Politics of Public Policymaking Environment in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic: Challenges and Prospects

Abstract

Politics cannot be separated from policymaking environment globally. This is because there is politics in whatever government does in carrying out its functions. The objective of this paper is to examine the politics involved in public policymaking environment in Nigeria with reference to policy challenges and prospects. Institutional theory of policy as an institutional activity, popularized by Thomas Dye, is adopted as the framework of analysis. The paper employed library research techniques in such a way that information sourced from books, journals and constitution are employed as its documentary sources of data collection. Thematic analysis is adopted in the paper and concludes that the processes involved in public policymaking in Nigeria are fundamentally the same in scope and content with public policymaking in most developed and developing countries. However, the salient difference is the environment in which the policy takes place as well as its consequences on the economy and citizenry. Finally, the paper recommends policy knowledge through attending seminars, workshop and courses and training among all public officials with the requisite authority to make, modify, or terminate policy should be encouraged by adequate funding from the government.