PhD in Governance Studies

Objectives of the Programme

1. To produce graduates with the requisite knowledge to distill and analyze contemporary events as they unfold and as well demonstrate their mastery and understanding of these events.
2. To produce graduates who are well-equipped to take up leadership responsibilities in the public, non-profit and the organized private sectors.
3. To produce graduates who are willing to contribute meaningfully to their immediate social environments and mobilize others for sustainable national and international development.
4. To produce graduates and technocrats with the sufficient capacities and capabilities to mold and shape opinions around common agenda for meaningful political, economic and social development.
5. To initiate and execute cutting-edge research capable of proffering solutions to contemporary issues and challenges of governance at the local and global levels.
6. To promote vigorous systems of advocacy towards the promotion and enhancement of effective governance.

Admission Requirements

The Criteria for Admission into the Doctor of Philosophy Programme will be as follows:

1. Candidates must possess a minimum of five (5) ‘O/L’ credits pass including English Language and Mathematics in SSCE/GCE/NECO at not more than two sittings.
2. For admission into any of the programmes, possession of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Discharge/Exemption/Exclusion Certificate issued by the Directorate is compulsory.
3. Applicants are to request their Alma Mater to forward the Academic Transcripts of their First Degree / Postgraduate Diploma / Master Degree to the Secretary, Postgraduate School, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye not later than 20th May, 2022.
4. Candidates with Master’s degree in Governance Studies or Political Science, Public Administration, Peace and Conflict Studies, International Relations and Local Government Studies of the Olabisi Onabanjo University with a minimum of a CGPA of 3.50 or a minimum of 60% average are eligible to be considered for admission into the Ph.D. programme directly.
5. Candidates with Master’s degree in Governance Studies or Political Science, Public Administration, Peace and Conflict Studies, International Relations and Local Government Studies of the Olabisi Onabanjo University with a minimum of a CGPA of 3.00 – 3.49 or 50%-59% average shall be admitted provisionally to the M.Phil/Ph.D Programme pending the conversion of the student after two or more semesters into the programme. This means that such candidates must offer and pass prescribed courses with a CGPA of 3.50 to proceed to Ph.D.
6. Graduates of other approved Universities with Master’s degree in Governance Studies or Political Science, Public Administration, Peace and Conflict Studies, International Relations and Local Government Studies with a CGPA of 3.00 and above shall be admitted provisionally to the M.Phil/Ph.D Programme pending the conversion of the student after two or more semesters into the programme. This means that such candidates must offer and pass prescribed courses with a CGPA of 3.50 to proceed to Ph.D.

Programme Duration

The duration of the Doctor of Philosophy in Governance Studies is as follows:

Graduation Requirements 

SUMMARY OF UNITS (FULL-TIME)

SUMMARY OF UNITS (PART-TIME)

KEYS: C- Compulsory, E- Elective, GOV- Governance Courses

Curriculum

(a)   Full-Time

1^st Semester

2^nd Semester

3^rd Semester

4^th Semester

5^th Semester

6^th Semester

(b)   Part-Time

1^st Semester

2^nd Semester

3^rd Semester

4^th Semester

5^th Semester

6^th Semester

7^th Semester

8^th Semester

Course Description/Synopses

GOV 901: Advanced Governance Inquiry I

The purpose of this course is to equip students with the skills for conducting research. Emphasis is on the various modes of obtaining valid knowledge and logic and methods of inquiry particularly in relations to governance. Various types of research design with focus on qualitative and quantitative research designs. Discussion will also cover the structure of scientific research, steps in the process and their application, types of research data collection, measurement- reliability and validity, approaches to the analysis and interpretation of research data. The processes of theory building and model construction.

GOV 902: Advanced Governance Inquiry II

This course  is designed to equip students with the skill of applying the various research methods and techniques in social research. Emphasis is on choice of topics and  methods of inquiry, whether quantitative or qualitative, types of data required and how to collect them., Statement of problems, research questions, research objectives, statement and testing of hypothesis. Format for report writing, language and mode of references, etc.

