Main Article Content
Nigeria and the Political Economy of Underdevelopment: Focus on Selected Issues
Abstract
There are several manifestations of underdevelopment in the political economy and, in general, the governance of several countries in Africa. Unlike most parts of Europe, United States of America, Australia that are advanced in development, and even Asia where remarkable economic growth is rapidly paving the way for development; especially through the provision of essential amenities in health services, education, potable water and energy among others, the political economy of Africa is yet to lay a sufficiently solid foundation for sustainable development.
Using Nigeria, for the obvious reasons of its huge human and material endowments as well as the comparative advantage of its ethnic diversity; as a case study, this paper attempts to critically examine some of the probable causes of under development in Africa. It focuses particular attention on leadership failure and general abuse of official privileges that have, over the years, combined to exacerbate the problems of corruption, the culture of impunity and "big manism." The paper notes that these are at the core of the problematic issue of underdevelopment in most parts of the African continent.
Data for this study will essentially be gathered from secondary materials. In other words, its methodology will be narrative, descriptive and analytical. It adopts an eclectic framework of analysis, which combines prominent explanations on the colonial origin of the state in Nigeria, the subsequent emergence of mostly ill-prepared political and economic leaders as well as the effects of all of these on the country's public policy processes. While emphasizing Nigeria's fourteen-year old democratization, which began with renewed hope in 1999; for examples of contemporary challenges that have confronted the country, it also draws on examples of best practices, effective leadership and development oriented programmes from across the world, in making its suggestions for Nigeria and many other parts of Africa.
Keywords: Political economy, underdevelopment, leadership
Using Nigeria, for the obvious reasons of its huge human and material endowments as well as the comparative advantage of its ethnic diversity; as a case study, this paper attempts to critically examine some of the probable causes of under development in Africa. It focuses particular attention on leadership failure and general abuse of official privileges that have, over the years, combined to exacerbate the problems of corruption, the culture of impunity and "big manism." The paper notes that these are at the core of the problematic issue of underdevelopment in most parts of the African continent.
Data for this study will essentially be gathered from secondary materials. In other words, its methodology will be narrative, descriptive and analytical. It adopts an eclectic framework of analysis, which combines prominent explanations on the colonial origin of the state in Nigeria, the subsequent emergence of mostly ill-prepared political and economic leaders as well as the effects of all of these on the country's public policy processes. While emphasizing Nigeria's fourteen-year old democratization, which began with renewed hope in 1999; for examples of contemporary challenges that have confronted the country, it also draws on examples of best practices, effective leadership and development oriented programmes from across the world, in making its suggestions for Nigeria and many other parts of Africa.
Keywords: Political economy, underdevelopment, leadership
