Retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police and National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) Directing Staff, DIG Adeleye Olusola Oyebade mni, has called for a renaissance in Nigeria’s governance architecture through policy-driven leadership anchored on evidence, accountability, and inclusiveness.
Delivering a paper titled “Concepts, Theories and Features of Public Policy” to participants of the Policy, Strategy and Leadership Course 56, Oyebade asserted that effective public policy is the antidote to Nigeria’s governance failures, providing the framework for national stability, growth, and social justice.
Oyebade described public policy as the “foundation of good governance and public administration,” stressing that it translates political vision into tangible programmes that impact citizens’ lives.
“Public policy is not just about government decisions,” he said, “it is a reflection of how power, values, and resources are managed to achieve collective goals.”
According to him, the complexity of modern governance, from poverty and inequality to technological disruptions and climate change, demands strategic policymaking rooted in research, consultation, and adaptability.
The former police chief, who now mentors senior leaders in strategy and policy development, emphasized that Nigeria’s progress hinges on its leaders’ ability to understand and apply the principles of public policy.
He dissected key theories shaping public policy, including Institutional, Group, Elite, Rational Choice, and Incremental Theories, explaining how each influences decision-making and governance outcomes.
“Leaders must see policy as a living system – dynamic, interconnected, and value-laden,” Oyebade said. “Without sound policy, even good intentions fail. But with coherent, goal-driven policies, nations thrive.”
Highlighting the features of effective public policy, Oyebade noted that legitimacy, goal orientation, accountability, and adaptability remain crucial for success. He urged participants to ensure every policy they design or implement serves the public interest and reflects inclusivity, transparency, and ethical governance.
He outlined four policy categories – distributive, regulatory, redistributive, and constituent, stressing that each must align with Nigeria’s broader developmental goals.
Oyebade further warned against policy inconsistency, bureaucratic inertia, and political manipulation, which he described as chronic weaknesses undermining Nigeria’s institutional progress.
In his closing remarks, Oyebade encouraged participants to use their NIPSS experience to champion reform and innovation in governance.
“Leadership without policy is like navigating without a compass,” he said. “Nigeria needs leaders who can think strategically, act ethically, and make evidence-based decisions for the common good.”He added that a clear understanding of the policy process, from formulation to evaluation, will empower leaders to translate vision into action and build public trust.The lecture concluded with a call for policy coherence across Nigeria’s public institutions, urging that reforms should not be reactionary but deliberate, data-driven, and adaptive to changing realities. Oyebade maintained that public policy is the bridge between leadership vision and societal transformation, and mastering it is the hallmark of strategic leadership.