AN ASSESSMENT OF THE IMPLICATION OF LEADERSHIP DEFICIT ON INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

Leadership issue is evident within Nigeria. It has been a subject of considerable scrutiny and criticism over the years due to a variety of challenges and complexities. The country has a diverse and complex political landscape, and its leadership structures have evolved since gaining independence from British colonial rule in 1960. Usman(2019), pointed out that Nigeria operates as a federal republic with a presidential system of government. It consists of three tiers: the federal government, state governments, and local governments. At the federal level, the President is both the head of state and head of government (Olomola, 2018). However, Nigeria has struggled with widespread corruption among its political leaders and civil servants, which has hindered development and eroded public trust.

The term “leadership deficit” refers to the lack of effective and accountable leadership at various levels of government and in public institutions. Leadership deficits often result in a lack of accountability. When leaders are not held accountable for their actions, they have little incentive to prioritize infrastructure development (Tahum, 2018). Similarly, it can result to lack of a long-term vision for infrastructural development. Projects may be initiated without proper planning and feasibility studies, leading to poor outcomes and wasted resources. Infrastructure can be described as the fundamental basis of all the aspects and activities of an organized society in both social and economic dimension. It is the basic physical and organization structures needed for the operation of a society and the economy(WIR,2018).

Additionally, the importance of infrastructure to all economies cannot be over emphasized. The vitality, development, sustainability and efficiency of economic activities in a country are based on adequate infrastructure. Investment activities largely depend on infrastructure which is also the perquisite for economic and social growth. (World Investment Report (WIR), 2008 p 87). A prerequisite for economic and social development is the provision of good quality infrastructure services. (WIR, 2008 p87). A pace of development is set by adequate and effective provision of infrastructures. This is what creates huge gaps between developing and developed countries.

Further more, poor infrastructure has constrained the integration of Africa into the global trading environment (Kaberuka, 2018). The economic growth in Nigeria is retarded by poor delivery of infrastructures while the biggest challenge to the investment climate is still the nation’s infrastructure. Manufacture, industries, petty traders and business operators are all variously negatively affected by lack of adequate infrastructure. Therefore, a survey will be conducted in order to assess the implication of leadership deficit on infrastructural development in Nigeria.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Leadership deficit in Nigeria has cause a systematic decay in all the infrastructure sectors in Nigeria thereby contributing to the instability and poor growth in the economic system. Critical infrastructures; power, road, and rail have posed great challenges to investors seeking to explore the tremendous business opportunities in Nigeria. The lack of these basic amenities also have a direct impact on the daily activities of Nigerians by crippling economic activities because the cost of doing business in Nigeria is so high and counterproductive that the investment output is low. However,  regardless of whose responsibility it is to provide infrastructure services and to fund the infrastructure industries, it becomes a priority for the government to encourage different forms of investments in this sector including private investment by utilizing different strategies including forms of public private partnerships in order to solve this fundamental problem.Therefore,it is in the light of these that the study seeks to assess the implication of leadership deficit on infrastructural development in Nigeria.

1.3  Objectives of the Study

The main purpose of this study is to assess the implication of leadership deficit on infrastructural development in Nigeria. Specifically, the study will;

1.        Determine whether there is a significant relationship between leadership deficit and infrastructural development.

2.        Identify the factors contributing to the leadership deficit in Nigeria.

3.        Assess the implication of leadership deficit on Infrastructural development in Nigeria

1.4 Research Questions

The following questions have been prepared for the study:

1.        Is there a significant relationship between a leadership deficit and infrastructural development?

2.        What factors are contributing to the leadership deficit in Nigeria?

3.        What are the implications of a leadership deficit on infrastructural development in Nigeria?

1.5 Research Hypothesis

Ho: There is no significant relationship between leadership deficit and infrastructural development.

Ha: There is a significant relationship  between leadership deficit and infrastructural development.

1.6  Significant of the Study

An assessment of the implication of leadership deficit on infrastructural development in Nigeria will be revealed to the government at various levels, policymakers, management, media houses and citizens in this study. It will additionally enlighten the government and policymakers on proper implementation of policies and corrupt practices that are major challenges to infrastructure development affecting the economic growth of Nigeria. Furthermore,  subsequent researchers will use it as a literature review. This means that other students who may decide to conduct studies in this area will have the opportunity to use this study as available literature that can be subjected to critical review. Invariably, the result of the study contributes immensely to the body of academic knowledge with regard to an assessment of the implication of leadership deficit on infrastructural development in Nigeria

1.7 Scope of the study

The scope of this study is boarded on an assessment of the implication of leadership deficit on infrastructural development in Nigeria. Empirically, this study will determine whether there is a significant relationship between leadership deficit and infrastructural development, identify the factors contributing to the leadership deficit in Nigeria and assess the implication of leadership deficit on Infrastructural development in Nigeria.

Geographically, the study will be delimited to residents of Gboyin local government, Ekiti state, Nigeria.

1.8 Limitation of the study

In the course of carrying out this study, the researcher experienced some constraints, which included time constraints, financial constraints, language barriers, and the attitude of the respondents.

In addition, there was the element of researcher bias. Here, the researcher possessed some biases that may have been reflected in the way the data was collected, the type of people interviewed or sampled, and how the data gathered was interpreted thereafter. The potential for all this to influence the findings and conclusions could not be downplayed.

More so, the findings of this study are limited to the sample population in the study area, hence they may not be suitable for use in comparison to other schools, local governments, states, and other countries in the world.

\1.9 Definition of Terms

Leadership: the leaders of an organization, country, etc.

Deficit: is synonymous with a shortfall or loss and is the opposite of a surplus. A deficit can occur when a government, company, or person spends more than it receives in a given period, usually a year.

Infrastructure: the basic systems and services that are needed in order to support an economy, for example, transport and communication systems and electricity and water.