NIM@65: Reflecting on Nigeria's Governance Crisis

The Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM) is celebrating its 65th anniversary, an occasion that calls for deeper reflection on Nigeria's governance issues. Despite over six decades of providing management education, professional certification, and leadership conferences, Nigeria continues to face significant management challenges.

The article questions why, despite possessing resources like oil and minerals, the country remains poorly managed. It emphasizes that effective management is crucial for transforming resources into value.

The evidence of national transformation linked to NIM's training remains inadequate, with public institutions often inefficient, infrastructure deteriorating, and projects exceeding budgets and deadlines. The article asserts that Nigeria's governance crisis is largely a management crisis, exacerbated by political leadership, corruption, and weak institutions.

It critiques the focus on procedural compliance over actual outcomes, suggesting that officials are rewarded for budget expenditures rather than problem-solving. The anniversary serves as a reminder of the need for competent management to address Nigeria's developmental challenges.