NAME: ADEDOLAPO IBIDOLA ROLUGA

MATRIC NUMBER: 189015089

SESSION: 2019/2020
YEAR: 2
NAME OF PROJECT SUPERVISOR: PROFESSOR DAVID
AWORAWO
PROJECT TOPIC:

1.) Government Policy and Nigeria’s Economic Development. (1990-2020)

1.0 Introduction
Government policy is an ancient means and tool in the history of human governance. Every leader at the
different levels of government had used their power and authority to adopt means to manage and govern
their populace. In medieval times, government policies have been more narrow head. Comparable with
the complex, and continuing, process of state formation (and de-formation) begun in late medieval and
early modern Europe (Tilly 1975), government policy has come to refer more specifically both to what
governments do as they transact with civil society, the economy, and states within a global state system
and to the creation and deployment of knowledge about these sites of authoritative transactions 1.

Government policy can be defined as the Governmental initiatives, means and tools in which its agendas’
are met. It is also a set of rules and regulations that the government put in place with the aim to better the
life of its citizens. In some countries, it is also referred to as Public policy. Anke Hassel also defines it as
“a set of decisions by governments and other political actors to influence, change, or frame a problem or
issue that has been recognized as in the political realm by policy makers and/or the wider public” 2.

Policy can be categorized into two: Public and Foreign policy.

Public policy can be defined as the policy that is formulated for the internal benefits of the state.

Foreign policy can be said to be a set of strategies and goals a state forms to guide them on the things they
intend to achieve or be known for in the International system. It is a series of policies the formed by the
politicians which they use their foreign diplomats as a tool to achieve those goals. The policies may be
strategically meant to either achieve in their relations with other stats in the international system or in its
relations with foreign state.

1.1 Background of the study

The aim of this project is to analyses the problems of government policy making and implementation in
Nigeria in over the last two decades. This project aims to explore the politics inherent in government policy
formulation and implementation in Nigerian from 1990 to 2020. This project tends to solve the yearning
Nigerian economic and national problems through the use of the public and foreign polices. Studies has shown
that the major limitations to implementation of government policies has being tribalism, politicization,
nepotism, bribery and corruption are among the major problems against effective public policy implementation
in Nigeria. This can also be traced to the colonial period, where the British leadership tended to favoured the
Northern part over the south. They showed this in the way and manner they carried out their duties. The
southern people felt ostracized. In the cause of running their administration, it was evident that the British
favoured the North as they fully embraced their Indirect rule of governance, but the Southern, which had a lot
of educated youths, did not welcome their approach to governance.

1
Katznelson Ira, (International Encyclopedia of the Social & Behavioral Sciences, 2001)
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/social-sciences/government-policy
2
Anke Hassel, Public Policy. (International Encyclopedia of the Social & Behavioral Sciences, Second Edition, 2015)
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/social-sciences/government-policy
As the British never prioritized fostering unity among Nigeria’s disparate peoples, colonialism left Nigeria
deeply divided3.

The development plans in Nigeria can be classified under three eras. These are the Era of Fixed- Term
Planning (1962-85), the Era of Rolling Plan (1990-1998), and the New Democratic Dispensation (1999 till
date). The Era of Fixed Medium Term Plan (1962-1985) witnessed four successful plans in Nigeria. These are
the First National Development Plan (1962-1968), the JORIND Second National Development Plan (1970-
1974), the Third National Development Plan (1975-1980) and the Fourth National Development Plan (1981-
1985). The first plan covered the period 1962-63-1967-68 and provided for capital expenditure of 2.2 billion
Naira. The implementation of the plan was extended to 1969-70 due to the Nigerian civil war. One major
employment promotion scheme in the First National Development Plan was the establishment of the National
Manpower Board (NMB) in 1962. The Second National Development Plan covers the period 1970-1974 with a
capital expenditure of about 3 billion Naira. The Plan witnessed attempts to rectify some of the shortcomings
of the first development plan. The planning machinery was strengthened, the need for public input was
recognized by preceding the plan preparation by a national conference on economic development and
reconstruction, and the need for inputs from various levels of government, ministries and agencies especially
relevant planning agencies like the National Manpower Board and Federal Office of Statistics, and an
Advisory Body made up of representatives drawn from the universities, trade union, other ministries and the
private sector.

