Leadership and Governance is a collection of essays on political economy, leadership and governance, and corruption and community development, as well as on information technology and education. This book, thus, presents a broad overview of the major problems facing the Nigerian economy. Towards that, the contributors highlight the relationship between good leadership and governance and the economic health of Nigeria as they explore the forces for a meaningful change in the polity. This book asserts that political leaders in Nigeria should be held to a higher standard of leadership and governance in order for the economy to grow and develop for 'common good'. Nigeria's educational system is the foundation for its national development. But this is impossible without investing in human capital (education and health), fixing the existing dilapidated infrastructure and institutions and acquiring technological capability that drive the economy. The power of productivity of the Nigerian economy cannot rise above the quality of its leadership, governance and graduates. Today Nigeria's young democracy is in a state of uncertainty because of ineffective leadership and governance as well as lack of accountability. Since all the essential factors are missing in Nigeria's scheme of affairs, its economy as well as the democracy transition will continue to choke and stagnate. There are myriad ways to reform the Nigerian educational system, improve its quality of graduates and the state of the economy. But closing the nation's higher institutions for five months on the pretext that there is no money to meet teachers demands is not a way to improve the state of education and its weak economy. The trouble with Nigeria's democracy is that the people do not get the type of government they want. For instance, praying to God only, as President Goodluck Jonathan often does, to rescue the nation from its challenges is not by any means a strategy to solve Nigeria's socioeconomic and political problems. His administration needs to adopt a long-term strategy for creating a learning culture to improve the state of education and the security situation so as to tackle its development challenges. This includes motivating the teachers, treating them as professional they really are, and providing them with the tools to effectively educate the youths. Like the Nigerian economy without functional infrastructure and institutions, the leaders cannot strip the teachers of the tools they need to perform their duties and expect them to perform miracles. New challenges require new paradigms. The political leaders should adopt new, effective and innovative methods to meet the needs of the economy, the rapidly growing population and the ethno-religious and politically dynamic society. This book posits that without a paradigm shift in values, beliefs and thinking on ways to reform the Nigerian educational system, as well as to invest in the commanding heights of the economy, its educational system and the economy would remain prostrate with its attendant catalogue of human misery.

This book examines how modern Nigerian political institutions have grappled with the resurgence of traditional institutions of political leadership in the post-colonial era. The contributors examine the role and nature of traditional governance institutions in West Africa from pre-colonial times to the post-colonial era. Part I considers a range of traditional institutions including monarchies, Islamic institutions and the role of culture and arts such as masking and music in traditional leadership. Part II focuses on modern governance institutions, elites, political action, arts, and democracy in post-colonial Nigeria. Part III examines democratic institutions and processes in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic, covering issues such as electoral reforms, women’s political participation, and democratic citizenship. This book will be of interest to students and scholars of African politics, governance, and democratization.

This book examines the politics and economics of infrastructure development in Nigeria from Independence in 1960 up to 2015, and the role of good governance in promoting the socioeconomic wellbeing of citizens. Arguing for the need for transformational leadership in infrastructure development, the chapters examine policy issues and survey the various administrative, economic, and social-political reforms that have impacted infrastructure development in Nigeria. The author also discusses current national development plans and Vision 20:2020; challenges to infrastructure development, including corruption; and the future potential of a strong infrastructure network for the economy and citizens. Drawing upon his experience within government departments, as well as existing models of leadership and governance, the author explores the role of infrastructure development in promoting the wellbeing and growth of Nigeria. Combining theory with practical examples of good governance, this book will be of interest for students and researchers of political science and infrastructure development in Africa.

A study by a Nigerian academic which argues that Nigeria has failed to install and operate "modern" national institutions, which has resulted in hindering political development.

Effective Leadership In Nigeria: Practical Ways To Build an Effective, Inspiring, Transformational and Visionary Leadership and Governance in Nigeria is mostly based on the current apathetic and virtual lack of effective and visionary leadership situation in contemporary Nigeria and distills the golden gems: - principles, processes, procedures and practical applications inherent in effective, inspiring, visionary and enthusiastic leadership. It attempts at instituting, building and encouraging good, effective, and visionary leadership in the nation and that is currently, virtually lacking. From the outset, the author makes it clear that this writing is not designed to model or fit any known leadership paradigm, theory or management style. Rather, based on relevant research on leadership as it impacts the Nigerian situation, the book attempts to explore what it takes for there to be an effective and good leadership to successfully lead and change Nigeria for the better. The book is written and organized in a way that reflects and captures the contemporary experiences, frustrations, psychological emotions, aspirations and hopes of every Nigerian and perhaps of promising politicians and future leaders who are honestly touched by the virtual vacuum of real and effective leadership in the country, their concerns, questions, dreams, and the expectations that have virtually gone unmet in the past more than half a century. Properly elucidating what leadership means, and differentiating it from rulership this book couldn't have come at a better time to assist Nigeria's leadership-struggles! A masterpiece, Dr. Nkwocha has taken the current apathetic leadership lull and almost leadership void in the nation and set the leadership principles and processes on the cutting edge. The book is a definitive guide to anyone aspiring to the leadership of Nigeria and is therefore in search of meaningful leadership, its principles, processes and pragmatic applications. The book is a must read!

Elections and Governance in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic is a book about Nigerian politics, governance and democracy. It at once encompasses Nigeria’s post-colonial character, its political economy, party formation since independence, the role of Electoral Commissions, as well as, indepth analyses of the 1999, 2003 and 2007 general elections that involved extensive fieldwork. It also presents aspects of the 2011 and 2015 general elections, while discussing the state of democratic consolidation, and lessons learned for achieving good governance in the country. It is indeed, a must read for students of politics, academics, politicians, statesmen and policy makers, and in fact, stakeholders in the Nigerian democracy project. The book stands out as a well-researched and rich documentary material about elections in Nigeria, and the efforts so far made in growing democracy.

An introduction to the politics and society of post-colonial Nigeria, highlighting the key themes of ethnicity, democracy, and development.