Governance Deficit, Public Policy, and the Challenges of Public Administration in Nigeria

Abstract

To achieve the quality of governance, there must be synergy between the government and its civil service. The synergy between the duo is essential, in that, the former will be making policies, which the latter will interpret, for implementation. However, there has been a gap between the policies making and policy implementation, which has continued to culminate in policy summersault, hence, the deficit in governance. Given the foregoing, the study examines the place of civil servants in policy formulation and implementation; analyses the nexus between public policy and quality of governance, and identifies challenges hindering civil servants from effectively implementing government policies. The study relies on the authors' observation of governance events in Nigeria, and secondary data including textbooks, journals, official government documents, newspapers, and internet sources. The study data were analyzed using content analysis. On the place of civil servants in policy formulation and implementation, the study showed that civil servants provide policy advisory roles; give rational solutions to policy problems; offer advice to policymakers, and mediate between different interest groups and politicians, Concerning the nexus between policy-making and the quality of governance, the study revealed that good policies propel the quality of governance, as such, they help make the governance system more accountable and reasonable for the citizens. The study identified the challenges impeding the civil service from effectively implementing governmental policies including the non/low involvement of the civil servants in the policy planning process; the practice of making gains from the budget for social services; over-ambitious public policies and programmes; and inadequate /insufficient resources. Other challenges include a change in government; poor or ineffective communication; the disposition or attitude of public administrators; inefficient or poor bureaucratic structure, as well as; the social, political, economic, religious, and cultural environment. The study concluded that, as far, as the government and the civil service are not on the same page, concerning policy-making and policy implementation, the governance deficit will continue to subsist.