Leadership Challenge in Africa: A Case Study of Nigeria, 1960-2015

Abstract

The failure of leadership in Africa after independence to address the question of underdevelopment in the continent have manifested into problems bedeviling African States like; increasing crime wave, drug trafficking, advanced fee fraud, terrorism, economic crisis, political instabilities, etc. The work therefore, shows the political systems and primordial attachment that help to build the leadership in Africa and it resultant issues that lead to the poor performance of African leaders especially Nigerian leaders in governance since independence. The work narrates a general view of African States leadership and reasons why in spite of the challenges of the crisis of under development in the continent of Africa leadership performance have been so poor. It shows the sit light nature of Nigerian leaders in governance even when they are performing poorly, the use of ethno-religious sentiments as measures to either remain in power or as means to acquire political power and use it for selfish reasons. The study also gives tips on the various leaders that mounted the leadership of Nigeria since independence in 1960. The research will adopt analytical and descriptive method in its findings and anchoring the study on games theory. The work concludes that there is nothing wrong with the political systems in practice in Africa. The struggle to acquire power by our politicians or military personnel at all cost by using or generating sentiments in order to be in control of the resources and the people is where the problems is in the continent of Africa - as there is no personal zeal to leave the legacy of an exemplary leadership.