BSU Sets Agenda for Promoting Good Governance, Strong Institutions

Given its tremendous natural and human resources, Nigeria has no business being labelled as a poor country, save for the gaps in leadership. The second international conference of the faculty of management sciences of the Benue State University aims to reverse this trend, writes Ofoyeju Mitchell

The second international conference, organised by the Faculty of Management Sciences of the Benue State University (BSU), Makurdi, has called on leaders at various levels to promote good governance through an effective anti-corruption campaign and the building of strong institutions in the country. The significance and relevance of the academic gathering with the theme: ‘Unlocking the Potential of Management Sciences for Sustainable Good Governance’ in contemporary society lie in its ability to address critical issues and provide solutions related to governance and management.

Good governance is essential for the smooth functioning of societies and organisations, and it directly impacts societal well-being and long-term development. In today’s complex and interconnected world, the challenges related to governance are multifaceted and require innovative approaches. Hence, one of the objectives of the conference was to shed light on these challenges and explore how management sciences can contribute to the development and implementation of sustainable, effective governance practices.

The Vice Chancellor of Benue State University, Professor Tor Joe Iorapuu, who declared the two-day conference opened on November 2, 2023, urged participants to take full advantage of the meeting by providing durable and pragmatic solutions to identified leadership gaps militating against good governance in the country. In his words, “let us bring back the academic culture of research and the provision of solutions to diverse challenges plaguing society by engaging in critical thinking. This will help us cope with the global high speed of academic development.” Professor Iorapuu, represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor of Academics, Professor Mike Odugbo Odey, also thanked the faculty of management sciences for taking the daring step of redefining academic priorities.

Equally speaking at the opening ceremony, the host and dean of the faculty of management sciences, Professor Timothy T. Alabar, pointed out that holding the conference at a time when the university was marking its 30th anniversary of academic excellence was apt. He therefore enumerated some of the characteristic traits that the nation must urgently exhibit. 

“Nigeria as a country needs to entrench good management principles in all tiers of governance that emphasise transparency, accountability, inclusivity, sense of community, tolerance, and responsiveness. This will help in creating trust, fairness, and respect for human dignity,” Alaba stated.

The chairman of the central organising committee, Dr. Kwaghfan Aondoakaa, explained that the ultimate objective of the conference was to develop practical solutions that transcend theoretical frameworks, thereby contributing to effective governance not only within our nation but also on a global scale.

By unlocking the potential of management sciences, the conference provided a platform for researchers, experts, and practitioners to exchange knowledge, share best practices, and propose strategies to enhance good governance. This interdisciplinary approach is crucial as it explores different perspectives to arrive at a comprehensive solution. The lead paper presenter and guest lecturer, Professor Tomola Marshal Obamuyi, fascinated participants as he provided valuable insights into the challenges of good governance and the way forward.

Furthermore, the summit highlighted the urgency of adopting governance practices that are environmentally, economically, and socially responsible. Sustainable good governance practices can contribute to mitigating climate change, reducing inequalities, promoting social justice, and ensuring the efficient use of resources. Among those in attendance were Professor Linus Chia, provost; Dr. Mrs. Mfaga Modom, registrar; Dr. Amos Egwurube Otse, bursar; Professor Innocent Isa Ekoja, Liberian; and Dr. Ochugudu Ipuele, Head of Department, Management Sciences; research fellows; and students.

Expectedly, the meeting displayed enormous potential to catalyse positive change in governance by fostering collaboration and inspiring stakeholders to implement the recommended solutions. This will ultimately enrich the overall well-being and long-term development of contemporary society. Some of the challenges of good governance include corruption and fraud, insecurity, political instability, a weak institutional framework, resource mismanagement, and a lack of citizen participation, among others.

Corruption remains a significant obstacle to good governance, hampering development efforts and undermining public trust. Insecurity compromises good governance by eroding trust and confidence in the government and its ability to maintain law and order. Social unrest, conflict, violence, and other forms of insecurity disrupt the functioning of institutions and hamper governance. In areas affected by insecurity, it becomes difficult for governments to effectively provide essential services, enforce regulations, and maintain functioning public infrastructure.

