Institutional Reforms Key to Nigeria’s Progress, OAUSTECH Scholar Says
OKITIPUPA, Ondo State – May 6, 2026
A professor of Public Administration at Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (OAUSTECH), Prof. Ehiyamen Mediayanose Osezua, has called for sweeping institutional reforms as a pathway to Nigeria’s development, warning that sustainable progress cannot be achieved without accountable and results-driven governance.
Delivering the university’s 11th Inaugural Lecture on Tuesday, titled “Governing Without Results: Public Administration, Leadership and Institutional Failure in Nigeria. Quo Vadis?”, Osezua argued that Nigeria’s future hinges on rebuilding strong institutions rather than relying on individual leaders.
He maintained that the country’s challenges are rooted not in a lack of resources or human capital, but in the inability to effectively deploy them with discipline, integrity, and clear developmental goals. According to him, governance in Nigeria has often failed to translate into tangible outcomes for citizens.
The don identified key factors undermining national development, including weak leadership, administrative inefficiencies, corruption, political opportunism, fragile judicial systems, and a disconnect between government and the people.
Despite these setbacks, Osezua expressed optimism that Nigeria’s situation can be reversed through deliberate reforms. He stressed that revitalizing public administration, restoring institutional integrity, and rebuilding public trust are achievable with commitment to fairness and accountability.
Among his recommendations were the restoration of merit-based recruitment and promotion in public service, enforcement of ethical standards, and strengthening oversight mechanisms across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies. He also advocated the adoption of results-based governance, expansion of digital public administration, reduction in governance costs, and prioritization of development-focused spending.
Osezua further called for intensified anti-corruption measures, deeper democratic practices, and structural adjustments to Nigeria’s federal system to address existing imbalances. He urged traditional institutions, religious bodies, and academic institutions to play active roles in national renewal.
In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of OAUSTECH, Prof. Temi Ologunorisa, described the lecture as timely and impactful, noting that its recommendations could help address leadership and administrative challenges facing the country. He encouraged policymakers and stakeholders to take practical steps toward implementing the proposals.
The event drew a diverse audience, including academics, government officials, legal practitioners, traditional rulers, religious leaders, students, and members of the university community.
