Intergovernmental Relations and the Birthing of Collaborative Governance in Nigeria
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Date
2021
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DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE & PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
Abstract
Federal systems are always confronted with the basic question of who does/shall do what? Though, such a paradigm has been challenged by not only external (e.g. elements of globalization) and internal (e.g. the need for more effective policy outcomes) factors, but also by convincing reasons to improve the interactions among the different levels of governance in order to be able to face common challenges in critical policy areas, such as health, education, etc. Within this framework, the essence of intergovernmental relations is the attainment of integrated policy goals that benefit the public. Albeit, the management of these relations could take the path of collaboration or adversary depending on the structure and processes adopted by the actors. This paper explores the nature of intergovernmental relations in Nigeria by examining available documented evidences using content analysis. The paper was guided by the collaborative governance theory which identifies certain salient variables that could enhance effective collaboration. From available evidences from sectoral analysis, the dominant pattern of management of Nigeria’s intergovernmental relations appears to be adversarial. This assertion is based on available documented evidences of intergovernmental relations in the certain sectors of the country. The paper submits that collaborative management achieves better policy outcomes than adversarial management. This is because the former tends to facilitate trust, commitment and better coordination than the latter.
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Keywords
Collaboration, Adversarial, Governance, Trust