It is axiomatic to posit that bureaucracy occupies a prominent position in the study of public administration. The power and authority over a well-organized bureaucracy is overwhelming and overbearing. The political office holder finds himself always flowing and sinking in bureaucratic interpretations of his action. This sinking and flowing find expression in developmental states. Moreover, the success of developmental state is located in a professional bureaucracy that makes and implies policy in alliance with the elites. This paper examines the socio-economic and political reforms under former President Obasanjo which were efforts made to promote developmental state in Nigeria. It explores conceptual issues in a thematic perspective and identifies the major problems associated with Nigeria’s inability to record the success of developmental states across the globe. Keywords: Developmental States, Bureaucracy, Reforms, Elites and Public Policy

It is axiomatic to posit that bureaucracy occupies a prominent position in the study of public administration. The power and authority over a well-organized bureaucracy is overwhelming and overbearing. The political office holder finds himself always flowing and sinking in bureaucratic interpreta...