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| Mixed pictures of event |
A Professor of Public Administration at Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa, Prof. Ehiyamen Osezua, has said Nigeria’s path to sustainable development lies in rebuilding credible institutions anchored on merit, accountability and results-driven governance.
Osezua made the assertion on Tuesday while delivering the institution’s 11th inaugural lecture titled “Governing Without Results: Public Administration, Leadership and Institutional Failure in Nigeria. Quo Vadis?”
The don maintained that national progress would not be achieved through individual brilliance alone but through strong institutions capable of withstanding manipulation and consistently delivering value to citizens.
He noted that Nigeria’s major challenge was not a lack of resources or human capacity, but the inability to effectively deploy them with integrity, discipline and strategic direction.
According to him, the consequences of weak leadership and administrative lapses have continued to manifest in economic decline and declining public trust.
Osezua identified key impediments to national development to include leadership deficit, corruption, bureaucratic inefficiency, weak judicial structures, political opportunism and disconnection between government and citizens.
Despite the challenges, he expressed optimism that the situation could be reversed through deliberate reforms in governance and public administration.
The professor called for the restoration of merit-based recruitment and promotion in the public service, strict enforcement of ethical standards, and stronger accountability mechanisms across Ministries, Departments and Agencies.
He also advocated the adoption of results-based governance, expansion of digital administration, reduction in the cost of governance, and a shift in public spending towards development-oriented projects.
Osezua further stressed the need to deepen democratic practices, tackle corruption decisively, and rebuild citizens’ trust through efficient service delivery.
He urged a redefinition of the roles of academia, traditional institutions and religious bodies in driving national transformation, while also calling for structural adjustments to strengthen Nigeria’s federal system.
In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Temi Ologunorisa, described the lecture as insightful and timely, urging policymakers to consider its recommendations as part of efforts to address governance challenges in the country.
The event attracted academics, government officials, traditional rulers, religious leaders, students and other stakeholders.
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