ANPA Moves to Strengthen Public Administration Practice in Nigeria, Enlists Over 500 Members
Oru Leonard
The Association of Nigeria Public Administrators (ANPA) has intensified efforts to advance the theory and practice of public administration in Nigeria, with over 500 members and coordinators across 30 states of the federation.
Established in 2020 by scholars and practitioners in public administration, the association seeks to provide a dedicated professional platform for promoting excellence, research, professional development and the advancement of administrative practices in Nigeria.
The Chairman of ANPA’s Board of Trustees, Professor Kamal Bello, disclosed that the association was established to address the longstanding absence of a specialised professional body dedicated to public administration, despite the discipline’s extensive academic history in the country.
According to the association, public administration has been studied in Nigerian universities since the early 1960s, particularly at institutions such as the University of Nigeria, Nsukka; Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; and Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.
However, scholars and practitioners in the field have often had to associate with professional bodies primarily focused on political science and management sciences, creating the need for an organisation specifically dedicated to public administration.
ANPA was therefore established to bridge this professional gap by bringing together academics, administrators and other practitioners to promote the discipline and strengthen its contributions to national development.
Registration and Institutional Compliance
To ensure its legal recognition and operational credibility, ANPA is registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).
The association has also registered with the Special Control Unit against Money Laundering (SCUML), an agency under the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), as part of its commitment to transparency and accountability.
According to the association, these registrations support its institutional operations, including the maintenance of its bank account with First Bank of Nigeria.
Annual Conferences, Research and Publications
Since its establishment, ANPA has recorded several milestones in its efforts to promote public administration as a distinct professional discipline.
One of its major activities is the organisation of annual international conferences, which provide platforms for scholars, practitioners and other stakeholders to exchange ideas, examine contemporary administrative challenges and explore solutions for improving public-sector governance.
The association said its sixth international conference is scheduled to be announced soon.
ANPA has also sustained the publication of its journals, providing opportunities for academic research, professional discourse and the dissemination of knowledge on public administration.
The association noted that its journal publications are available on its official website, enabling interested scholars, researchers and practitioners to access its intellectual contributions.
Membership and Nationwide Expansion
ANPA currently has more than 500 members drawn from diverse professional and academic backgrounds, supported by coordinators in 30 states of the federation.
The association said its membership structure is designed to accommodate students, emerging professionals, experienced administrators, academics and distinguished individuals who have made significant contributions to public administration.
Eligibility is open to individuals with relevant academic qualifications, including National Diploma (ND), Higher National Diploma (HND), bachelor’s degrees, Master’s in Public Administration (MPA), Master of Science (MSc), Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and other related qualifications.
Administrators with relevant professional experience are also eligible, subject to the association’s membership requirements.
ANPA operates four membership categories: Student Member, Associate Member, Full Member and Fellow.
The tiered structure is intended to provide different entry points for individuals at various stages of their academic and professional development.
Promoting Professional Standards in Public Administration
The association’s establishment reflects growing recognition of the importance of professional competence, research and effective administrative practices in strengthening public institutions.
Public administration remains central to policy implementation, public-service delivery, institutional management and the coordination of government programmes. The quality of administrative leadership and professional capacity can therefore significantly influence governance outcomes and national development.
Through its conferences, publications, membership network and professional engagement, ANPA aims to create a stronger community of public administrators capable of contributing to improved administrative systems and more effective public institutions.
The association is encouraging eligible academics, students and practitioners to explore its membership opportunities and participate in its activities.
Professor Kamal Bello, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, reaffirmed the association’s commitment to advancing public administration in Nigeria through professional collaboration, knowledge development and the promotion of sound administrative practices.
