radical departure from bureau-pathologies must be purposely contemplated and the reform orientation of the New Public Management has the potency of redressing this challenge. The combination of this with the appropriate institutional imperatives can catalyse and capacitate the Nigerian Public Service as effective agent of development in Nigeria.
Studies have shown that no nation can attain sustainable development for the enhancement of the l... more Studies have shown that no nation can attain sustainable development for the enhancement of the living standard of the people without a properly organized public service to implement government policies. In this regard, the paper examines the application of the federal character principle in the Nigerian public service for sustainable development. With the adoption and analysis of secondary data, the paper observes that the implementation of the federal character principle in Nigerian public service tends to encourage unethical behaviour amongst public officials and circumscribe merit in the area of manpower procurement and promotion. It therefore concludes that for the Nigerian public service to achieve its mandate of facilitating sustainable development there is need for the government to reappraise the implementation of the federal character principle through the enforcement of merit anchored on public service reform initiatives that can galvanize human capacity and governmental ...
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