OBAFEMI AWOLOWO’S MENTAL MAGNITUDE AND BAD GOVERNANCE IN NIGERIA

ABSTRACT

In Nigeria the Problem of Bad Governance is a familiar term that describes the Failure of leaders who ought to hold first the Interest of the people at heart as they are there to serve the people and not to rule the people. The problem of Bad Governance has been the problem of many African Countries over the years and has eaten deep that a democratic system is considered a joke and a bad one at that. Leaders put their selfish needs ahead of the citizens by enriching themselves with the resources that should be used to grow the country. This Research employed the method of critical analysis in an attempt to provide a solution from an existing philosophy theory that if evaluated and used effectively would possibly prevent, curb or remove some of the problems we face today as a nation. Chief Obafemi Awolowo was an African Philosopher, who created the ideology of mental magnitude. In his theory Awolowo channels his thoughts on what should today be considered before electing a leader. He prioritizes the Health and Educational sector which have been neglected by several leaders over the years. Tertiary institutions shut down for months with students at home and this bothered only the parents and their wards and not the government of the country. Hospitals lack proper health care facilities. Doctors and lecturers complain of withheld salaries. These problems would have arguably been avoided if Awolowo’s ideology was studied and practiced to an extent in the society. Although his Philosophical theory faced some level of criticism, this thesis is an attempt to extract the components of his theory that could be effective against the problem of bad governance that seems to have eaten deep into our society and to create a form of awareness for the Future leaders or representatives of the people. Obafemi Awolowo’s theory might not solve all of Nigeria’s problems, but it can count for a start.