CAUSES OF POLICY FAILURE IN NIGERIA

ABSTRACT

This study examined the causes of policy failure in Nigeria. The specific objectives of the study were to find out the causes of policy failure in Nigeria, ascertain the effects of policy failure on Nigeria economy development, examine the factors influencing the challenges of policy implementation in Nigeria, and find out possible ways of curbing the menace of policy failure in Nigeria. The research adopted the descriptive research design. This descriptive approach involves the normal gathering analysis and interpretations of a set of data so as to explain the underling factors that surrounds the problems which prompted the research. The instrument used for data collection for the study was a questionnaire and face-to-face interaction with respondents. The data collected was presented in a tabular form with focus on the major research, and was analyzed using simple percentage analysis. The findings from the study revealed that leadership corruption and ineptitude affects the content and quality of policy formulation in Nigeria, policies are often made for purpose of the selfish and egoistic interest of the political leaders in Nigeria, policies are sometimes made only to attract public acclaim and attention with less regards to their appropriateness in addressing given problems in Nigeria, most policy making goals in Nigeria are subordinated to the personal rewards and interests of the political leaders and their colleagues and that most policies in Nigeria are inappropriate and lack a well-defined objectives, programmes for their effective implementation and the study revealed that the undue pervasive political influence on the public bureaucracy pose a challenge to policy implementation in Nigeria.The study further recommended that all governments or administrations in Nigeria must ensure that there is continuity in policies and programmes. Regime change should never be allowed to affect public policies and programmes else it would be a barrier to improvement of the lives of the people. Government is a continuum; adequate and proper structures and machineries should always be put in place to ensure proper implementation of policies in the country; appropriate institutions and agencies should be put in place to implement policies; policies must always be properly funded for successful implementation; parochial and primordial interests must be set aside when making and implementing policies in Nigeria. This is one of the bane of policy failures in Nigeria; and there should be provision for adequate monitoring of projects, to stop the problem of abandoned projects and to ensure the realization of policy goals.