Thesis Abstract

Abstract
Patron-client politics has been a prominent feature of Nigerian society and politics, playing a significant role in shaping national development outcomes. This research project aims to explore the intricate dynamics of patron-client relationships in Nigeria and their impact on the country's development trajectory. The study will employ a mixed-methods approach, combining both qualitative and quantitative research techniques to provide a comprehensive analysis of patron-client politics in Nigeria. Qualitative methods such as in-depth interviews and participant observation will be used to understand the nuances of patron-client relationships, while quantitative data analysis will help to identify patterns and trends in these relationships. By examining the historical roots of patron-client politics in Nigeria, the research will shed light on how these dynamics have evolved over time and influenced various aspects of governance and development. The study will also investigate the role of key actors such as political elites, traditional rulers, and business leaders in perpetuating patron-client networks and shaping policy outcomes. Furthermore, the research will analyze the impact of patron-client politics on key development indicators such as economic growth, social welfare, and political stability. By exploring case studies and comparative analyses, the study aims to uncover the ways in which patron-client relationships have either facilitated or hindered national development efforts in Nigeria. One of the key objectives of this research project is to assess the implications of patron-client politics for democracy and governance in Nigeria. By examining how patronage networks intersect with formal institutions and processes, the study seeks to illuminate the challenges and opportunities that patron-client dynamics present for democratic consolidation and effective governance. Overall, this research project will contribute to a deeper understanding of the complex interplay between patron-client politics and national development in Nigeria. By unpacking the dynamics of patronage networks and their implications for governance and development outcomes, the study aims to provide valuable insights for policymakers, scholars, and practitioners seeking to promote more inclusive and sustainable development in Nigeria and beyond.

Thesis Overview

INTRODUCTION
Richard A. Joseph… is usually credited with first using the term prebendalism to describe patron-client or neopatrimonialism in Nigeria. Since then the term has commonly been used in scholarly literature and textbooks. The Catholic Encyclopedia defines a pretend as the “right of member of chapter to his share in the revenues of a cathedral.” Joseph used the term to describe the sense of entitlement that many people in Nigeria feel they have to the revenues of the Nigerian state. Elected officials, government workers, and members of the ethnic and religious groups to which they belong feel they have a right to a share of government revenues Joseph wrote: “According to the theory of prebendalism, state offices are regarded as pretends that can be appropriated by officeholders, who use them to generate material benefits for themselves and their constituents and kin groups…” As a result of that kind of patron-client or identity politics, Nigeria has regularly been one of the lowest ranked nations for political transparency by Transparency International in its Corruption Perceptions.
As Oluwafemi stated: many Nigerians may not know the term, but they know the practices and attitudes to which it refers.To understand prebendalism,it is necessary to grasp what is a prebend. The dividing line is when the office holder is able to appropriate the office, that is, convert it into his or her piece of the state. In contemporary Nigeria, and other peripheral capitalist countries, there is a short time-horizon in which resources accruing to the office can be diverted for personal and related uses, or for the capital accumulation which it facilitates. “The prebendalization of the patrimonial state”, in the Wikipedia excerpt, is therefore an apt formulation. Prebendalism is not necessarily Nigerian. It is entrenched and a pervasive nature in a country; and how prebendal attitudes were woven into what Ken Post and Michael Vickers had earlier described as a “conglomerate society”, i.e., a nation composed of cultural sections defined by ethnicity, language, region and cultural practices. Patron-client mechanisms were fundamental features of a dynamic system that linked the appropriation of state offices in Nigeria to the material and welfare of the people. A key consideration is what happens to the state itself. A prebendalized system, however, is inherently unstable. Aspirations to build a capable state, a democratic system, and a coherent nation are ultimately foiled by prebendal practices