The Third National Development Plan began in 1975 with a plan total capital expenditure of 30 billion Naira.
This was later revised to 43.3 billion Naira. In terms of sheer magnitude, the Third National Development Plan
represented a major departure from its predecessors and constituted a watershed in the country’s planning
experience (Federal Ministry of National Planning, 1981). However, the government could only spend N29.43
billion out of the projected expenditure of N43.3 billion as reviewed. The Fourth National Development plan
covers the period 1981-1985. The overriding aim of the plan is to bring about an improvement in the living
conditions of the people. The Plan is the first plan to be formulated by a democratically elected government
under a new constitution based on the presidential system of government. Again, with a projected capital
expenditure of 82 billion, the plan is considerably bigger than all its predecessors. Thirdly, it is the first plan in
which the local governments participated in its design and formulation (Federal Ministry of National Planning,
1981).4

Thus, there is need for the government, private entities and the entire Nigerian citizens to join hands in
agreement, weed out corruption, ensure merit in employment, strengthen institutions and develop positive
ownership of public policies to lift the development policies to a level of effective and efficient performance
for all to derive maximum benefit.

Government Policy is basically ‘whatever government chooses to do or not to do’. Thus, public policy
consists of the actions and inactions of governments thus; governments’ decision not to act is in itself
public policy. Public policy is chiefly the preserve of government and it is only government’s decision
that is counted as public policy. Nevertheless, governments’ decision goes through a complex interactive
process influenced by the diverse nature of socio-political and other environmental factors.

3
Adiele E. Afigbo, “Background to Nigerian Federalism: Federal Features in the Colonial State,” Publius, Vol. 21, No.
4 (1991), pp. 13–29.
4
Project Writers Ng, “NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN AND PLANNING FROM 1968 TILL DATE; THE NIGERIAN
EXPERIENCE”. (2016) https://www.projectwriters.ng/national-development-plan-and-planning-from-1968-till-date-
the-nigerian-experience/
1.2 Statement of problem
Find below the various problems associated with implementing good government policies

1. High level of insecurity in the country:

The high level of insecurity in the country has hindered the ways business has been conducted round the
country. The security officials have being unable to reduce crime in the country to the barest minimum.
At some point in Nigeria, there was high level of kidnapping of expatriates in the Niger Delta region of
Nigeria. Of recent times, there has being an increase in the operations of terrorist groups like Boko
Haram, Fulani Herdsmen, One Million boys, etc. This has affected various businesses like agriculture,
transportation, tourism, etc. That is why it is essential to raise the bar in boosting the army with the
required armed weapons and the tactical knowhow to carry out their duties to the best of their abilities.
The foreign diplomats will need to come up with a system with countries like Israel, China, United States
of America, France, Japan, etc on how well they can either help us with the equipments or the technology
we need to boost our armed forces. Nigeria has being regarded as having the best Guerrilla forces in
Africa, but it is a shame we cannot boast of securing our own borders.

2. Poor Economic Infrastructure:

The poor level of the infrastructure in place in Nigeria has made the ease of doing business very difficult
and expensive. The basic amenities needed to foster a good environment for business to strive have either
not in place or not easy to get access to. Some of the amenities are bad road system, poor electricity
supply, no access to clean water, bad rain way system to be used to carry heavy items to long distances.

3. Bribery and Corruption:

Bribery and corruption has become a chronic, if not the major, problem of Nigeria and the whole of
Africa. In the policy setting, corruption accounts for most of the difficulties faced at the implementation
stage. Policy actors both at the top level and at the field syphon financial resources to satisfy themselves.
Agents and institutions put in place to ensure accountability are also bribed to falsify their reports and
massage their probing. The budget allocated for the projects are usually over estimated and the major
share is being shared among the politicians and the contractors, leaving very little for the contractors to
use as operational cost to execute the job. In the end, the system is weakened and the formulated policies
are unable to achieve their stated goals.

4. Politicization of Public Policies in Nigeria:

In Nigeria, most policies take place with much difficulty if not total failure and are usually affected by the
politics of the day. Many politicians usually politicize their economic policies to suit or foster their
political ambitions or political party goals as against the general good of the people. New governments
come into office and fail to continue with the policies started by the previous opposition government. We
have even see case where a newly elected official will do things in his power to spoil or ridicule the
works of his predecessor who happen to be in the same political party because he did not his political
ambitions. In rare cases, the best they can do is to rename the policy or enlarge it to substitute for other
extraneous societal issues.
5. Lack of involvement of Technocrats in economic negotiations and policy formation

Nigeria government haves a bad habit of involving unequipped politicians in various portfolios as a result
of their loyalty and not as a result of their technical knowhow. Even in trade agreements between states in
the international systems. Our Presidents are known for carrying along fellow governors and serving
National Assembly members in international trade negotiations instead of Professors or experienced
hands with the good negotiations skills to help us bargain good deals that will benefit the people of
Nigeria as well as the Western country. We need to establish a system of merit in choosing the
technocrats that will help to move the country forward. These policies are most times not even formed for
the interest of the target people, who are the general citizens. Rather, the corrupt law makers look for
policies that will benefit them. Many of the foreign diplomats we have do not have background
knowledge on International Relations, but are selected due to political allegiance.

