Public Policy Formulation and Implementation in Nigeria

Abstract

The papers examine and analyze the importance, problems and factors influencing public policy formulation and implementation. It dwelt further on the policy reforms and determinant of policy issues and features as a guide to effective public policy formulation and implementation in Nigeria. The study equally revealed that there is lack of full practice of federalism in Nigeria as enshrined in the 1999 constitution rather what is obtained now is synonymous to unitary system of government. Consequent upon that, in spite of the importance of public policy formulation and implementation as a critical factor in the management of government affairs in Nigeria, yet there are no standard formats or generally accepted guidelines towards such. It is against this background, that the bureaucrats has a way of constituting obstacles or frustration in the way of policies formulated by the political officials, especially those policies on which they hold divergent opinions or are not of direct benefit to them. A synonym for this sense is the bureaucratic decision making process. As a result of this since independent, the country has been facing challenges of managing her resources due to the different styles of governance in the implementing of various aspects of government public policies, programmes and actions. The study recommends among other things the need for government to be very proactive, sensitive in formulating and implementation of public policy decisions that has direct impact on its citizenry.

Keywords: Public Policy, Policy reform, policy implementation