ABSTRACT
The aim of the study was to evaluate the role of the Ministry of National Planning (MNP) as the coordinating ministry of National Development Planning in Nigeria. Questionnaires designed and administered on principal subjects in the MNP, other Federal Ministries,
State Governments and Organised Private Sector (OPS) were to classify the level of performance of overall activity of MNP in the coordination of National Development efforts. Internal and External coordinating activities of the MNP were also addressed, as well as other related factors that may hinder or promote effective coordination of National Development Plan by these questionnaires.
The study found that the level of overall activity of the MNP in the coordination of National Development Plan is above average and thus effective. When internal and external coordination are considered, it was found that insufficient cooperation between the planning authorities
some was largely responsible for/ineffective coordination of development efforts. Organised Private Sector, State Governments and
other planning bodies were marginalised in varying degrees. The marginalisation of these bodies in the planning process significantly eroded the degree of effectiveness of plan coordination in Nigeria. Political, financial and other factors were found to have, in
association with administrative^or institutional problems compounded coordination of national development efforts in Nigeria.
The recommendation made in the study included mustering necessary political will to restructure, the present Coordinating Ministry, with the view to upgrade it to a National Planning Commission headed by the Chief Executive or his Deputy
