From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja

A Professor of Public Administration, Federal University, Lokoja, Olajide Ifedayo Ibietan has identified corruption, weak accountability and many other factors as responsible for the failure of Nigeria’s public bureaucracy.

He stated this when he delivered the 21 Inaugural lecture of the university with the topic, “Why Reforms fail In Nigeria’s Bureaucracy: A Public Administration’s perspective”

Professor Ibietan identified the issue of the Fraud Triangle as a factor or incentive for corruption in Nigeria saying that this thwarts reform initiatives and their effective implementation.

He noted that the weak public accountability mechanisms worsen the lame sanctions targeted at redressing this monster in Nigeria’s public bureaucracy, governance and public affairs.

He also identified ethical deficits in Nigeria’s public bureaucracy, despite numerous instruments/mechanisms for upholding moral rectitude as an obstacle to reform success in Nigeria’s public bureaucracy.

Professor Ibietan pointed out that lack of political will and inadequate funding of universities/research institutes is yet another factor militating against Nigeria’s public bureaucracy.

He disclosed that the following factors partly explain reform failure in Nigeria’s public bureaucracy: procedural infractions; weak and under-performing bureaucratic and governing institutions; policy outcomes reflecting poor quality decisions. Others include policy formulation and implementation that still follow top-bottom or top-down models which do not accommodate public interest, preferences and choices.

He made the following recommendations as lasting solutions: ” Fiscal discipline, robust financial management practices and effective utilisation of national and human resources are suggested at the central and sub-national governments.

“The leadership issue in reforms dictates the continuous strengthening of public accountability mechanisms and institutions that entrench transparency, public service ethos and commitment (political will) in Nigeria’s public affairs and governance stiffer penalties and objective or determined implementation of necessary sanctions are required to permanently address the hydra-headed monster of corruption. An illness that defies medication will ultimately kill Public-Private Partnership will enable governments (across tiers) to divest themselves of functions or services in which they have the least comparative advantage

“A culture of robust citizen engagement with leaders through constructive dialogue and feedback is a major platform for facilitating bottom-top approach to governance Conscious efforts towards a total de-politicisation of institutions saddled with ensuring moral rectitude, probity and accountability in Nigeria’s public sector should be made.

“Finally, there is a need for Academic Practitioners synergy obtainable in some countries (South Africa and Kenya) on the continent to solve problems in Nigeria’s public bureaucracy.”

The Vice Chancellor of the Federal University, Lokoja, Professor Olayemi Akinwumi in his address, described the topic of the inaugural lecture as crucial and timely as it dwells largely on the way Forward for Nigeria.

The Vice Chancellor noted  that the efforts to effectively reform our public institutions is a matter of national interest and commended the erudite lecturer, Professor Ibietan for the choice of his topic.

He said that the topic would no doubt go a long way in shaping the future of Nigeria’s politics and public service delivery.