Author: Olu Jeremiah, Emmanuel O. Okon & Ekere J. Daniel
Volume: 59 Issue No:3 Year:2017

Abstract: With a population of about 173 million people, Nigeria is the largest country in West Africa and accounts for 47% the region’s population. It is also the biggest oil exporter in Africa, with the largest natural gas reserves in the continent. Thus, successive governments have vigorously pursued policies that would strengthen economic growth and development in Nigeria. However, despite the economic efforts of past and present governments, Nigeria is yet to achieve basic economic aspirations. The review of journals, newspapers, bulletins, magazines, blogs, internet sites, etc., done in this paper showed that the inability to perform adequately emanates from the apparent structural deficiencies in governance as well as the ineffective regulatory institutions that are weak in their operational mechanisms and fraught with controversies over the discharge of their responsibilities. If diversification has to be successful, this paper argues that a total transformation of the process of producing appropriate leadership is essential to elect credible leaders who will extend attention to sectors of the economy other than the oil sector, in order for the country to attain desirable and sustainable development. To achieve this, the public sector, private sector and civil society have strategic roles to play.

JEL classification: O11, O38, O43