Governance of State-Owned Enterprises and Service Delivery Performance in Adamawa State

This study examines the governance of state-owned enterprises and its effect on service delivery performance in Adamawa State, located in the North East geopolitical zone of Nigeria. State-owned enterprises remain significant providers of utilities, transportation, and social services in many Nigerian states, yet poor governance has consistently limited their capacity to deliver efficiently. Governance deficiencies including weak boards, political appointments, and insufficient performance accountability are frequently cited as causes of service failure. Drawing on the OECD Guidelines on Corporate Governance of State-Owned Enterprises and Nigeria's public enterprise reform literature, this study investigates governance practices in five state enterprises and their measurable service delivery outcomes. A case study design is adopted, combining document analysis, stakeholder surveys, and interviews with fifteen enterprise managers and board members. Service delivery performance is assessed using output metrics, customer satisfaction surveys, and audit compliance records. The study anticipates that enterprises with professionalised boards and performance contracts demonstrate superior service delivery outcomes. Findings will guide the Adamawa State government, the Bureau of Public Enterprises, and reform partners in designing governance improvements for public enterprises. Keywords: state-owned enterprise governance, service delivery, performance, corporate governance, Adamawa State.