Non-inclusive Governance and Socio-Economic Inequality in Africa: Empirical Evidence from Nigeria

Okoli, Rowland Chukwuma and Ezechi, Kingsley C. (2019) Non-inclusive Governance and Socio-Economic Inequality in Africa: Empirical Evidence from Nigeria. ASRIC Journal of Social Sciences. pp. 1-24. (Submitted)

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Abstract

The practice of non-inclusive governance in most African countries by leaders who elevate favouritism above patriotism creates the domino effect of appropriating the collective patrimony of the state for themselves and their cronies. With this, the socio-economic schism that now exist between the rich and the poor have attained a disturbing and an alarming proportion. Nigeria presents a good example of a cronyist state that has systematically concentrated wealth in the hands of a few individuals at the expense of the larger population. This study examined the link between non-inclusive governance and the growing socio-economic inequality in Africa with focus on Nigeria. The study utilized secondary data which were analyzed qualitatively while the neopatrimonial theory was adopted to provide philosophical underpinnings for the study. The study found that Nigeria is replete with the markings and trappings of this socio-economic malaise, instituted to deeply pauperise the citizens, thereby making socio-economic development progressively slow or even non-existent in certain periods. The study also found that Nigeria has poor track record of budget implementation for its social spendings in the area of health, education and social welfare (IMF-World Bank, 2018). This exacerbates the inequality. The study therefore concludes and recommend that for Nigeria to achieve and attain the co-mingled socio-economic Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of 1, 8, 10 and 16, it must muster an unprecedented courage and will to exterminate cronyism in all its forms and manifestations.

Item Type: Article
Subjects: J Political Science > JF Political institutions (General)
Divisions: Faculty of Management and Social Sciences
Depositing User: miss Sylvia Onyia
Date Deposited: 25 Aug 2025 19:49
Last Modified: 25 Aug 2025 21:44
URI: http://eprints.gouni.edu.ng/id/eprint/5284

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