Public Policy Making Process: Agricultural and Rural Development Polices in Nigeria (1960 to Date)

The main aim of this paper is to highlight that successive Nigerian governments commit policy reversals and somersaults in the public policy making process using the agricultural and rural development policies as focus. In addition, intended policy beneficiaries are not carried along at the policy conception/formulation stage, hence implementation/execution are fraught with avoidable problems. These have been the bane of development efforts from independence to date. The paper is subdivided into: Abstract; Conceptual Issues; Public Policy Making Process; Agricultural and Rural Development Policies ( 1960 to date); Conclusion and Recommendations. The paper concluded cautiously that notwithstanding the odds against incrementalism as a decision-making model, since it seeks to guarantee continuity in government policies and programmes, it can redress the phenomena of policy reversals and somersaults which have become endemic in the Nigerian public policy making process. The paper recommended a collaborative approach with the critical section and stakeholders in the policy making process in order to stem the tide of disconnection between policy beneficiaries and the government. The paper also canvassed massive investment in training, research and development programmes through the strengthening of research centreslinsti tu tes