Year: 2025 | Month: October | Volume: 12 | Issue: 10 | Pages: 455-467
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijrr.20251048
Politics of Bureaucracy and Public Policy Outcomes in Nigeria
Dominic Shimawua1, Dr Gabriel Igwebuike Ayogu2
1,2Department of Public Administration Veritas University, Abuja
Corresponding Author: Dr Gabriel Igwebuike Ayogu
ABSTRACT
This paper assessed the effects of bureaucracy on public policy and the quests by political representatives to control the structures and policies of government assumed to be dominated by civil servants. Through a descriptive but analytical approach, the study explored the weapons in the arsenal of top civil servants and political representatives, how they are utilized to exert influence and their likely effects on public policy in Nigeria. The paper adopted the elite theory as a guide. The study also utilized secondary data to source basic information relating to the objectives of the research. Content analysis and thematic discussions on the specific research objectives were adopted for the data analysis. The study observed that bureaucrats utilize their wealth of information and expertise, apolitical posture and stability to influence public policy outcomes in their relationship with political leadership. Also, the political representatives on their part wield the power of legitimacy, control of the power of the purse and authority to determine the latitude for the agencies to control the bureaucracy in public decision-making. Consequently, such display of capabilities if not properly managed would leave negative imprints on public policies generated and all becomes the loser. This study therefore recommended among others that professionalism of the civil servants be re-emphasized, higher qualifications and experiences for elected representatives and above all, both actors in public policy in Nigeria should be exposed to basic civic education principles to be more patriotic in their services to fatherland.
Keywords: Politics, bureaucracy, public policy, expertise, professionalism, legitimacy
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