Addressing the Wicked Problems in Nigeria with the ‘4Es’ in Public Administration

Abstract

The concept of wicked problems is continuously gaining more attention due basically to the inability of political authorities in certain nations to address some issues that have lingered for decades. This justifies the scholarly interrogation of various strategies adopted to solve these problems as well as the realization of their failure. Narrowing it down to Nigeria, this paper sufficiently contends that poverty, Boko Haram insurgency, banditry, herders-farmers crisis and secessionist agitation fit into the wicked problems; hence, the study primarily investigates the efficacy of the 4Es in Public Administration (a new model) in solving these wicked problems in Nigeria. Adopting a literature-based method, the paper argues compellingly on the need for the adoption of the 4Es in public administration in Nigeria and also highlights its implementation strategies. However, bureaucratic resistance is examined to be a pontential challenge to the implementation of the model in the country. Consequently, the paper proposes for sensitization, participation and gradual implementation of the model among others. Drawing on the above, it conludes that the model should be adopted and offers some practical policy recommendations.