governance in Nigeria

Democracy and Good Governance

political system

Democracy in Nigeria has come a long way in the past two and half decades with four transitional elections and as many as over 10 million registered voters (Aremu, 2014). On May, 29th 1999 the country restored civil democratic rule after a protracted military rule that lasted for more than three decades. Since then, the democratic system including the structures meant to consolidate it have experienced some stress mainly due to the hang-over effect of the prolonged military rule whose common denominator was the lack of democracy, accountability and good governance [1] .
The abuse of these time-honoured principles of governance was legendary and its negative impact on Nigerian’s politics is better imagined than stated. Thus, after two and half decades of a return to democratic rule in Nigeria, the country is not anywhere near the realization of the ideals of good governance, which is the natural accomplishment of democratic rule. In Nigeria, the exhilaration generated by widespread dehumanizing poverty and under development; insecurity; corruption; mass illiteracy; unemployment; amongst others has created mixed feelings about the desirability or otherwise of democracy.
Democracy in Nigeria is going through difficult times as viable democratic institutions such as credible electoral system; independent judiciary, rule of law, etc are yet to take root in the country in the face of such flaws like massive corruption in every facet of the nation’s public life. These flaws in the system have become worryingly visible giving rise to disillusion with politics. The ability of the democratic system to transform the lives of the people is dependent on its provision of adequate mechanisms for the smooth conduct of elections that culminate in the transfer of power from one regime to another. This is an area, which Nigeria is still not performing to expectations.
The lack of credible election has resulted in the erosion of political legitimacy on the part of public office holders. For instance, the 2003 and 2007 elections in the country were marred by brazen electoral frauds. Where democracy is devoid of credible elections, good governance is negated and the sovereignty of the people is relegated to the background if not completely denied. The result is that majority of the people would become subservient to the whims and caprices of the political actors who are shielded from any legal action by the immunity clause; hence they conduct themselves based on their proclivities. Even with the noticeable improvement in the freedom of speech and respect for the rule of law, the effort of the government in establishing a peaceful democratic society has been bedeviled with problems. Some of these problems are systemic and therefore, have much to do with the way the institutions of democracy are used for expediency. Others are attitudinal and hence, the result of the failure of the Nigerian state and the political elite to change their attitude of “business-as-usual” with zero impact; and cultivate a new mindset that conforms with democratic principles.
Thus, Nigerians are not only disenchanted and disillusioned with the way and manner the government is toying with the public affairs but also lost hope in the leadership of the country at all levels of government. As Achebe (2004) decried the situation, “I am disappointed with Nigeria… Nigeria is a country that doesn’t work”. In a true democracy, the will of the people is the basis of the authority of government. Nigeria operates a nominal democracy in which it maintained the outward appearance of democracy through elections but without the rights and institutions that are equally important aspects of a functioning democratic system. Indeed, democracy and good governance are the bases for legitimacy, social mobilization and development because of their responsiveness to the yearnings and aspirations of the poor majority of the population. Good governance translates into the provision of basic infrastructures, access to medical and health-care services, educational, industrial, and agricultural development of the society, and above all, the institutionalization of the rule of law.

Key ministers :

• President: Goodluck Jonathan
• Vice-President: Namadi Sambo
• Agriculture and Natural Resources: Akinwunmi Adesina
• Defence: Bello Mohammed
• Education: Ruqayyatu Rufai
• Finance: Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala
• Foreign affairs: Olugbenga Ashiru
• Health: Christian Otu Onyebuchi
• Information: Labaran Maku
• Interior: Abba Moro
• Justice and Attorney-general of the Federation: Mohammed Bello Adoke
• Labour: EmekaWogu
• Mines and Steel: Musa Mohammed Sada
• National Planning: Shamsudeen Usman
• Niger Delta Affairs: Godsday Orubebe
• Petroleum: Diezani Alison-Madueke
• Power: Bart Nnaji
• Trade and Investment: Olusegun Aganga
• Transport: Idris Umar
• Works: Mike Onolememen
• Youth Development: Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi
• Central Bank Governor: Lamido Sanusi

