CHAPTER ONE GENERAL INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study

The significance of policy implementation in the policy process can never be

overemphasised. This is because policy implementation is a stage that accomplishes the actual

decision made at the beginning of policy making process. The aim of any policy package is

perhaps to produce fully-fledged outcomes at the end of its implementation. In this regard,

certain structures and institutions are put in place for successful implementation. Irrespective of

the nature of the structures and institutions, what is required from them is their function for the

realisation of the policy objectives.

The realisation of the policy objectives is normally hampered and challenged by a variety of

factors. These factors are multi-dimensional in nature and perhaps affect implementation process

in multi-dimensional ways. Some of these factors are believed to be environmental which can be

physical, natural, economic and socio-cultural. It is, however, argued that socio-cultural factors

of the policy environment have become worthy of consideration in the process of policy

implementation.

However, the major concern of this study is the socio-cultural factors which encompass the

general way of life of people and belief systems in terms of religious value system, artifacts,

symbols, family and language. These factors as captured by Armenakis and Kiefer (2007) are the

interacting elements of the policy environment that determine or influence the implementation of

certain policies. Policies or programmes that are meant for people have to be accepted by them

and to be in conformity with their culture and social values. People and their culture constitute

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part of policy environment and are supposed to be directors of their affairs in terms of

implementation.

It is in line with this that Sprout and Sprout (1967) warn policy makers and implementers to

consider policy environment in the process of policy making and implementation. As a result of

the negligence of such warning, Nigeria has been failing to have successful implementation of

some policies. One of such policies that became very tendentious was the population policy of

the 1980s, which created serious controversy due to the fact that it was not in conformity with

the socio-cultural dispositions of the Nigerian people. Another policy that creates serious storms

is the National Policy on Polio Eradication which came up after the declaration on the survival,

protection and development of children as articulated at the 49th World Health Assembly (WHA)

in 1988. This declaration was reinforced during the 1990s World Summit for children that took

place in New York (National Immunisation Policy, 2009).

Nigeria, being a signatory to this declaration has been committed to have achieved polio

eradication. It adopts different strategies and commits a lot of resources for the eradication of the

disease, but hitherto, it is yet to be eradicated due to rejection and resistance to the programme.

However, 2003 marked the beginning of massive resistance to oral polio vaccine (OPV) by some

of the political, traditional and religious leaders of the northern part of the country. This

resistance led to the total stoppage of the programme and continued re-infection of the disease

within and outside the country.

In 2006, among the four (4) polio endemic countries that were known as PAIN states

(Pakistan, Afghanistan, India and Nigeria) in the World, Nigeria alone accounted for over 50%

of the globally reported cases of the disease. However, cases of polio continued to be reported

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especially in many states of the Northern part of Nigeria (Kabir et al, 2006). Kano State

constituted the most prone to poliomyelitis due to the suspension of the immunisation process.

Although the Kaduna State Government did not suspend polio immunisation in totality, some

residents voiced opposition to mass polio immunisations and Western involvement in the

Nigerian immunisation campaigns, especially in Northern part of the State which comprises the