Elitism and Educational Development in Nigeria: The nexus of elite theories
This study investigates the role of elites in the distribution of resources, dividend of democracy, good governance and basic development in Nigeria with specific analogy drown from elite theories (the ruling class, elite circulation and power elites). Elites are the few privileged individuals, both military and civil, technocrats, business tycoons, merchants and professional who control the levers of power, influence and the political landscapes. They constitute and determine the helms of affairs. The research is succinctly descriptive and analytic. It adopted critical phenomenology for data collection using secondary methods. The specific objective is to analyze elite practices in Nigeria, the citing of projects and especially public universities. The study found out that irrespective of political affiliations, political elites are of the same characterization. Therefore, the study recommended strict adherence to rule of law, good governance, equal political patronage, and fair distribution of resources and a development commission.
Keywords: Elites, public universities, development, politics and equity.
