Good Governance Index: Lingering Questions On The Deteriorating Governance In Nigeria

Nigeria’s poor socio-economic performance, human rights abuses, widespread poverty, insecurity, and corruption have not been unnoticed. Little wonder why the recent Global Governance Index ranked Nigeria as the third-worst nation in the world.

Nigeria was ranked 102nd out of 104 countries captured in the recent Inaugural Chandler Good Governance Index (CGGI) – a report that classifies countries based on government capabilities and outcomes. Precisely, Nigeria scored 0.319 points on a scale of 0, which is the lowest, to 1, which is the highest.

Considering the seven pillars the index focuses on; it implies that the Nigerian government is deteriorating in the following: leadership and foresight, robust laws and policies, strong institutions, financial stewardship, attractive marketplace, global influence and reputation, and helping people rise. 

It is sad that despite the long years of independence, Nigeria still battles with the challenge of good governance. The first pillar of the index centres on leadership and foresight, Has Nigerian leadership not been suffering from shortsightedness? Without a doubt, the country’s leadership has been engrossed with a lack of vision, ineptness, political bickering and gross corruption. These challenges have all grown to threaten the nation’s survival. 

Above all, corruption remains a considerable challenge eating deep into the Nigerian public administration, even though this is simply to admit the obvious – as it’s confirmed by the revelations of many probe panels set up on money laundering and other corrupt practices. 

Considering the second pillar, which robust laws and policies. Are Nigerian laws and policy robust? Are the policymakers able to design durable solutions for collective problems in the nation? No. Poverty, unemployment and inflation rates are still on the rise. Policy decisions should be capable of persisting over time to achieve pursued goals and the capacity to maintain effectiveness or functionality. Haven’t the policies been ineffective? Different government intervention against unemployment and poverty without visible results. This shouldn’t be surprising for a government that intends to lift millions out of poverty through N20,000 giveaways. 

How about the public institutions? Aren’t they so weak? Are competent and qualified citizens now considered over political loyalists and cronies for employment and appointment? Or the public institutions still remain a reward system by political godfathers?

Another consideration of the good governance index is financial stewardship. What do we say about the sinking revenue due to lack of economic diversification? Even the Nigerian states lack financial sustainability; they mostly rely on monthly allocation from the federal government, which is now being affected by subsidy- as NNPC couldn’t remit the usual ‘huge’ funds. How then can these governments help the people rise?

Attractive marketplace was also part of the pillars considered in the Inaugural Chandler Good Governance Index, but do we need to dwell on this at all? With the growing insecurity affecting a different part of the nation and over 750 students kidnapped in 6 months.

Indeed, lack of good leadership and prevailing corruption is responsible for Nigeria’s deteriorating governance, poor growth and development. The good governance index Is just another affirmation of the obvious, calling the government to act on its lagging in the seven pillars considered. The government should take deliberate actions, build better public institutions and ensure a better society for all.