Leadership Deficiencies and Nigeria’s Infrastructure Development: An Evaluation
Keywords:
Democratic Government, Leader, Leadership Styles, Military Administration, National Development, Nigeria, Socio-Political Economic ReformAbstract
This qualitative case study aimed to assess the influence of leadership deficit on Nigeria’s public sector governance and infrastructure development, focusing on the slow pace of development in key sectors, particularly in the infrastructure sector, due to poor leadership and bureaucratic corruption. The study used transformational leadership theory and transformation and transition in governance as the most suitable conceptual framework. This qualitative case study explores the demographic and leadership deficits of Nigeria’s post-independence presidents from 1960 to 2023, focusing on infrastructural development. The analysis identifies periods of economic expansion, stagnation, or contraction, and investigates if these traits influenced Nigeria’s economic downturn and failure to become a developed nation. The study suggests that democratic governance can improve infrastructure governance by establishing and fortifying the right institutions. The National Development Plan has benefited infrastructure development, but implementation has been hampered by political unrest and the civil war. The research also examines governance and leadership theories, evaluating their impact on infrastructure growth. Nigeria has undergone several reforms since its independence, focusing on administrative, societal, and economic aspects. Economic reforms have been significant, but corruption remains a challenge. Political leadership is crucial for good governance, which is essential for infrastructure development. However, empirical studies have failed to establish a relationship between leadership, good governance, and infrastructure development.
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