Governance, Weak Institution and Sustainable Development in Nigeria: A Critical Review

It's a paradox of parody for a nation as blessed as Nigeria yet wallows in abject poverty and tagged underdeveloped nation, borrowing from other developed nations and international financial institutions to fund her budget year in year out. The quest for development has led to several developmental plans, policies and programs, establishment of institutions, reorganization and restructuring of those institutions, yet development seems elusive. The survey made use of secondary data while good governance theory was used as its theoretical framework. The study investigated the relationship between weak institutions and development visa vice good governance and its impact. The paper unearths the dangers of weak institutions in a democratic environment. The research proved that weak institutions is a conduit for corruption and cannot guarantee sustainable development. The paper argued strongly that strong institution is a sin qua non for sustainable development. Institutions are made weak by the ruling aristocrats for them to have their ways perpetually in governance in order to control the nation patrimonial wealth, and those institutions headed by party loyalists. Consequently, the researcher made the following recommendations, constitutional amendment / review, attitudinal change, institutional reforms, implementation of policies and programs that centers on sustainable development among others.