Decentralization

At independence in 1960, Nigeria was a federation of three autonomous and powerful regions, Northern, Western, and Eastern. In 1963 the Midwestern State was created, increasing the number of regions to four. A republican constitution and federal system of government with a three tier structure made up of federal state and local government was adopted in the same year. In 1967 the regions were abrogated and 12 states were created. The number of states increased to 19 in 1976, 21 in 1987, and 36 in 1991. There were 449 local government areas in 1990, which have now risen to 774. The 1999 constitution devolves to the state and local governments the primary responsibility of providing education, health, and other basic services and mandates the Federal Government to allocate approximately one third of federal revenues to these entities. The sub-national governments thus now have control over substantial resources but lack the capacity to manage the resources effectively.
The process of decentralization has not worked well at the local government level. Through a benchmarking exercise the Federal Government is trying to get states to adopt policies that are in line with NEEDS. To strengthen inter-government policy coordination, all 36 states have now developed their own programs called State Economic Empowerment Development Strategy (SEEDS) and at the local government level development strategies are being developed called Local Economic Empowerment Development Strategy (LEEDS). Through the SEEDS, the government is trying to engage the states, with a view to deepening reforms at the level of sub-national governments, particularly in the areas of public expenditure management, debt management, tax reforms, and privatization. However, there is great disparity between the various local government entities in terms of resource endowment and financial and human resources. This needs to be addressed. [2]

[1] Volume XV Issue III Version I Global Journal of Human Social Science © 2015 Global Journals Inc. (US) - 3 Year 2015 ( ) F Democracy and Good Governance in Nigeria: Challenges and Prospects
[2] AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT FUND FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA COUNTRY GOVERNANCE PROFILE

Source: BBC

Bilateral/UN Agencies, international NGOs and other relevant stakeholders:

Nigeria as a lot of African countries needed international help during the last decades. This help mainly came from western countries. In history Nigeria was one of the first country asking for international help in its modern form. It was in the 70’s with the Biafra crisis. That explains the strong presence of the UN and UN-related NGOs in the region. It’s notably the case of the UNDP. Nigerian leaders have pledged to achieve the Millennium Development Goals, including the overarching goal of cutting poverty in half, by 2015. UNDP's network links and coordinates global and national efforts to reach these Goals. Its mandate in Nigeria is rooted in the Agreement with the Government of Nigeria, under an ongoing Country Programme Action Plan which aims to contribute towards achieving Nigeria’s long-term Vision of sustainable socio-economic and political development. The Agreement requires UNDP[1] to support and supplement national efforts at solving the most important problems relating to democratic governance, economic development, social progress and sustainable livelihoods.
As a signatory to the Millennium Declaration, Nigeria has continued to respond in various ways to the global push towards achievement of the MDGs. Actions have included incorporating the targets in development plans, starting with the National Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (NEEDS) in 2004, and subsequently in the various State-level Economic Empowerment and Development Strategies. MDG targets and programmes have been mainstreamed in successive development plans, strategies and sector-specific policies, including the Seven Point Agenda in 2007, the Economic Transformation Agenda, and the Nigeria Vision 20:2020 First Implementation Plan 2010–2013[2]. Some states of the federation have also made significant progress with MDGs-based planning with the support of the Federal Government and international development partners. The MDGs report series progressively tracks the achievements and challenges towards the MDGs' 2015 targets.
Great concern has been expressed by professional, NGO’s and Federal Govt. of Nigeria of the magnitude of the problem posed by child trafficking in Africa and Nigeria in particular. A lot of workshops, conferences, media briefings to discuss issues such as child trafficking, child labour, policy responses to child trafficking, HIV/AIDS, poverty, political/socio-cultural challenges, lack of vocational and economic opportunities for youth, with a view to finding a lasting solution. The most recent being the 4th African regional conference on Child Abuse and Neglect with theme "Child Trafficking: A challenges to Child Protection in Africa."
The contribution of UNICEF, Global March and other international donor agencies in ensuring that the millennium development goals for children are met and sustained cannot be overemphasized. These international agencies are seriously working with Federal Government of Nigeria and other partners to address various child related issues peculiar to our country. The issues include male female disparity in education as well as north south educational disparity; boys school dropout; child labour; child prostitution; HIV/AIDS orphans, mother to child transmission of HIV and child trafficking. The last five years have witnessed a considerable improvement. Unlike before, the environment for mounting a national response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic is now more positive. At first the response was entirely donor-driven and donor-funded but now multi-sectoral, multi-disciplinary and country-driven with the involvement of Government and Civil Society, as well as the donor community.
Presently there is a coalition of NGOs called NACCRAN[3], which works through various means to monitor the legislation, policies, and development of services for the Nigerian child. Politicians at community, local, state and federal levels are being lobbied to alter, develop or change laws and regulations concerning services and quality of life for the Nigerian child.
The society places great emphasis on age and status. There is generally a hierarchical social order with the eldest at the top and children at the bottom. The famous adage that a child should be seen and not heard sums up how many Nigerians regard the idea of children’s participation. The African child is reared so as not to question the wisdom of parents, but to maintain a lifelong obedience to the authority that age confers. Now, things are taking a new shape. Children are now gradually being involved in various activities both at local and state levels as well as at the national level. The establishment and inauguration of children parliament in Nigeria both at state and national level has further enhanced the participatory rights of children. The children parliament played active role in advocacy for the passage of the child’s rights bill into law. They are currently at the centre stage of ensuring that the bill is passed into law at the state level.
At last the child’s rights bill has been passed into law by the National Assembly. It was initiated during the military era, the bill suffered two major set backs before its final destination. The first one during General Abdulsalami’s regime, and the second in 2003 during the lifetime of the immediate past National Assembly. Due to a number of absurd reasons the National Assembly threw away the child’s rights bill but following the concerted efforts of NGOs, Government and Civil society with significant role played by ANPPCAN the bill was reintroduced into the House and it was eventually passed into law.

