The Philosophy of Resource Management and the Challenge of Leadership in Nigeria

Abstract

This paper examines critically the problem of the inefficient and half-hearted management of resources by successive leadership in Nigeria vis-à-vis the cost implications for the development of the country. The paper contends that successive leadership at the different levels of government and organizations do not give the desired attention to the efficient utilization of resource at their disposal towards the establishment of development projects, and worse still, in the maintenance of existing infrastructures with the result that many of such materials and heavy equipment are left to decay for want of attention. Adding to these obnoxious practices by governments are the disturbing issues of abandoning of projects half way, the starting of unrealistic, unfeasible and unprofitable projects and the under-utilization of human resource. These practices, the paper argues, put some strain on the economy as they drain such resources. Adopting the philosophical methods of analysis, criticism and questioning, the paper arrives at and recommends a workable and veritable model for the proper and efficient management of resources in this country. This model involves the adoption and practice of a way of thinking or a way of awakening the culture of promoting some set of attitudes in our leaders such that the disposition of efficient resource management is ingrained in them for the governance of the people.