Strengthening Participatory Democracy through Participatory Budgeting

Strengthening Participatory Democracy through Participatory Budgeting by Babatunde Adesegun Sobanjo MBA, DeVry University, 2010 Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, 1978 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Public Policy and Administration Walden University August 2016  Although participatory budgeting (PB) was introduced in Sub Saharan Africa in 2005, it has yet to be widely adopted. While PB has great potential to enhance citizen participation in the democratic process, little academic research has focused on the utility of PB as a mechanism for citizen empowerment in the region. The purpose of this case study was to gain further understanding of the role of civil society in educating andAlthough participatory budgeting (PB) was introduced in Sub Saharan Africa in 2005, it has yet to be widely adopted. While PB has great potential to enhance citizen participation in the democratic process, little academic research has focused on the utility of PB as a mechanism for citizen empowerment in the region. The purpose of this case study was to gain further understanding of the role of civil society in educating and empowering the citizens of Ijede LCDA in Lagos State, Nigeria to participate effectively in budgetary decision making processes. The data were gathered from 15 semistructured, one on one interviews of purposefully selected participants that included adult citizens of Ijede, government officials, politicians, and representatives of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) connected to the budget process, two follow up focus groups with participants, and analysis of government budgetary documents. Using Avritzer's theory of participatory institutions as the foundation, the study explored stakeholder perceptions of how citizens can be effectively educated and empowered to participate in the PB process. The data revealed the fragility of PB when local government officials suspended the process because other financial demands were considered more expedient than PB, a situation made possible in the absence of a legal framework institutionalizing the process. Another major theme uncovered is that PB must engage community based organizations to be effective. Positive social change in the form of enhanced citizen participation in the political process can come about in Nigeria if PB is implemented under an institutionalized legal framework that guarantees sustainability. Strengthening Participatory Democracy through Participatory Budgeting by Babatunde Adesegun Sobanjo MBA, Devry University, 2010 Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, 1978 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Public Policy and Administration Walden University August 2016 Dedication I dedicate this dissertation to the memory of the following people: To my father, Gilbert Adejimi Sobanjo, whose dream was for his children to stand on the same stage as those of the rich and famous. To my mother, Abigail Abiodun Sobanjo whose uncommon love saw me through very challenging times. To my sister, Olubunmi Somorin, who made possible the opportunity to become an accountant at an age considered at the time as immature. To my brother, Dr. Adesino Sobanjo, my protector and my confidant whose thirst for knowledge gave me the courage to embark on this journey. Acknowledgments I am grateful to Dr. Ozymy, my committee chair, who agreed to work with me after I had been in the wilderness for a year. Dr. Oz, I thank you for the knowledge and experience you shared with me. Dr. Matarelli, I cannot thank you enough for standing by me and believing in me from the start of the writing of this dissertation. I am grateful to all my participants at Ijede for their cooperation and the love they showed to me during my fieldwork. I especially thank Dewunmi Ogunbambi, who gave me all the support I needed to succeed before and during fieldwork. To all the members of staff of Ijede Local Development Area, I thank you for honoring me during the short period I spent with you. The dissertation journey is usually a very lonely trip, but Dr. Samuel Ekong and Agada Elachi agreed to be my companion on the voyage. I thank you both. Tolu, I thank you too. Finally, I give great honor to Him, who molded me, knows me, and keeps me and all that are mine: The Almighty.