PUBLIC POLICY IMPLEMENTATION AND GOVERNANCE CHALLENGES IN NIGERIA: IMPLICATIONS FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA

Public policy implementation remains one of the most critical challenges confronting governance systems in many developing countries, particularly in Africa. While governments often formulate well-articulated policies aimed at addressing socio-economic challenges, the effective implementation of these policies frequently encounters significant institutional, political, and administrative obstacles. This study examines the challenges of public policy implementation in Nigeria and explores the implications for governance and sustainable development across Africa. The study adopts a qualitative research design based on secondary data obtained from scholarly literature, government reports, and policy documents. Findings reveal that weak institutional capacity, bureaucratic inefficiencies, political interference, corruption, inadequate funding, and poor monitoring mechanisms constitute major barriers to effective policy implementation. The study further demonstrates that the persistent gap between policy formulation and policy execution undermines governance effectiveness and slows the achievement of sustainable development goals in Nigeria and other African countries. The paper argues that strengthening institutional capacity, enhancing transparency, promoting citizen participation, and improving policy coordination are essential for improving policy implementation outcomes. The study concludes that effective governance in Africa requires not only sound policy formulation but also strong institutional mechanisms capable of ensuring consistent and accountable policy execution.