Strategies for Effective Governance in Nigeria: University of Benin in Focus

Abstract

This paper presents strategies for effective governance in Nigeria with emphasis on the University of Benin.The question of good and effective governance has captured the attention of University Managers. Governing Councils of Universities have also made this issue a critical prerequisite in their quest for excellence. Accordingly, the issue of effective governance has gained universal currency as nations and international institutions seek appropriate mechanisms to enhance the role of government by making it more transparent, accountable, responsive and responsible to the constituencies in the 21st century. In the Nigeria nation, the greatest obstacle to the nascent democracy include the pervasive insecurity of lives and property, as evidenced by the spate of armed robbery attacks, political assassinations, power distribution coupled with the seeming helplessness of security agencies to handle criminal acts. The situation is worsened by the increasing number of unemployed Nigerians some of whom are ready recruits for criminal activities. The above statement from an editorial comment by a national daily in Nigeria epitomizes the central focus of this paper, the aim of which is to strategize on the effective governance in Nigeria nation. The paper painstakingly appraised many of these issues and concluded that all stakeholders in the federal polity should thread softly, be objective, rational, altruistic and magnanimous in order not to make the existence of true federalism (social, political and economic cohesive existence of the people, peace and tranquility) a fleeting illusion and a mirage. It also focused on critical issues of delegation of authority, why some leaders fail to delegate, the kind of crisis it has generated and the kind of measures that can ameliorate the ugly trend.

Key words: Governance, Politics, Council, Society, Nigeria, State.