Inventory list of most important NGOS[4]

BRAC
The Wikimedia Foundation
Acumen Fund
Danish Refugee Council
Partners in Health
Ceres
CARE International
Médecins Sans Frontières
Cure Violence
Mercy Corps
Apopo
Root Capital
Handicap International
IRC
Barefoot College
Landesa
Ashoka
One Acre Fund
Clinton Health Access Initiative
Heifer International

Special nation/based and international partnerships/programs

Nigeria has developed partnerships with a lot of western countries and international organization as proven above (see the importance of NGOs in the country). Nigeria’s most important partner remains the US. One example is the Global Health Initiative (GHI)[5] is positioned to build upon the priorities of the Government of Nigeria and the Nigerian private sector, the successes of U.S. health assistance programs to date, and the rich collaboration that the United States has with other development partners and donors. The launch of GHI coincided with the development of the Government of Nigeria’s National Strategic Health Development Plan 2010–2015. The plan provides a framework with which other existing Nigerian policies, strategies, programs, and partnerships are to be aligned. The EU is also struggling in Nigeria to help locals, but generally it wouldn’t act alone but rather hand in hand with NGO or international organizations. An example is the project "Scaling up services for mental, neurological and substance use (MNS) disorders"[6] is part of the European Commission EuropeAid: “Investing in People – Good health for all – Supporting prevention and control of non-communicable diseases in developing countries”. This call recognizes that very few initiatives have been directed at mental health conditions in developing countries. World Health Organization is partnering with the European Commission (EC), the Ministries of Health of Ethiopia and Nigeria, Fondation d'Harcourt (in Ethiopia) and Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Spain to support mhGAP implementation in the two countries

[1] UNDP Nigeria
[2] NIGERIA 2013 MDGs REPORT
[3] NGO PERIODIC REPORT FOR NIGERIA
[4] Global : the global journal
[5] Nigeria Global Health Initiative Strategy 2010 – 2015 United States Government Interagency Team
[6] World Health Organization