The African Development Bank views good governance as one that embodies and promotes effective states,
mobilised civil societies and productive private sectors. While the United Nations development programme (UNDP, 1996) sees good governance as a commitment and the capability to effectively address the allocation and management of resources to respond to collective problems. According to organisation for economic cooperation and development (OECD) (UNESCO, 2005) good governance has eight major characteristics. It is participatory, consensus oriented, accountable, transparent, responsive, effective and efficient, equitable and inclusive and follows the rule of law. It assures that
corruption is minimized, the views of minorities are taken into account and that the voices of the most vulnerable in society are heard in decision-making (OECD, 2001). Within this purview, Nigeria’s Vision 2010 document defined good governance thus; Good governance means accountability in all its ramifications. It also means the rule of law and an unfettered judiciary; that is freedom of expression and choice in political association. Good governance means transparency, equity and honesty in public office. In the Nigerian context, good governance calls for constitutional rule and a true federal system. These are the basic pedestals on which any vision of development rests on.