A policy is a conscious structure of principles to guide decisions and achieve rational outcomes. It could also be seen as a statement of intent, and is put into action as a procedure or protocol.

Policy may apply to government, private sector organizations and groups, as well as individuals. For instance, Presidential executive orders, corporate privacy strategies, and parliamentary rules of order are all examples of policy.

Policy differs from rules or law. While law can compel or prohibit behaviors (e.g. a law requiring the payment of taxes on income), policy merely guides actions toward those that are most likely to achieve a desired outcome.

Often times there appear to be a blur line between government, as an institution and occupants of this institution. In another case, transition within this institution is either taken as change from institution, or change from administration to another within the same government.

Implementation report of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) spotted political and policy instability as top in the list of challenges faced by underdeveloped and developing nations. Here, Nigeria is not exempted.

Since 1960, Nigeria has been experiencing government as an institution that changes to another institution, as election or coup d’état takes place. This explains why government policies fade away as governments transit. A quick explanation to this is the policy base of governments seemingly inspired by party influence, personal or ethnic lines.

Consequently, the economic, social and political spheres of the country are made to suffer. Time was, when sharing formula of proceeds from natural resources exploration was pegged at 50% to state government and 50% to federal government. But this policy had long been reversed.

Similarly, a certain policy on education had made indigenous languages and history to be mandatory in schools, but succeeding governments have failed to uphold the policy and it is likely our cultures and history are at the verge of eroding since our education system is deficient of them.

It is often said that government is a continuum, meaning that fundamentally, continuity is the bedrock of a successful government institution. Suffice it to hold that continuity here would play a crucial role in national development.

To begin with, it costs lesser to continue with already existing policies, than to institute new ones. National development in itself is not realizable outside government commitment to the cause of a nation. But it has been established that Nigeria is where it is today because of instability in policies.

In other words, government plays a huge role in the progress of a country. We are roughly three years away from 2020, yet the previously trumpeted vision 20:20:20 is at the moment nowhere heard, even within the federal government. The reason is not far-fetched; that economic programme died with the late former President Umaru Musa Yar’adua.

President Muhammadu Buhari came with his own policies, some of which are almost totally disconnected with others that were on ground. The result was obvious; delays in policy implementation and the stability of the country was affected.

A very good example of policy desertion is when the Muhammadu Buhari administration bluntly refused to look at the resolution and recommendations of the 2014 National Conference convened by the Goodluck Jonathan administration. Many have argued that issues like the devolution of powers and restructuring would have been settled if this administration had considered the recommendations of the National Conference. Of course, it is because of this kind of negligence exhibited by the current administration, and even previous governments, right from our independence from colonial rule that has pulled the nation backwards. It simply explains that lack of continuity of and improving upon or consolidation on good policies could cause retrogression.

It is high time government officials had national interest at heart while formulating policies as well as abandonment of previous policies. There should always be a thorough consideration of already existing policies before implementing new ones. By doing so, the human, material and financial cost of pursing a distinct policy or programme from previous policies, such can be reformed to meet a better desired goal, rather than total desertion. It is a way of disabusing the mind of the masses that a particular government is on a revenge mission, selfish or sentimental. It also practically sees to the concept of continuity of government, which is the beauty of leadership.

Continuity in policies aids smooth and effective administration by not just learning from past mistakes, but consolidating on positive aims of past policies in view of patriotism.

Government must rise above political biases and uphold what should be upheld. It pays better to continue to reform, rebrand and reshape, than to totally abolish, abandon or condemn existing policies.

Government is better seen as an institution than the people that occupy the institution. Let us change our thinking for the sake of national development.

https://ikiemoyeiniamagha./2017/11/10/policy-continuity-and-development-by-ikiemoye-iniamagha/