‘Whistle-blowing’ and the quandary of policy implementation in Nigeria

Abstract

Nigeria as a country has undergone series of economic policies and Programs to bring her economy back on track. These policies range from National Development Plan to the present day whistle-blowing policy. The whistle blowing policy was introduced by the administration of President Buhari in December, 2016, with a policy direction of recovering looted funds and to ensure transparency and accountability among public office holders, since corruption become endemic in the society. It is against this backdrop that this paper seeks to examine the policy of whistle-blowing, its fundamental objectives, its achievement by EFCC, factors militating against its implementation and the rationale for public policy failure in Nigeria. The paper concludes by noting that, public policy failure in Nigeria is rooted in political instability and inconsistency in implementation; and over ambitious and unrealizable policy goals as well as lack of consultation of relevant stakeholders in policy formulation. The paper recommended that: the fight against corruption should be done in a strategic way that will not bring shame and disgrace to the country; that government should ensure proper protection of Whistle-Blowers through the enactment of whistle blowers Protection Act by the National Assembly and proper consultation of stakeholders in policy formulation and implementation.

Keywords: Whistle-Blower, Whistle-blowing, Corruption, Public Policy formulation, policy implementation