The State, Governance and Socioeconomic Development Realities in Nigeria

Abstract

There is a strong relationship between the state, governance and socioeconomic development. The importance of good governance in attaining sustained socio-economic development cannot be overemphasized. This study explores the link between the Nigerian state, governance and socio-economic development. The study reveals that Nigeria’s historical foundation and multi-ethnic loyalty has made governance in Nigeria prebendal and corrupt, favouring mostly the leader, his cronies and ethnic nationals. This has encouraged mediocrity and laxity and engendered ethnic disagreements, thereby turning the Nigerian state into a terrain of intense struggle and conflicts as political, religious and ethnic factors and forces come to bear on the allocation of revenues and resources. On the basis of these findings, the study recommends accountability, transparency and the rule of law. It also recommends extensive national value reorientation that will inspire both a vibrant, active and patriotic citizenship/leadership and an active civil society that can drive the process of utilizing Nigeria’s enormous human and material resources for sustained socio-economic development.

Keywords: State, governance, socioeconomic development, realities.