One Republic, Multiple Fiefdoms
Public Administration Reform Challenges in Heterogeneous Nigeria
1st Edition
Published on 10. February 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
297 pages
978-1-0364-6783-8 (ISBN)
Description
What can a book say about reform that others before it have not? The present book contends that a void exists in the theory and practice of public administration reform. Where it was customary to view the process as purely technical, the new book highlights the significance of barriers, mostly socio-political, cultural, and attitudinal, that must be surmounted to amass and sustain gains.
Proceeding on the assumption that public administration is meant to serve one sovereign, the book notices another monarch lurking in the background. Unlike the first sovereign, which openly, albeit, unsuccessfully, controls the modern, rules-based, legal-rational, role-specific, 'soft' environment, the second is a collection of fiefdoms scattered across the traditional, exceptionalist, entitlement-oriented, informal, anything-goes, 'hard' environment. Implementing sustainable reform entails extricating the soft environment from its hard counterpart's grip.
The book will be of interest to public administration and social science scholars, government and public service leaders, risk analysts, and international development partners.
Proceeding on the assumption that public administration is meant to serve one sovereign, the book notices another monarch lurking in the background. Unlike the first sovereign, which openly, albeit, unsuccessfully, controls the modern, rules-based, legal-rational, role-specific, 'soft' environment, the second is a collection of fiefdoms scattered across the traditional, exceptionalist, entitlement-oriented, informal, anything-goes, 'hard' environment. Implementing sustainable reform entails extricating the soft environment from its hard counterpart's grip.
The book will be of interest to public administration and social science scholars, government and public service leaders, risk analysts, and international development partners.
More details
Other editions
Additional editions
M. J. Balogun | Isaac Obasi | Mahmoud Umar
One Republic, Multiple Fiefdoms
Public Administration Reform Challenges in Heterogeneous Nigeria
Book
06/2025
Cambridge Scholars Publishing
€100.46
Shipment within 15-20 days
Persons
Murtala J. Balogun, the lead author, was Senior Adviser at the UN Economic Commission for Africa and later, in the Department of Economic and Social Affairs, New York, USA. He was also Director-General of The Administrative Staff College of Nigeria.
Isaac Nnamdi Obasi is a Professor in the Department of Public Administration, University of Abuja, Nigeria.
Adam A. Anyebe was, until his death on 1st February 2025, a Professor of Public Administration at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria, and consultant to local and international organizations.
Okey Marcellus Ikeanyibe is a Professor in the Department of Public Administration and Local Government, University of Nigeria Nsukka, and Director of the Institute of Social Policy at the University.
Mahmoud Umar is a Professor of Public Administration at the Gombe State University, and has served, among other positions, as the Head of the Department of Public Administration.
Ekhosuehi Oghator, PhD, is a professor of development administration and policy at the Institute of Public Administration and Health Services Management, University of Benin, Nigeria.
Anthony Mayowa Oladoyin is a Professor of Public Administration at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
Isaac Nnamdi Obasi is a Professor in the Department of Public Administration, University of Abuja, Nigeria.
Adam A. Anyebe was, until his death on 1st February 2025, a Professor of Public Administration at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria, and consultant to local and international organizations.
Okey Marcellus Ikeanyibe is a Professor in the Department of Public Administration and Local Government, University of Nigeria Nsukka, and Director of the Institute of Social Policy at the University.
Mahmoud Umar is a Professor of Public Administration at the Gombe State University, and has served, among other positions, as the Head of the Department of Public Administration.
Ekhosuehi Oghator, PhD, is a professor of development administration and policy at the Institute of Public Administration and Health Services Management, University of Benin, Nigeria.
Anthony Mayowa Oladoyin is a Professor of Public Administration at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.