| dc.description.abstract | Background: In every human organisation, there is bound to be conflict of ideas because
everyone wants his or her viewpoint to take precedent over others. There are those who want
to be on top of every situation irrespective of those involved or the issue at stake. However, a
proactive bureaucratic leadership should be able to find a way out of these quagmires.
Aim: Within the framework of the strategic elite theory, this article examines the nexus
between bureaucratic conflict and public interest in Africa, as well as challenges confronting
bureaucracy in the pursuit of public interest with specific reference to Nigeria.
Method: This article adopts a qualitative approach and is descriptive in nature, with the
researcher setting out to illustrate the association that exists between the dependent and
independent variables. Authoritative scholarly sources were reviewed during a desktop
study. The purpose was to identify the relevant publications and apply them in the research.
Results: This article argues that whilst conflict generally is an inevitable outcome of human
interactions. However, conflict is more common in a bureaucratic organisation where issues
of power and influence are always a source of contention amongst the Ministries, Departments
and Agencies (MDAs). Therefore, resolving the basis for the existence of the MDAs that will
ultimately inculcate in the bureaucrats a new worldview.
Conclusion: It therefore, concludes that there should be countervailing forces to put the
bureaucracy on check. This includes: strengthening interest groups, the pursuit of
institutionalism, ethical reorientation in the public service, amongst other measures. However,
to achieve this, requires a critical mass of men and women of integrity, doggedly and ruggedly
committed to Africa’s project and ready to subsume their personal interests under that of the
national interests. | en_US |
