A scholar at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Professor Ali S. Yusufu Bagudu, has proposed the adoption of a new policy framework to move the country forward.
Bagudu, a senior lecturer in the Department of Public Administration spoke on Monday in the university’s 32nd Inaugural Lecture held in Abuja.
Titled, ‘State-building Experiments in Nigeria’s Multi-ethnic Society: Policy Pillars for Achieving Pre-set Triple National Goals’ he traced the country’s political and administrative evolution, while examining the patterns and outcomes of various state-building efforts since independence.
The lecturer examined what he described as Nigeria’s pre-set triple national goals embedded in unity, security, and development and the persistent gap between aspiration and achievement, noting that the country’s multi-ethnic nature, while a potential source of strength, has often presented complex challenges in governance and national cohesion.
He proposed the pillars that included Inclusive and Adaptive Federalism which is a call for genuine power devolution that respects ethnic identities while reinforcing national integration, Participatory Democracy which strengthens civic engagement and citizen accountability in policy-making, merit-driven public service reform which ensures that institutions are run by competent professionals not political patronage.
Others, he said, are civic education and national orientation which are revival of value-based education to instill patriotism and shared purpose and strategic human capital investment, which particularly emphasises on education, youth and innovation.
The don concluded with a message that state-building must be a shared responsibility driven by visionary leadership, inclusive policies and a commitment to national ideals.
Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of NOUN, Professor Olufemi Peters, emphasised the significance of inaugural lecture series in showcasing the depth of research and intellectual capacity within the university’s academic community.
He lauded Bagudu’s contributions to the field of public administration and governance, describing his work as timely and very relevant to Nigeria’s contemporary challenges.
“This lecture is not only an academic tradition but also a platform for advancing public discourse on issues of national interest.
“In a country as richly diverse as Nigeria, the task of building a stable and united state is a complex one. It requires clear-headed policies, inclusive governance, and above all, a shared vision of nationhood.
“That is why the theme of this lecture is not only academically engaging but also nationally urgent.”
He congratulated the lecturer on attaining the significant academic milestone and encouraged other scholars within the university to continue to engage in high impact research that addresses Nigeria’s pressing developmental challenges.