PUBLIC POLICY MAKING PROCESS: TOURISM ADMINISTRATION IN NIGERIA (1960 TO DATE).

¹Ofobruku Sylvester Abomeh; ²Obia Ernest and ³Amagbakhen O. Roland

¹Tourism and Hospitality Services, Nasarawa State, Nigeria

² NITHOUTOR, Abuja

³Bureau of Public Procurement, State House, Abuja                                  

E-mail: ufomaeliz@yahoo.co

ABSTRACT

The main aim of this paper is to highlight that successive Nigerian governments commit policy reversals in the public policy making process using the tourism sector development policies as focus.  In addition, intended policy beneficiaries are not carried along at the policy conception/formulation stage, hence implementation/execution are fraught with avoidable problems. These have been the bane of development efforts in the tourism sector from independence to date. The paper concluded cautiously that notwithstanding the odds against incrementalism as a decision-making model, since it seeks to guarantee continuity in government policies and programmes, it can redress the phenomena of policy reversals which have become endemic in the Nigerian public policy making process.  The paper recommended a collaborative approach with the critical section and stakeholders in the policy making process in order to stem the tide of disconnection between policy beneficiaries and the government.  The paper also canvassed massive investment in training, research and development programmes through the strengthening of research centers/institutes.

Keywords: Tourism. Administration, Public policy, Making process.