The influence of private interests in policy making in Nigeria: a case study of commercial agricultural project in Kwara State, 2004-2010

Type Journal Article - International Journal of Research in Social Sciences
Title The influence of private interests in policy making in Nigeria: a case study of commercial agricultural project in Kwara State, 2004-2010
Author(s)
Volume 2
Issue 2
Publication (Day/Month/Year) 2012
Page numbers 27-43
URL http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.361.8303&rep=rep1&type=pdf
Abstract
Public Policy in contemporary societies have assumed significant position in the performance of
governmental functions and more importantly in driving societies towards development.
However, in Nigeria and other third world nations the private interest of the policy makers
appears to be the major determinant of government policy decisions. This study examines
commercial agricultural policy of Kwara State Government with a view to identifying how the
private interests of Government officials influenced the choice of white farmers at the expense of
Nigerians. The paper used survey approach, and other documented information in its
investigation alongside informal interaction with people in Tsonga area. With the aid of elites
theory of public policy, the paper argued that the political and bureaucratic elites who are usually
few in every political organizations makes policies in their interests, using the state resources for
their implementation. Hence, the paper discovered among other findings that, the New Nigerian
Enterprises to which the Tsonga Farm Holdings was sold belongs to the Saraki family. It is
recommended that, the Kwara State House of Assembly should review the MOU and the entire
activities of the white Farmers in Tsonga.

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