Furthermore, insecurity often creates conditions conducive to corruption, as individuals may exploit the unstable environment for personal gain. This can further impede good governance by eroding transparency, accountability, and the rule of law. It also hinders economic development by deterring investments, businesses, and tourism. It creates an uncertain and risky environment that discourages both domestic and foreign investments, leading to reduced economic growth and job opportunities. Insecurity not only directly impacts the safety and wellbeing of citizens but also threatens the foundations of good governance, hindering effective policymaking, service delivery, and socioeconomic development.

Weak institutions create an environment where corruption, a lack of accountability, and ineffective decision-making processes thrive. This hinders the ability of governments to make informed and effective policies, leading to a lack of trust in the government and a decline in public services. It often struggles to enforce the rule of law, resulting in impunity for those in power and a lack of justice for citizens. This again erodes public trust and endangers the legitimacy of the government.

In addition, weak institutions also hinder economic development. They create barriers to business growth and investment by creating an unpredictable and risky environment. This leads to reduced job opportunities and economic growth, as businesses may be hesitant to invest in countries with weak institutions. As a result, weak institutions hinder effective policymaking, service delivery, and socioeconomic development and contribute to a cycle of poverty, corruption, and instability.

Resource mismanagement can lead to a lack of transparency and accountability in public administration. When resources are not properly managed, it becomes difficult to track where they are allocated and how they are being used. This lack of transparency can create opportunities for corruption and nepotism, undermining good governance principles. It can hinder the equitable distribution of resources. When resources are not efficiently allocated, certain regions or groups may be disadvantaged and left without access to basic services and development opportunities. This can lead to a feeling of marginalisation and social unrest and further undermine trust in the government’s ability to manage resources fairly.

Additionally, resource mismanagement may result in the unsustainable exploitation of natural resources. When resources are not sustainably managed, their depletion can have serious environmental consequences, jeopardising the long-term wellbeing of both current and future generations. Apart from weakening the foundations of good governance by eroding transparency, equity, and sustainability, it hampers effective policymaking and can lead to negative socioeconomic impacts, exacerbating poverty and instability.

Unstable political environments can hinder the implementation of effective governance policies, leading to the inconsistent application of rules and regulations. Limited citizen engagement and participation in governance processes prevent the inclusion of diverse perspectives, resulting in a disconnection between the government and the governed.

After extensive deliberations, participants unanimously offered key resolutions to address the challenges of good governance with sustainable benefits for humanity. One of such measures is the strengthening of the anti-corruption campaign. They emphasised the need for robust anti-corruption mechanisms, including good remuneration and better working conditions, transparent procurement processes, enhanced financial auditing, and strict enforcement of anti-corruption laws.

It is critical for the government to invest in building and strengthening institutional frameworks, ensuring the independence of oversight agencies, and encouraging collaboration across various institutions to achieve good governance. 

Participants emphasised the importance of establishing stable political environments through responsible leadership, effective conflict resolution mechanisms, and inclusive governance practices.

Similarly, the creation of platforms for citizen involvement in decision-making processes, such as town hall meetings, public consultations, and the use of technology for e-governance initiatives, was espoused. By including diverse perspectives and experiences, citizen participation promotes more inclusive and representative decision-making processes. Besides, citizen participation fosters greater transparency and accountability.

Participating in decision-making makes it easy to hold government officials accountable for their actions, preventing corruption and ensuring that policies and actions align with the needs and interests of the people. This ultimately strengthens the social contract between citizens and the state while fostering a sense of ownership and cooperation.

Over 70 academic articles were presented and analytically discussed at the conference. The resolutions reached provide a roadmap for building sustainable, good governance. Stakeholders can contribute to the establishment of sustainable good governance practices by scrupulously implementing the resolutions while respecting constant monitoring and evaluation mechanisms. This will ultimately lead to improved societal well-being and long-term development.