Nigeria and the Challenges of Leadership in the 21st Century: A Critique
CHRIS. IWEJUO NWAGBOSO, OTU DUKE

Abstract
This paper attempts a critical exposition of leadership challenge of Nigeria, especially in this 21st century. The paper examines the extent to which inept and corrupt leadership have over the years, adversely affected the development of Nigeria as a nation. It further argues that the western model of leadership which our past and present leaders copied seem to have failed in providing desired answers to perennial challenges confronting Nigeria, hence the need for paradigm shift. The study adopts descriptive approach and content analysis as its methodological orientation. The paper, however, concludes that official corruption which has hitherto cascaded Nigeria’s developmental efforts certainly emanated from poor leadership and needs to be addressed if Nigeria must attain greater heights by the year 2020. The paper therefore recommends among others, the need for Nigerians to urgently reflect back on the values, visions and aspirations of Nigeria’s founding fathers and the institutionalization of leadership training centres at local government levels across the country as platform for the emergence of credible leaders at local, state and national levels in Nigeria.

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