REVIEWING THE CRISIS OF GOVERNANCE FOR DEVELOPMENT IN DEMOCRATIC NIGERIA

Abstract

Governance is an important instrument for accelerated development in all sectors of the nation. It is therefore imperative for states (Nigeria inclusive) wishing to realize, maintain or promote political, economic and social development to imbibe good governance which is indicative in rule of law, transparency, accountability, religion tolerance, social cohesion and absent of legitimacy crisis. While it is widely believed that bad governance is prevalent in autocratic and oligarchic system, it is evident now that bad governance does exist more in democracies particularly with African experience. The paper therefore reviews the concept of governance, and development in Nigeria using secondary data. The study revealed that, absence of good governance in Nigeria occasioned by corruption, violence, legitimacy crisis, religious and cultural disharmony and under development has been responsible for the failure of the country to achieve the desire development. The study concluded that until proactive measures are taken for the enthronement of good governance, transparency, accountability and rule of law, development will continue to elude the nation and the corporate existence of the nation will remained threatened.