1.3 Aims and Objectives of the study

My aims and objectives which I intend to achieve as a result of this project are not only limited to below:

The need to postulate policies that will foster economic growth and development within the
shortest possible time. Nigeria has been regarded as the giant of Africa sincev the 1970’s but
economically we have not been living to that high title.
1. Using human and natural resources as a tool to bridge the gap between economic growth and
wealth creation. Finding more efficient and effective use of resources to promote a more
conducive business environment and social harmony for growth
2. The formation of a foreign policy provide easy information to potential foreign investors and a
cerain environment to aid ease of doing business in Nigeria .New foreign policies needs to be
formed and giving to every foreign diplomat represent Nigeria to serve as a their guide in
achieving the countries vision.
3. To suggest ways we can make efficient use of human and natural resources to achieve rapid
economic growth
4. To postulate ways that the economic growth can translate into equitable social development for
all citizens
5. Bridging the infrastructure gap to unleash economic growth and wealth creation
6. Optimizing the sources of economic growth to increase productivity and competitiveness
7. Building a productive, competitive and functional human resource base, for economic growth and
social advancement
8. Finding new ways of improving the governance, security, law and order in the country.
9. Fostering accelerated, sustainable social and economic development in a competitive and
environmentally friendly manner
1. 4 Significance of study
The deteriorating level of the economic development in the country has continued to move at an increased
rate. In 2019, Nigeria witnessed on of the highest inflation rates worldwide reaching 11.3%. This has had
an adverse effect in the amount loss of well skilled labour to foreign lands and the brain drain effect on
many of the remaining youths. The need to come up with new solutions to the Economic problems we are
faced with day in day out, as fast as possible before the country’s economic depression falls into a place
of no return. The necessity of deepening reforms at all levels of government, while strengthening of the
separation of powers between the legislative and executive arms of government with an aim of enhancing
the independence of the legislature.

Furthermore, the need to foster Nigeria’s economic strength by making the most out of vast natural
resources we possess and make trade agreements with neighbouring and western states. Nigeria has many
natural resources that are needed by our neighbor states and the industrial states. We need to make a new
foreign strategy to foster diplomatic relationships with countries that are in need of various natural
resources we posses. Our diplomats can engage many states that possess great purchasing power and
strike strategic plans to give them easy leverage to bring foreign investment into the country.

More also, establishing appropriate mechanisms to allow for civic engagement and citizen participation,
most especially the effective participation of women, in public policy development and implementation,
to ensure that, apart from periodically electing their representatives, the people are continually involved in
decisions and activities affecting them, either directly as individuals or through civil society
organizations, such as community based organizations and unique interest groups. Increasing investment
opportunities in critical infrastructure areas while developing a framework for joint financing of
infrastructure projects between the tiers of government, and encouraging private investment in
infrastructure.

Also we need to promote the private sector-led non-oil growth to strengthen the foundation for economic
diversification of the country. The need to correct the weak revenue allocation system which relies mainly
on revenue from crude oil, by encouraging each state to look seriously inward in ways of generating
internal revenue at the state and local government levels. Investment in human capital development to
enhance national competitiveness, among each state, will have an advance effect of the general PBT of
the country.

Intensifying the war against corruption will drive the nation forward. On 28 th January, 2021, Nigeria
dropped ranking of 2020 corruption rating from 146 in 2019 to 149 in 2020, in the report released by
Transparency International5. This is the country’s worst rating since 2015, when we were ranked 136 in
the world corrupt countries indices. The various promises by the same old corrupt politician to eradicate
corruption have now become a memory verse recited during elections. Embedding of the merit system as
a fundamental principle and core value of national institutions will pave way to excellence and less of
meritocracy. The need to enhance the strength and capability of the internal security apparatus, by
providing them with the personnel welfare and independent from all politician influence, cannot be over

5
Kunle Sanni. Nigeria Drops in TI's Fresh Corruption Ranking. (Premium Times, 2021)
https://allafrica.com/stories/202101290208.html
emphasized. This will have an effect in enhancing the efficiency of their day to day operations in seeking
to catch and prosecute all corrupt politicians.

