More Social Services, Less Welfare: The Paradox of Social Services in Nigeria (Published)
All over the world, the cardinal objective of responsive and responsible government is the provision of social services that can improve the welfare of its citizens. Thus, the government is seen as the driving force as it mobilizes resources at its disposal to improve the welfare of its citizens. It follows that the provision of social services and by extension the improvement of the welfare of the citizens is a function of the capability of the government to mobilize resources at its disposal. However, the paper notes that the paucity of these resources in relation to population can be a limiting factor. It is the view of this paper that with commitment, dedication and prudent management of population growth and available resources on the part of the political elites, the provision of social services can actually improve the welfare of the citizens. The paper also notes that Nigerian political elites have not adequately demonstrated the commitment, dedication and prudent management of resources necessary for the improvement of the welfare of the citizens. Thus, the paper argues that the ineffectiveness of social services to improve the welfare of the citizens is largely dependent on the character of the Nigerian state which finds expression in the behavior of the political elites. The paper is set to achieve the following objectives: To show that Nigerian political elites are responsible for the ineffectiveness of social services in improving the welfare of the people. To show that good governance rooted in democracy can improve the welfare of the people. To evince that effective population growth management can improve the welfare of the citizens. The focus of this paper is guided by democratic elitism and relies on secondary sources. In line with the theory of democratic elitism, the paper contends that the few who rule must rule with the interest of the people at heart which must be couched in democratic values. The paper recommends that Nigerian political elites must uphold democratic values and promote good governance in order to improve on the welfare of the people.
Keywords: Less Welfare, Nigerian State., Paradox Democratic Elitism, Political Elites, Social Services
CONFLICT BETWEEN POLITICAL ELITES AND PUBLIC ADMINISTRATORS: IT’S GENESIS AND PUBLIC SERVICE REFORMS IN NIGERIA (Published)
The paper was able to identify what led to the differences and disagreements existing between the Political Elites and the Public Administrators in terms of who does what, when and how, as one of the core reasons for most of the abuses in the public service. Also identified by the paper were the abuses emanating from the various reforms in the public service, which invariably breed inefficiency and corruption. To ameliorate these, the paper recommended that the Nigerian public sector requires mental revolution of both the political elites and the public servants and also by both parties going back to the drawing board to clarify their positions as to who does what, how and when and the need to alienate the top public servants from politics.
Keywords: Nigeria, Political Elites, Public Administrators, Public Service Reforms