Governance, Growth, and Inequality: The Political Economy of Development Outcomes in Nigeria, 1999–2025

The findings indicate that economic growth in Nigeria has not substantially reduced poverty or inequality. Rather, weak governance and uneven resource distribution have confined benefits to a limited segment of the population. Even during periods of economic expansion, the majority experienced only marginal improvements. These outcomes are attributed to political and economic dynamics in which policy reforms outpace genuine institutional transformation. The study recommends prioritizing practical governance reforms, economic diversification, and equitable resource distribution to promote sustainable and inclusive development.