Biblical Wisdom Literature as a Model for Ethical Governance in Nigeria

This paper investigates how the ethical teachings of Old Testament Wisdom Literature—particularly from Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and selected Psalms—can inform models of ethical leadership relevant to the challenges facing contemporary Nigeria in particular and African governance in general. Drawing on Ethical Leadership Theory and African Communitarian Ethics, the study explores core themes such as integrity, humility, justice, and accountability as presented in biblical wisdom texts and considers their relevance for countering corruption and leadership crises across Africa. Using a qualitative methodology that includes textual and comparative analysis, the research engages in close readings of biblical passages alongside contemporary African socio-political realities. Supplemented by interviews with church leaders, religious scholars, and theologians, and a case study approach examining African leadership contexts, this study argues for a contextual theological model of leadership that aligns with both biblical principles and African cultural values. The study concludes that a wisdom-based leadership model—rooted in divine reverence, communal accountability, and institutional reform—offers a transformative framework for ethical governance in Nigeria.