Assessment of Policies or Prayers as Development Options in Nigeria

Abstract

Development options worldwide respond to pragmatic and concise policy statements that set the pattern and pace for actualizing development status for aspiring countries. However, contrarily, policy programmes that should be the bedrock of development have been replaced by prayers and religious activities carried out in contravention of what religion and religious writing specifies. Given the forgoing position, this paper examines issues boarding on the interplay between religion and development on the one hand and policies programmes which are the bedrock for development endeavours undertaken by the government and development outcomes which are consequent upon the careful implementation of policy programs on the other. The research discovered that rather than formulate and adhere strictly to policies that will propel development across the Nigerian State, the human tendencies for quick results have made both leaders and the citizens seek prayers as alternatives to policies for achieving societal development and, by implication, the overall development of the country. The paper adopts Rostow's theory of economic development and rationale actor model of policymaking as its framework of analysis. It employs secondary data sources, including journals, articles and internet material. It recommends that the prospect of development in Nigeria is consequent upon good economic and policy programmes, which are fundamental ingredients for the development of the individual and, by implication, the country's various states.