Finally, the need for Nigeria to maintain its position as the Giant of Africa is very paramount. We as a
country have all the natural and human resources to achieve great heights but have been hindered by
wrong economic policies formulated. In the international relations between African states, Nigeria is
regarded as the Super power of Africa, but in recent times our position is being treated with the rising
economical strengths of countries like South Africa, Kenya, Egypt, Ethiopia, etc. The Gross Domestic
Products of these states were all in a positive position in 2019. While Nigeria has consistently being have
a balance deficit in recent years.

1.5 Scope and Delimitations of the study

This project covers a period from 1990 – 2020, this has streamlined our research materials to focus on the
time period. The various economic policies that have been adopted from 1990 to 2020 will be the scope
of this project. The study will be mainly focused on this period. We will analyze all the policies adopted
and how well it has boosted the life of the citizens and the countries at large.

These are some of the various challenges encountered in the course of this research.

There is a relationship between research and human capital development. Research is a tool for enhancing
human capital development. Nigeria is greatly endowed with both human and mineral resources, but has
low human capital development. The greatest investment any nation can make is in the development of
her human capital.

Research as the process of intensive and extensive search for solutions to problems in the society can be
used to find out the extent to which professionals, skilled and semi-skilled workforce are available in the
various sectors of national life. The more research efforts are encouraged, the more the country is better
able to harness her human capital potentials (in education, politics, health, etc). The usefulness of research
for the promotion of human capital development is faced with many challenges. These include:

Inadequate Founding: Research efforts in education and other sectors of the economy hardly attract
adequate government and private funding. There is a general lack of commitment by government at all
levels to the effect that researchers are not given adequate financial support. Researches carried out by
professionals and associations are usually frustrated due to lack of funds. This has made many private
researches works to dependent on the limited amount of funds the research from private means. The
annual government budget on education is not adequate, let alone provision of research grants to
researchers and research institutes. This has negatively affected the development of the human capital in
Nigeria.

Lack of Equipment, Facilities and Materials: In Nigeria, the necessary equipment, facilities and materials
needed for a meaningful research are either lacking or grossly inadequate. This is particularly the case in
sciences where teachers and lecturers complain seriously of lack of science equipments to carry out their
experiments. This has contributed to low human capital development in the sciences which is the bedrock
of any technological advancement of any country. Also current journals, periodicals and textbooks are
difficult to get in the libraries.

Lack of Awareness: There is general ignorance with regard to the importance of research in a developing
country like Nigeria. This lack of awareness has led to research workers not enjoy the desired maximum
co-operation from their respondents during field study and data collection. Observation shows that
indubitable personalities in high positions in public and private sectors, hardly volunteer information to
research workers. This situation no doubt impacts negatively on the research workers and research results
as well as human capital development.

Scope of study: The study is being restricted to the government polices from 1990 to 2020. I am
constrained to look at the various administrative police formulated by the state to its citizens.

Poor Communication Network: The communication network is still far from being well developed. The
research worker has to cover hundreds of kilometers in search of relevant research data. This problem is
compounded by lack of effective and efficient transport systems. Implementation of Research Results:
The findings of research are hardly implemented. The conservation outlook on the part of the executive
and administrative set up in the country account for the inability to implement research results in Nigeria.
Well-researched works are lying dormant at the University library shelves. This is not good for our
country's development.

Scarcity of Records: Nigeria like other developing countries lack adequate statistics due mainly to the
very poor process of documentation. As a result of this many programmes in Nigeria have failed.

1.6 Research questions

In order to understand this project work, the following questions have been asked?

1. What economic policies need to put in place to generate income for the country to take us out of
the bad foreign debt and create a strong balance of trade?
2. Why have government policies not had serious impact on the general public?
3. Why does Government keep making development plans that have not been successful?
4. What needs to be done for the government to have a successful and sustainable development
plan?
5. How has the government put all the recovered looted funds from corrupt politicians to use for the
general public benefit?

1.7 Operational Definitions of Terms

Policies: A particular principle that you believe in and that influences the way you behave. It is also a way
of doing something that has been officially agreed and chosen by a political party, business, or other
organization.
Debt: A sum of money that a person, organization or government owes

Economy: The system by which a country's money and goods are produced and used. The economy is
divided into: Mono economy &Macro economy.

Development: The process of working on a new product, plan, idea etc to make it successful.

Inflation: A continuing increase in prices, or the rate at which prices increase.

Tax: An amount of money that you must pay to the government according to your income, property,
goods etc and that is used to pay for public services.

Investment: It is something that you buy or do because it will be useful later or when you spend a large
amount of time, energy, emotion etc on something. It can also be consider as a huge investment of time
and effort. the use of money to get a profit or to make a business activity successful, or the money that is
used.

Stocks and Bond: Stocks can be considered as the total value of all of a company's. While bond is an
official document promising that a government or company will pay back money that it has borrowed,
often with interest.

