Leadership and Good Governance in National Development: An Assessment of Nigeria’s Political Administration, 2013–2023

• Post by: birpo
• June 25, 2026
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Aniude, Callista Ijeoma

Abstract         

This study examined leadership and good governance in national development: an assessment of Nigeria’s political administration from 2013 to 2023. The Nigeria’s political history between 2013 and 2023, spanning the administrations of President Goodluck Jonathan (2010–2015) and President Muhammadu Buhari (2015–2023), presents a compelling context for examining how leadership styles and governance practices shape national development outcomes. Despite significant theoretical and policy attention to leadership and governance in Nigeria, empirical primary evidence assessing citizens’ perceptions of leadership effectiveness, governance quality, and national development outcomes across this decade remains sparse. This study evaluated the impact of leadership styles and governance practices on national development; identified major governance challenges during the Jonathan and Buhari administrations; and examined the consequences of ineffective leadership on Nigeria’s economic stability, security, and social cohesion. A descriptive cross-sectional survey design was adopted. Primary data were collected from 400 respondents drawn from six geopolitical zones of Nigeria using stratified random sampling and a structured five-point Likert scale questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression. Leadership style and governance practices significantly and positively predicted national development (β = 0.412, p < 0.001); poor governance and corruption constituted the most frequently identified governance challenges; and ineffective leadership exerted a significant negative effect on economic stability, security, and social cohesion (β = −0.387, p < 0.001). The combined model explained 58.4% of variance in national development outcomes. Effective, value-driven leadership and accountable governance are indispensable prerequisites for sustainable national development in Nigeria.

Keywords:  leadership styles, good governance, national development, political administration, Buhari, Jonathan, public accountability

Cite: Aniude, C. I. (2026). Leadership and Good Governance in National Development: An Assessment of Nigeria’s Political Administration, 2013–2023. International Journal of Humanities, Thought and Expression,4(2), 41-54. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20816157