Nigeria’s Leadership Deficit As Nation’s Albatross

Abstract

Nigeria leadership prospects on the continent have come under scrutiny over leadership deficit at both the national and sub-national levels. While this leadership deficit continues to be a setback, this leadership deficit is now the greatest hindrance to the development of the country. The methodology of this paper is analytical, with case studies drawn from successive political office holders who appear unprepared for the office they occupy. This is done to spotlight the leadership deficit that the country faces with a view to finding lasting solutions to the issue. Findings revealed that the leadership deficit that the country faces today is chiefly attributable stems from the faulty leadership recruitment process in the country. The rushed transition in 1960 and 1999 ensured that persons who emerged at the national and sub-national levels for both executive and legislative positions were largely unprepared for the challenge of office, nor had the requisite knowledge and skills required to steer the ship of nationhood. The paper concludes that leadership is the greatest albatross that the nation is confronted with today, taking a toll on governance and development. This paper recommends the discontinuation of the current model of recruiting leaders. It also recommends the establishment of new institutes and as well as expansion of the scope of the existing to train prospective leaders in the art and skills of leadership in order to turn around the fortunes of the country.