GOVERNANCE GAP IN NIGERIA: CAUSES, CONSEQUENCES: IMPLICATIONS FOR SOCIETAL DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

This study examined Governance Gap in Nigeria: Causes, Consequences and Implications for Societal Development.  Two research questions guided the study; descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. The population of the study was 23000 academic staff of the public universities in South-East Nigeria. The sample comprised of 400 academic staff of the universities. The sample was composed using the simple random sampling . Data collected were analyzed using mean. Findings of the study  showed that causes of governance in gap in Nigeria are corruption, ethnic and religious bigotry, poor economic policies, none enforcement of rule of law, poor infrastructural development, systemic inefficiency, weak institutions and  poor educational structure .  The consequences are poor national image, poor living conditions of the citizens, poor economy, weak  economic and political system, deep seated systemic corruption, poverty and inequality, impunity and partial justice, undermining sustainable development goals and  public and private sector non-functionality. The study concluded  thatbecome a bane to national development and the citizens of the nation failing to achieve their aims. Given this, this study that has undertaken to examine the causes and consequences of governance gap in Nigeria succinctly concluded  that Nigeria if not properly managed in terms of its governance will continue to witness different dimensions of governance consequences which  will have effects on the citizens of the nation. The study recommends that that government in Nigeria should enforce the principles of separation of power to enable checks and balances as this is the only way to make sure that each government agency, organs and institutions are working to meet the demands  of the people in terms of governance. It is also through this that corruption and other systemic malfeasance is curbed.