Challenges and strategies for the implementation of public policies by bureaucrats in the federal republic of Nigeria

Abstract

Over the years in Nigeria, numerous brilliant policies have been formulated and implemented. Yet there is apparent and significant development to show for that as evidenced by the fact that Nigeria has continued to remain in the category of the Least Developed Countries of the world. The study utilized documentary research design and secondary sources of data collection. This suggests that mere formulation of policies should become not the major issue in Nigeria but rather their effective implementation as it is only effectively implemented policies that can bring about national development. Against this background, the study explored the importance of public policy in governance and public administration-generally, deeply discussed public bureaucracy and its role in policy implementation, critically examined and analysed the key Challenges inhibiting the public bureaucracy in Nigeria from effectively implementing policies. In carrying out the study, the secondary sources of information or data gathering were mostly relied on and consequently, content analysis technique was adopted in the analysis. Problems to effective policy implementation by the public in this country include the ineffective and corrupt political leadership under which the public bureaucracy the pervasive and deep-rooted corruption within the public bureaucracy and the pressure and influence of primordial demands and values on the bureaucracy which negatively affect implementation activities and processes. The study recommend that government should work towards ensuring the evolvement of both purposeful and responsible political and bureaucratic leaderships as well as the realization of politics and administration dichotomy study in order to create room for the bureaucracy to operate and implement policies essentially on the basis of laid down ideal bureaucratic rules and principles.