GOV 903: Advanced Contemporary Governance Analysis

The governance debate. The transformation from government to governance. The dispersal of public sector governance, the increasing upwards and downwards dispersal of power away from traditional government institutions to transnational bodies and sub-nationalities through decentralization respectively. The phenomenon of collaboration between government and non-state agencies in the provision of services and the ascendancy of the tenets of new managerialism in the conduct of public affairs. The effects of these transformation on the capacity of the state as well as state-citizens relations in Africa.. The phenomenon of governance deficit in different counties- manifestation, causes and effects. Enhancing governance in contemporary society.

GOV 904: Advanced Research Seminar                                                                                                                                     

A presentation on any matter/issue involving the subject matter of governance with the purpose of stimulating or provoking debate and further research by students either acting individually or collectively. It is a test of the extent to which students demonstrate the understanding of the subject matter and mastery of the rules and methodologies of social science research. The presentation is expected to take the form of proposal on any impending topic of investigation or a research report on any completed project or research assignment.

GOV 905: E-Governance                                                                                                        

This an advanced course on e-governance. It focuses on the various  approaches to e-governance; stages of e-governance in the application of Internet facilities in the planning, implementation and evaluation of service delivery. The three fold classification of e-governance; e-governance as government to government, government to business and government to citizens. Online service delivery, in health care, education, agriculture, judicial administration, business, arts, culture, rural and urban development, and local authority, state and federal administration, and information communication management. Obstacles to e-governance and strategies for overcoming the barriers.

GOV 906: Advanced Comparative Governance

The logic, essence and various approaches to comparative analysis. Comparing political and administrative structures of selected countries from the industrially developed states in the North and the less developed countries in the South. Emphasis is on types of political institutions and structures, centralized and decentralized systems, unitary and federal systems. The role of bureaucracies in nation building in the select countries. Reforms in the select  countries and their impact on governance. Explanations  for diverse outcomes for governance. Governance crisis in Sub-Saharan Africa. Causes and manifestation. Governance reforms and their effects on the state and citizens.

GOV 907: Advanced Seminar in Nigerian Government and Politics

This is an advanced seminar on Nigerian government and politics .Individual presentation to highlight how the nature and dynamics of government and politics in Nigeria have impacted on governance.

GOV 908: Public Policy Analysis                                                                                                                                

Advanced themes in public policy analysis. Meta and meso analysis, theories and practices of public policy formulations; the socio-economic, political and global environments and the policy process in Nigeria. Agenda setting and policy adoption. The role of the executive, legislature and the bureaucracy. Selected public policies in Nigeria, their rationale/ goals, implementation and outcome and output.

GOV 909: Corporate Governance

In-depth study of Corporate governance in contemporary society. The principles and practices that shape the current corporate governance debate, the relationship between corporate governance and corporate performance; the role, structure and composition of the board and other company organs; the relationship between the board and management; the rights and responsibilities of shareholders including institutional shareholders, risk management practices; audit requirements; executive remuneration; and corporate social responsibility.

GOV 910: Organizational Development

The conceptual understanding of organizational development, the integration of theoretical and experimental knowledge and the development of intervention skills as methods of understanding and responding to change in organizational governance. The understanding of techniques of organizational, managerial, and personal development interventions to the growth of the organization. Skills to analyze and develop strategic interventions and implementation approaches to organizational challenges.

GOV 912: Topics and Issues in Infrastructural Development in the Third World

The is an advanced course that focuses on issues in infrastructural development in Nigeria. The shortage of physical infrastructure and reasons for it will be identified. Physical infrastructure (transportation, power and communication among others)and social infrastructure (water supply, sanitation, sewage disposal, education and health)as the harbinger of development with direct impact on the quality of life will be examined. The course further scrutinizes the historical development of infrastructure, policies of government in the sector, funding, corruption and other challenges, panacea to poor infrastructural development in Nigeria, such as the adoption of Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) to deliver efficient and cost-effective infrastructure and services.

GOV 913: Gender and Governance in Africa

This is an advanced course on gender and the question of governance and development in Africa. It examines gender and governance- participation and representation, gender and leadership,  state building, gender equality  movement, women and political participation and leadership position.

