By Ben Ngwakwe, Gombe
The Department of Public Administration, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Gombe State University (GSU), is set to hold its maiden International Conference with the theme; “Governance, Insecurity and National Development in Nigeria: Issues and Challenges.”
A statement issued on Thursday in Gombe by the Chairman of the Conference Organising Committee, Dr. Lawal Oladimeji, said the conference is anchored on the urgent need to interrogate governance processes in Nigeria, especially as they relate to insecurity and national development.
According to the statement, governance remains the central mechanism through which the state exercises political and administrative authority. “Government has the responsibility of accelerating national development by promoting peaceful coexistence, improving access to quality infrastructure and raising the socio-economic wellbeing of the people,” it noted.
Oladimeji explained that despite Nigeria’s 65 years of statehood and the country’s ranking in the 2025 Human Development Index (HDI) as a medium-development nation, the everyday realities of citizens tell a different story. Rising youth unemployment, deepening poverty, and worsening insecurity—manifesting in insurgency, banditry, and kidnapping—continue to pose major threats.
“These challenges point to gaps in governance and underscore Nigeria’s slow progress in achieving national development,” the statement added.
The conference invites academics, scholars, policymakers, and practitioners in Public Administration and related fields to submit original papers addressing governance, insecurity, and development challenges in Nigeria.
Sub-themes of the conference include: Public Policy Making and Implementation: Education, Housing, Transportation, Agriculture, Healthcare Policy and Institutions.
Public Sector Management and Governance: Public service reforms, ethical issues, proliferation and funding of educational institutions.
Local Government Autonomy and Administration: Joint accounts, financial dependence, political interference, inadequate capacity.
Development Agendas: Implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Security Agencies: Strategies in combating crime and criminality.
Economic Issues: Foreign exchange unification, fuel subsidy removal, inflation, poverty, unemployment.
Social Welfare Administration: Social security, pension systems, correctional services.
Private Sector Regulation and Performance.
Traditional Institutions in Peace and Conflict Management.
The keynote address will be delivered by the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Abubakar Ibrahim Njodi. Lead paper presenters include Professor Suleiman Abubakar Olanrewaju, Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), Abuja, and AIG Enyinaya Adiogu, Assistant Inspector-General of Police, FCID (Annex), Gombe.
The Special Guest of Honour is Alhaji Abubakar Hassan, Director-General and Permanent Secretary, Gombe State Bureau for Public Service Reform.
The Royal Father of the Day is Alhaji Abubakar Shehu Abubakar III, Chairman, Gombe State Council of Emirs and Chiefs. The Chief Host is the Vice-Chancellor of GSU, Professor Sani Ahmed Yauta, while the Head of Department, Professor Matthew Funsho Bello, serves as the host.
The conference will take place at Haruna Rashid Hall, Gombe State University, from Tuesday 25 to Wednesday 26 November 2025, while participants are expected to depart on Thursday, 27 November 2025.
