FAULTY LEADERSHIP RECRUITMENT IN NIGERIA, TRUST DEFICIT AND THE DECLINE IN SOCIAL VALUES

This research explores the pervasiveness of faulty leadership recruitment processes, and the decline in societal values, emphasizing the role of education in addressing these challenges to foster nation-building. Guided by the social contract theory, the study investigates how ineffective leadership selection and eroded social values have weakened governance, eroded public trust, and hindered national development. Using mixed-methods research, this study incorporates surveys, interviews, and secondary data analysis to examine citizens’ perceptions and their implications for governance. Findings reveal that leadership incompetence, nepotism, and a lack of ethical standards contribute significantly to the distrust in government and the decay of societal values. The study identifies a gap in the literature regarding the transformative potential of education in rebuilding trust and fostering sustainable development. Recommendations include revamping civic education, reforming leadership recruitment processes, and embedding national values in educational curricula.