Yusuf Oke LAWAL, PhD

The preponderance of arbitrariness of government functionary in Nigeria is an abeyance of the rule of law. No doubt, constitutional adherence of the rule of law protects rights and privileges of both the leader and the led as contained in chapter IV of the 1999 constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999(as amended). But, abnegation of the supremacy of law results in high wave of corruption, injustice, inefficiency and infringement of fundamental rights where laws are subjugated to the whims and caprices of political leaders and bureaucrats thereby engendering socio- economic well-being imbalance and political instability. This study examines the role of the rule of law on national development in Nigeria. It employs content analysis and relied on information from archives. The study concludes that absence of tranquility and orderliness are dynamics of arbitrariness of the rule of law. The study therefore recommends that law makers and top government functionaries should be subjected to the rule of law to facilitate stability, peace, orderliness and good governance which are veritable tools for national development