Author(s) :

Magajiya Tanko.

Volume/Issue :

Abstract :

The distinction between Public Management and Public Administration continues to generate sustained debate within governance scholarship, particularly in comparative contexts such as Nigeria and the United Kingdom where administrative traditions and reform trajectories differ significantly. The problem stems from the frequent conflation of both concepts despite their divergent philosophical foundations, institutional logics, and operational emphases. While Public Administration is historically grounded in classical bureaucratic theory that prioritises hierarchy, legality, and procedural integrity, Public Management is associated with reform-oriented, market-influenced approaches that emphasise efficiency, decentralisation, and performance outcomes. The objective of this study is to critically examine the conceptual differences and areas of convergence between Public Administration and Public Management, and to assess how both paradigms have shaped governance practices in Nigeria and the United Kingdom. The study adopts a qualitative research design, drawing on secondary sources including peer-reviewed journal articles, policy reports, and historical and institutional documents. Data were analysed using content analysis to identify recurring themes and cross-contextual patterns. The study is anchored on Classical Public Administration Theory, New Public Management (NPM), and Public Value Governance. Findings indicate that the United Kingdom’s governance reforms reflect a stronger institutionalisation of public management principles, including performance contracting and agency-based administration, whereas Nigeria’s public sector still exhibits a hybrid but uneven blend of bureaucratic administration and reform-driven management practices, often constrained by capacity deficits and governance challenges. The study concludes that the two paradigms are complementary rather than mutually exclusive. It recommends the adoption of a balanced hybrid governance model that integrates accountability, rule-based administration, and performance-oriented management. The study contributes to knowledge by providing a comparative analytical perspective that highlights how contextual factors shape the practical integration of both paradigms in differing governance environments. Keywords: Public Administration, Public Management, Governance, New Public Management, Nigeria, United Kingdom, Public Sector Reform, Efficiency and Accountability

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