GOV 914: Topics and Issues in Tax Administration and Management in Nigeria

The importance of taxes in the economy and national development, administration of and chargeability of taxes, and various issues attached to tax administration in Nigeria. Emphasis is on issues such as the role of tax authorities in Nigeria at the federal, state and local government levels,  tax invasion multiplicity of taxes, the centralization of tax legislation, technology and tax administration, database , tax touting, withholding taxes on sales , input VAT restriction, of tax invasion issues on transparency etc., the National Tax Policy in Nigeria.

GOV 915: Theories of Security Order

The course is designed to deepen the knowledge and increase the competences of students on the various aspects of traditional or reactive/incident-driven; proactive or intelligence-led concepts, approaches, and theories security of maintaining safety and political good order.

GOV 917: Contemporary Security Architecture

In-depth analysis of the security network in Africa. The dynamism of the security structures, objectives, principles and values, and application to maintain robust security network in the region. The course takes a cursory look at the stance of the present African Union security policies and the working effect on the region.

GOV 919: Global Security Agenda and Agreements

This course discusses a range of contemporary security challenges providing a set of key concepts that help student develop an in-depth understanding of the post-Cold war geopolitical and strategic environment. It provides students with the effective tools for analyzing and assessing respective policy responses, and for developing critical perspectives that go beyond the mere explanation of political practice. The course draws on a range of International Relations theories, illustrating ways in which various approaches can serve as a framework for analyzing global and regional security.

GOV 922: Legal Regime of Public Security and Order

Competing meanings, scope, and nature of public security and order. Various regimes; identifies and characteristics and legal implications of the different subsets and regime types. Many professions that exist within the fields of law in relation to law enforcement agencies, correctional services, and security outfits and their general and specific job descriptions and modalities; how their operational developments have affected the local, state, and federal governments’ statutory laws.

GOV 924: Work Ethics and Organizational Politics

In-depth analysis of the frameworks that define the activities of internal and external actors in an organization. The  importance and features of strong/good work ethics and effects of unethical behaviour on the organization. Interventions  to create  good work ethics  and the consideration of factors such as   explicit values, cultural norms thoughts during judgment  incentive and cultural norms. Promoting  strong workplace ethics through policies, guidance standards and codes of conduct. Linkage between weak  work ethics and organizational politics. Types of organizational politics, causes and effects on the organization.  Ethics of power and politics in the organization. Overcoming negative consequences of organizational politics.

GOV 925: Public Sector Financial Management

A review of budgeting, the principles and practices of budgeting, basic issues in budgeting, public sector budgeting and budgetary control in Nigeria, budgeting as a tool for  the long term improvement of public finance .Distinguishing Characteristics of Government and Institutional Accounting: State and Local Government Organization for Financial Management; Special Methods of Accounting within the Legal and Financial Constraints for ; Local Government, Hospitals, and state-owned Companies; Planning in the Public Sector; Planning Programming. Measure and quantification of effectiveness; Control and Accountability; Control, Government Control; Reporting and Auditing in the Public Sector; Accountability to the Electorate.

GOV 926: Group Dynamics

Advanced analysis of group behaviour in contemporary organization. Themes for discussion include the conceptual model of group behaviour, individuals and groups in organizations, formal and Informal Organizations, Group Formation and Structure, Attitudes of Individuals, Team Building and Leadership, Small and Large Group Perspective, Personality Theories, Traditional and New Approaches to group Behaviour.

GOV 928: Security Architecture in Africa

This is an advanced course built around security structures, objectives, and principles to achieve safety  in African  states. It is concerned with trans-border security policies; decision-making processes relating to prevention and detection of security threats; management and resolution of crises in conflicts, post-conflicts reconstructions, peace building and development in Africa.

GOV 930: Terrorism and Armed Banditry in Nigeria

The course takes a wider look at the historical security landscape of Nigerian state. It examines in broader terms; the meaning, nature, scope, and causes of terrorism and armed banditry in Nigeria; It looks at the evolution of Boko Haram, Fulani herdsmen, kidnapping for ransom, rape, political motivated heinous crimes, etc. It also assesses its socio-economic posture and remedies.

