GOVERNANCE AND AGRICULTURE: IMPLICATIONS FOR NATION BUILDING IN NIGERIA'S FOURTH REPUBLIC, 1999 2015

Scholars are locked in debates concerning reasons responsible for consistent and phenomenal declines in agricultural productivity in Nigeria. Implicated for this state of affairs are colonialism, crude implement usage and oil boom among others. Alone or in combination, thesefactors/forces are strong and capable of impeding agriculture andfood security with frightening adverse consequences on nation-building. This paper however opines that governance remains the greatest obstacle thereto. State fragility theory was used as a premisefor the study, while books, journals and internet et cetera ; served as sources of data. After investigations, it was found out that agriculture failed largely due to misappropriation of resources earmarked for agricultural purposes by leaders.. More disturbing was the finding that political apathy. among majority , of the electorates created room for emergence of bad and unaccountable leadership. By way of solution, it is hereby suggested that sustained and aggressive enlightenment campaign be mounted by Civil Society Organizations for active participation of people (the electorates) in the socio-political affairs of the country. Moreover, vibrant and functional cooperative societies and community development associations be formed by the people, especially peasant farmers that will promote agriculture among them