GOVERNANCE IN NIGERIA AND QUALITY OF LIFE CORRELATES ON THE CITIZENS

Abstract

This study investigated “Governance in Nigeria and Quality of Life Correlates on the Citizens”. The effectiveness of governance in Nigeria and its relationships with quality of life on the citizens are in doubt. The main objective of this study was to investigate governance in Nigeria and its quality-of-life correlates on citizens. A total of 234 participants for this study were sampled in Igboland covering Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi, Imo, Abia, Rivers, and Delta States, using cluster and incidental (sampling) method. The instruments of measurement and data collection were Governance Perception Inventory Nwankwo (2026) to measure governance, and Quality of Life Inventory by Nwankwo (2026) to measure quality of life. Both instruments attained good psychometric properties. Confidentiality and informed consent were the ethical practices adopted. Correlational design and Pearson Product Moment Correlation (statistics) were adopted. The data analyses were done with SPSS version 26. Findings of the study showed thus: Governance in Nigeria had positive and significant relationship with quality of life of the citizens; Representation as a dimension of governance in Nigeria had positive but non-significant relationship with quality of life of the citizens; Resources management as a dimension of governance in Nigeria had positive and significant relationship with quality of life of the citizens; Rule of law as a dimension of governance in Nigeria had positive and significant relationship with quality of life of the citizens; Change agent as a dimension of governance in Nigeria had positive and significant relationship with quality of life of the citizens; Governance in Nigeria had positive and significant relationship with psychological functioning as a dimension of quality of life of the citizens; Governance in Nigeria had positive and significant relationship with environment as a dimension of quality of life of the citizens; Governance in Nigeria had positive and significant relationship with economic ability as a dimension of quality of life of the citizens; Governance in Nigeria had positive and non-significant relationship with modernization as a dimension of quality of life of the citizens; and Generally, relationship between governance in Nigeria and citizens’ quality of life was too low. One major implication of the study is that the government is busy formulating out governance policies without corresponding these with implementation actions that improve the quality of life of the citizens. One may be inclined to argue that those policies may end up serving selfish political purposes only. It is recommended for the government to stop prioritizing selfish political goals in governance, as this adulterates governance policies from improving quality of life of citizens. Personal development and community-based actions are also recommended capacity-building endeavours that will facilitate quality of life of the citizens, should the government neglect their obligations.