Transparency and accountability as catalysts for National development: Lessons from Nigeria
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Date
2021-05-09
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Department of Political Science, Umarau Musa Yaradua University , Katsina
Abstract
National development has been linked to the dual concepts of accountability and transparency, such that the former rests squarely on the strengths of the two. Any country desiring development must inculcate the acts of subjecting the holders of public offices to continuous public scrutiny while also granting unrestricted access to the public to check her books at any time. Public office holders must also inculcate the habit of rendering accounts of their stewardship periodically to the public. The paper traces the origin of the concept of accountability, with a cursory look with its types and forms; and provides a vivid explanation for its closeness with transparency especially in the context of national development. The exploratory technique was employed while relying on secondary data sources for analysis. It concludes that effort towards national growth will only yield positive results only when government businesses are conducted with openness and answerability to the public. Strengthening of laws and government structures, mechanism of control for anti-graft agencies and deliberate political will to put the Freedom of Information Act in to work among others are recommended.
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Keywords
Transperency, National Development, Development, Accountability, Public Office
Citation
Olorunsuwa, E.O. (2021). Transparency and accountability as catalysts for National development: Lessons from Nigeria. Social and Administrative Sciences Review. 7(1b), 208-226.