LEADERSHIP AND GOOD GOVERNANCE IN NIGERIA: A SUSTAINABILITY CHALLENGE

Sustainability means meeting the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, while balancing social well-being, economic growth, and environmental protection. Based on the extant literature, the role of leadership and good governance in achieving sustainability cannot be overemphasised. It is argued that without effective leadership and good governance, the goal of sustainable growth may be elusive. As evident in the existing studies, the goals of sustainability have not been adequately achieved in Nigeria. Carbon footprints, unsustainable water usage and energy consumption are increasing in the face of environmental regulatory frameworks and polices. These problems have been associated with leadership and governance failure. Therefore, this study aims to examine the roles of leadership and good governance in driving and achieving sustainability goals. The study considered how socio-economic developments and environmental protection can be achieved via effective leadership and good governance. The study is anchored on two frameworks; “Transformational Leadership Theory and Principal-Agent Theory”. Secondary data was used to achieve the aim of this study. The study concluded that to achieve sustainability goals, it is imperative for the leadership framework to have elements of ethicality, connectedness, collaboration, creativity and courage. Nigeria is currently at an inflection point where the old methods of patronage based governance are failing to meet modern economic and social demands. Sustainability is not just about the environment in Nigeria; it is about the survival of the state itself.