Islamic Ethics and Good Governance: A Normative Blueprint for Lagos State, Nigeria

Abstract

The governance crisis in Nigeria, and in Lagos State particularly, is frequently diagnosed in institutional, economic, and administrative terms. However, such analyses often overlook the ethical substratum upon which political systems ultimately rest. This paper argues that persistent deficits of corruption, leadership failure, civic disengagement, and public distrust are symptoms of deeper moral dislocation. Drawing on Islamic ethical philosophy (‘ilm al- akhlāq), Qur’anic governance principles, Prophetic political practice, and contemporary governance theory, the paper constructs a normative and operational framework for ethical leadership and responsible citizenship. It proposes a practical blueprint for Muslim political participation that moves beyond identity-based representation toward ethical transformation of governance culture. The study concludes that integrating Islamic ethical imperatives with modern governance mechanisms offers viable pathways for justice-centered, accountable, and participatory governance in contemporary Lagos.