LEADERSHIP CRISIS AND THE PROBLEM OF UNDERDEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA 1960 TILL DATE

Abstract

Nigeria, a country richly endowed with natural resources and high quality human capital is yet to find its rightful place among the comity of nations. A major reason that has been responsible for her socioeconomic stagnation is the phenomenon of corruption. The basis of this research rest in the fact that political leadership and corruption were interrelated and it is against this background that it explored the corrupt tendencies of the political leadership class in Nigeria since 1960 and its implication for socioeconomic development.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

• Background of the study

The personal worth of any national government is the attainment of qualitative level of development as it is a crucial aspect of any nation’s drive to self-reliance. Lawal (2011) posited that development is a vital necessity to the growth and sustentation of any vibrant nation. Thus, for development to be ensured, socio-political and economic stability must be guaranteed at all levels of government as this will promote citizens natural attachment to the governing process. In as much as development is vital to any nation’s progress, Okereke & Ekpe (2002) observed that there has been an unequal level of development in the world and this has precipitated numerous scholarly debates and postulations explaining why some countries are more developed than others. Nigeria like most African countries is highly endowed with both human and natural resources, as well as rich in cultural heritage. Various administrations in Nigeria had during the past presented and attempted comprehensive plans which were geared towards achieving development in the state. These plans encapsulated programmes that were to enhance the general welfare of the citizens and the nation at large. In fact, development and growth has been government’s top priorities since the attainment of independence. This is because development planning can be seen as the only avenue where the allocation and utilization of resources can be adequately handled (Ibietan & Ekhosuehi, 2013). Whereas Robert L. Tignor (1993) in his work examined and discussed extensively political corruption in Nigeria from a historical point of view with heavy concentration on political developments in the country before independence and the activities of Nigerian nationalists vis-à-vis the colonial masters, this paper seeks to discuss the role of the political leadership class in the entrenchment of corruption in Nigeria from a historical-socio-economic perspective. The paper argues that the political leadership class in Nigeria cannot exonerate itself from the current travails of socio-economic underdevelopment in the country. It explores from a historical perspective the pernicious effect of corruption on public policy decisions, actions, and the management of collapsed infrastructure and the nation’s resources as well as its socio-economic implications to development. Attempt is made to assess the impact of the phenomenon of corruption on the social and economic wellbeing of the country as a whole. It must be mentioned here that the perspective offered in this paper does not exhaust all that there is to be discussed concerning corruption and political leadership in Nigeria. It will only approach the subject matter from the perspective of its contributions to public policy failure and its implications for socio-economic development. It is instructive to state that political leadership in the context of this paper refers not only to the government or to the leadership of an organized state, but embrace the totality of the political class that has the capacity to exert influence on the machineries of government even from behind the scene. Hence, this paper shall explicate on the contributions of both the military and the civilian leadership class that has managed and directed the affairs of the country since independence to the growth and institutionalization of corruption in Nigeria. This is a way of justifying the underlying thesis of this paper that the political leadership of the country since independence is responsible for entrenching corruption in Nigeria and, by extension, had impeded meaningful socio-economic development.

• STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The development of every nation is hinged on the quality of leadership of the said nation. Nigeria is the most populous black nation of the world that is endowed with enormous human and natural resources; ironically Nigeria is also one of the poorest nation and developing nation in Africa with an estimated population of 170million people. In view of all these  Nigeria has undergone diverse form of leadership crises from 1960 till date, with each phase of leadership coming up with diverse policy to foster development in the country, but at the tail end these policies fall short of objective. It is on this premise that the researcher decide to investigate leadership crises and the problem of underdevelopment in Nigeria

• OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

The main objective of the study is on leadership crises and the problem of underdevelopment in Nigeria. But for the purpose of the study the researcher intends to achieve the following objective

1. To ascertain the impact of leadership crises on the development of Nigeria.
2. To ascertain the relationship between leadership and economic development

• To ascertain the effect bad leadership on the economic growth of the country

1. To ascertain the role of leadership on the development of a country.
   • RESEARCH HYPOTHESES

For the purpose of the study, the following research hypotheses are formulated by the researcher

H₀: leadership crises has no significant impact on the development of Nigeria

H₁: leadership crisis have a significant impact on the development of Nigeria.

H₀²: there is no significant relationship between leadership crises and national development

H₂: there is a significant relationship between leadership crises and national development.

1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

It is believed that at the completion of the study, the findings will be useful to the federal government who are saddle with the responsibility of piloting the affairs of the country. the study will also be of great importance to state government as well as the local government to ensure that the deliver the dividend of democracy to the populace and effective utilization of state and federal resources to ensure developmental projects.

The study will also be beneficial to researchers who intends to embark on study in similar topic as the study will serve as a guide to their study. Finally the study will be beneficial to academia’s students and the general public.

1.6 SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

The scope of the study covers leadership crises and the problem of of underdevelopment in Nigeria. However in the cause of the study, the researcher encounters some constrain which limited the scope of the study;

(a)Availability of research material: The research material available to the researcher is insufficient, thereby limiting the study.

(b)Time: The time frame allocated to the study does not enhance wider coverage as the researcher has to combine other academic activities and examinations with the study.

(c)Finance: The finance available for the research work does not allow for wider coverage as resources are very limited as the researcher has other academic bills to cover.

1.7 DEFINITION OF TERMS

Leadership

Leadership is both a research area and a practical skill encompassing the ability of an individual or organization to “lead” or guide other individuals, teams, or entire organizations. The literature debates various viewpoints: contrasting Eastern and Western approaches to leadership, and also (within the West) US vs. European approaches

Corruption

 Corruption is a form of dishonest or unethical conduct by a person entrusted with a position of authority, often to acquire personal benefit.^[1] Corruption may include many activities including bribery and embezzlement, though it may also involve practices that are legal in many countries

Underdevelopment

Underdevelopment, relating to international development, reflects a broad condition or phenomena defined and critiqued by theorists in fields such as economics, development studies, and postcolonial studies.

1.8 Organization of the study

This research work is organized in five chapters, for easy understanding, as follows Chapter one is concern with the introduction, which consist of the (overview, of the study), statement of problem, objectives of the study, research question, significance or the study, research methodology, definition of terms and historical background of the study. Chapter two highlight the theoretical framework on which the study its based, thus the review of related literature. Chapter three deals on the research design and methodology adopted in the study. Chapter four concentrate on the data collection and analysis and presentation of finding.  Chapter five gives summary, conclusion and also recommendations made of the study.

Reference

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Governments’ Commissions of Inquiry Reports and Accompanying White Papers from 1920 to 1986. Government Publications Review.Vol. 20, Issue 3 (p.297 – 358).  Anti-Corruption Initiatives in Sub-Saharan Africa. In Findings: Best Practice Infobrief, Africa· Region, No. 38 (March 1999).

Asaju, T. (2003). “The Road to Yellow House.” Newswatch, December 22.  Atwood, J. B. (1998). “Corruption: A Persistent Development Challenge.”

Economic Perspectives: An Electronic Journal of the U.S. Information Agency.  Chemers, M. M. (2002). Cognitive, Social, and Emotional

Intelligence of Transformational Leadership: Efficacy and Effectiveness.

1. E. Riggio, S. E. Murphy, F. J. Pirozzolo (eds.), Multiple Intelligences and

Leadership. Mahwah, New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.  Daily Times (1966, January 16). The Editorial Column

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