GOV 932:  Entrepreneurship                                                                                                                                                                                                         

Advanced study of entrepreneurship, mindset of entrepreneurs, Entrepreneurship policies and development in Nigeria. The problems and challenges of business development and wealth creation, the organization and mobilization of resources for the purpose of job creation, the development of linkages for the purpose of enterprise development, the business environment of Nigeria and the opportunities of contemporary globalization for the purpose of advancing small scale enterprise development etc.

GOV 933: Tax Laws and Administration in Nigeria

The is an advanced course  that focuses on the law of taxation in Nigeria with particular references to various taxes, and taxing powers of different levels of government in Nigeria. Tax regime in Nigeria, the role of Tax Authorities at the federal, state and local government levels. The National Tax Policy 0f 2010, its objectives and components. Tax administration and institutions of.

GOV 936: Project Planning and Administration                                        

In-depth study and analysis of the relationship in both theory and practice between the philosophy of government and projects formulation and implementation on the one hand, and how the relationship helps in the understanding of the fundamental purpose of government on the other hand. The concepts of project, planning and administration as analytical categories and as systems of relations useful in the understanding of the rationale behind the invention of the idea of government. It captures the various theories of development planning and administration and seeks to determine their relevance and applications to the environment and the Third World.

GOV 937:  Budget Planning and Administration in Nigeria

This course takes an in-depth  perspective in  the examination and analysis of the procedures and practices of budgeting in Nigeria in the various tiers of government. The political and administrative arrangements of Nigeria alongside the principles and precepts of federalism, politics of resource allocation, legislative oversight and the budgeting process. The Nigerian experience. Budgeting implementation and performance.

GOV 947: Theories of Leadership

This is an advanced course that focuses on various leadership theories. Themes to be examined in this course include -the concept of leadership: leadership styles, theories of leadership, effective leadership, vision, and motivation. Critical thinking, team building, leadership diversity, ethical leadership, innovation in overcoming organizational obstacles; role of leadership in organization or in an entity.  

GOV 951: Bureaucracy and Governance Crisis in Africa

An advanced course that examines the nexus between bureaucracy and governance in Africa. Bureaucracy as the think tank of administration. The origin and nature of bureaucracy in Africa. The nature of the bureaucracy- mode of recruitment, its performance, reforms and how they impact on governance. The decline in bureaucratic ethos, overt politicization, corruption that have changed the  bureaucracy in Africa and  how they are spawning governance crisis in African countries, effects of bureaucratic reforms.

GOV 956: Public Procurement in Nigeria

This is an advanced course that examines public procurement in Nigeria. Evaluation of the procurement process in Nigeria. Ineffective procurement process and corruption. Public Procurement Act 2007 and its effects on governance. Challenges of public procurement in Nigeria  and policy option for its effectiveness.

GOV 962: Processes and Procedures of Tax Evaluation and Assessment       

This is an advanced course that focuses on the processes and procedures of tax evaluation and assessment. Themes to be examined include: Classification of tax payers and the rationale for tax assessment. Classes and types of assessment. Issues such as treatment of capital allowance, administrative assessment,  amended assessment , additional assessment, penalty  of late returns. Rules regarding objection and appeal. Issues and challenges of tax evaluation and assessment in Nigeria and the way out.

GOV 971: Global Governance and Development

This course examines the organization of world politics in the context of globalization and provides an overview of international organizations, such as the United Nations, and regional organizations. The course also examines the historical development of the international system and basic concepts of international relations. It then focuses on international cooperation beyond the confines of formal organizational structures with particular emphasis on international regimes, institutions and norms that govern state practices in particular issue areas from security and peacekeeping to human rights and refugees. The course also takes cursory look at   transnational relations of non-state actors such as non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and multinational corporations including trans-governmental relations of sub-national governments and government agencies that shape policymaking at a global level.

GOV 999: Oral Defense Thesis

An individual research by students under the tutelage of a supervisor on any area of interest in governance studies which shall address what the problem of investigation was, how it was investigated, findings and recommendations. This thesis must make contributions to knowledge and mode of presentation must be in line with the approved format of the Postgraduate School.