A HISTORICAL BACKGROUND TO THE CHALLENGE OF NATIONAL POLITICAL LEADERSHIP IN NIGERIA

Abstract

It is becoming an acceptable fact that leadership problem is an important challenge that faces the Nigerian polity in the contemporary age. The problem has greatly precluded sustainable growth and development of the country. This paper, therefore examines the situation and the existential realities that have networked together to precipitate the challenge of national political leadership in Nigeria. The paper discovers that the foundation of Nigeria was laid with a phenomenon that dictates the super structural political history of Nigeria that is fraught with leadership challenge after independence. Hence, the paper suggests establishment of national mechanisms that can help creates political figures with human tendencies favourable to nationhood, as well as the structures that will sustain unionism among the diverse ethnic groups in Nigeria. The work relies on qualitative analysis to address its focus. Data were sourced from books, journals, newspapers, magazines and other relevant historical documents.