<p>Public administration and development administration represent two interwoven pillars critical to good governance and National development. Public Administration is expected to provide the institutional framework for achieving the objectives of development administration within the framework of available resources. In Nigeria, this has not been the case. Public Administration in Nigeria appears to operate within a complex framework of political, cultural, bureaucratic, and institutional challenges that shape its dynamics and effectiveness, influencing developmental outcomes. This study investigates the interplay between public administration and development administration in Nigeria, focusing on how administrative capacity, policy implementation, and institutional reforms affect development efforts. Using a qualitative research design, the paper examines the evolving functions, challenges, and reform initiatives within Nigeria’s administrative framework, drawing on secondary data from journal articles, policy documents, and government reports. The findings reveal a persistent gap between policy formulation and implementation, weak institutional synergy, and limited capacity in public service delivery, all of which continue to impede development progress. The intricacies lie in issues of bureaucratic inefficiency, corruption, policy inconsistency, and the politicisation of the Public service, all of which hinder development efforts in the country. The paper recommends that strengthening institutional frameworks, professionalising the public service, and enhancing accountability mechanisms are essential for aligning public administration with development objectives. It also recommends sustained reforms in administrative practices, greater policy coherence, and citizen participation as pathways for transforming Nigeria’s public sector into a vehicle for sustainable development. This study implies that achieving the objectives of national development in developing countries requires a professional and efficient public administration. This is because Public Administration constitutes the main institution for policy implementation.</p>