The Concept of Personhood in Governance in Africa: A Case of Yoruba Nigerians

This paper investigates the Nigerian Yorubas’ perspective of the concept of personhood in respect to governance. The paper appraises the Yorubas’ belief on the meaning of human being and personhood. The finding of this paper is that the Yoruba people of Nigeria believe that all men who are alive are human beings but it is not all human beings that have the qualities of personhood. This paper therefore critically considers what makes a human being to be regarded as a person. Based on this principle, the paper’s finding is that not all those who are at the helm of political leadership are persons, because many of them do not possess the qualities that make them to be regarded as persons. With the adoption of descriptive, case study and causal designs, and second data collection, the paper investigates why many of those in governance in Africa are just mere men, who do not possess what makes human beings to become persons. In the actual fact, this is the reason why Africa remains underdeveloped. This research work therefore is of the perspective that what makes a human being to be a person includes the man’s social aspects, moral uprightness and human integrity. Based on this premise, the paper further recommends among others that those who are in governance in Africa, need to work on their moral conduct, integrity and to also improve on their social relations with the people they govern. Conclusively, this paper is of the opinion that before Africa can compete adequately with other continents of the world, leaders in all sphere of life should begin to see their responsibilities beyond the level of their personal and families benefit, but to use their calling and responsibilities as means to serve others and to improve the lots of those they are called to serve