Public Administration scholar at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Prof. Ali Bagaji has proposed the adoption of a new framework of policy pillars to move the country forward.
Bagaji, a senior lecturer in NOUN’s Department of Public Administration, Faculty of Management Science, spoke during the university’s 32nd Inaugural Lecture held at its headquarters in Abuja.
In the lecture, titled, “State-building Experiments in Nigeria’s Multi-ethnic Society: Policy Pillars for Achieving Pre-set Triple National Goals?”, he traced the country’s political and administrative evolution, examining the patterns and outcomes of various state-building efforts since independence.
He examined what he described as Nigeria’s “pre-set triple national goals”—unity, security, and development—and the persistent gap between aspiration and achievement, noting that the country’s multi-ethnic nature, while a potential source of strength, has often presented complex challenges in governance and national cohesion.
In a statement by the Director of Media and Publicity, NOUN, Ibrahim Sheme, the don analysed the policies, structures, and governance mechanisms that have been adopted over the years to manage ethnic diversity and promote national unity.
From the Federal Character principle to quota systems and decentralisation efforts, he critically assessed their effectiveness and limitations.
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Bagaji argued that a new framework of policy pillars must be adopted to move the country forward.
He proposed the pillars to included: Inclusive and Adaptive Federalism, which is a call for genuine power devolution that respects ethnic identities while reinforcing national integration; Participatory Democracy, which strengthens civic engagement and citizen accountability in policy-making; and Merit-driven Public Service Reform which ensures that institutions are run by competent professionals, not political patronage.
Others are Civic Education and National Orientation, which is a revival of value-based education to instill patriotism and shared purpose, and Strategic Human Capital Investment, which particularly emphasises on education, youth, and innovation.
The university don noted that state-building must be a shared responsibility driven by visionary leadership, inclusive policies, and a commitment to national ideals.
Vice-Chancellor of NOUN, Prof. Olufemi Peters, emphasised the significance of the inaugural lecture series in showcasing the depth of research and intellectual capacity within the university’s academic community.
He lauded Bagaji’s contributions to the field of public administration and governance, describing his work as timely and very relevant to Nigeria’s contemporary challenges. “This lecture is not only an academic tradition but also a platform for advancing public discourse on issues of national interest,” he said.
He also highlighted the theme of the lecture as particularly timely and significant, given Nigeria’s current socio-political realities.