Tribalism: Behaviour and attitudes that are based on strong loyalty to your tribe.

Politicization: To make a subject or a situation more political.

Nepotism: The practice of unfairly giving the best jobs to members of your family when you are in a position
of power.

Bribery and corruption: It is the act of giving bribe. “It is also a dishonest, illegal, or immoral behaviour,
especially from someone with power.

Technocrats: It is a skilled scientist who has a lot of power in industry or government.

1.8 Literature Review

This paper analysis the Nigerian government policies and the Nigerian economic development plan. We
will look at the various government policies from 1990 till 2020, with the aim to evaluate the economic
effect on the general populace.

Economic development is a term that economists, politicians, and others have used frequently since the
20th Century. The concept, however, has been in existence in the West for centuries. The term refers to
economic growth accompanied by changes in output distribution and economic structure. It is concerned
with quality improvements, the introduction of new goods and services, risk mitigation and the dynamics
of innovation and entrepreneurship (Michael Kelikume, 2015) 6.

6
Michael Kelikum, Economic development and growth in Nigeria. Daily trust. Dec 12, 2015
https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/economic-development-and-growth-in-nigeria.
Instead of having a 5th development plan to cover the period 1986- 90, Nigeria adopted a policy plan, the
structural adjustment programme (SAP) which was initially designed to last from 1986- 88 but which was
later extended to last till 1990 (Ukah, 2007). 7 In late 1989, the administration of General Ibrahim
Babangida abandoned the concept of a fixed five-year plan. Instead, a three-year "rolling plan" was
introduced from 1990-92 in the context of more comprehensive fifteen- to twenty-year plans. A rolling
plan, considered more suitable for an economy facing uncertainty and rapid change, is revised at the end
of each year, at which point estimates, targets, and projects are added for an additional year. Thus,
planners would revise the 1990-92 three year rolling plan at the end of 1990, issuing a new plan for 1991-
93. In effect, a plan is renewed at the end of each year, but the number of years remains the same as the
plan rolls forward. In Nigeria, the objectives of the rolling plan were to reduce inflation and exchange rate
instability, maintain infrastructure, achieve agricultural self-sufficiency, and reduce the burden of
structural adjustment on the most vulnerable social groups.

The Era of Perspective and Rolling Plans (1990 – 1998) obviously, at the very end of the four plans, there
was no foundation lined for sustainable growth and development in the country. The productive base and
capacity of the economy was yet to be diversified as Nigeria remained a mono-economy and lacked
its own driving force rather was highly prone to external shocks (Okojie, 2002) 8. By 1986, the fourth
development plan hit the rock. There were huge deficits and external debts rose to the tune of $22billion.
This situation necessitated Nigeria's creditors to get involved in her plan so as to be able to get debt
rescheduled. Thus, they introduced the Structural Adjustment Policy which was just a "reform therapy"
from World Bank and the International Monetary

However, over time, things took a turn for the worse starting with the currency, which from a parity of
one dollar to one naira in early 1986, crashed to N9.50k to a dollar in March 1992 and further depreciated
by almost another 100 percent to N18.60k to the dollar later that year. In fact, by early 1993, a dollar
traded for N43.00 in the parallel market and since then, nothing has changed in the economy

Also, with the deregulation of interest rates, a regime of high interest rates was ushered into the country,
grossly affecting the sourcing of loans and in fact means of doing business in general especially with
financial institutions. Overtime, manufacturing and other sectors could not survive; the economy also
began to wobble even as unemployment and poverty rates increase

The enviable growth and development patterns of several Asian countries are well known. East Asia is
the only region in the world that has been able to maintain strong, consistent growth patterns over several
decades, led first by Japan and the newly industrializing economies of Hong Kong, South Korea,
Singapore and Taiwan, etc9 (Mimiko, 1998; Adelman, 1995).

Apart from the homogenous nature of these societies, other several factors were responsible for their
development. These were: development of agricultural sector, a system of mass education, development
of indigenous industries, export-oriented strategy, the Spartan discipline of their leadership, existence of

7
UKAH O.C. An Appraisal of the Performance of the Nigeria’s National Rolling Plans in the 90’s
African Research Review vol.1(1), 14-23 (2007)
8
Okojie, C. E. Development Planning in Nigeria Since Independence. In: M. A. Iyoha, C. O. Itsede (Eds.):
Nigerian Economy: Structure, Growth and Development, Benin City: Mindex Publishing. . (2002).
9
Adelman. Social Development in Korea, 1953-1993. Paper for the International conference on the Korea Economy
1945-1995. Korea Development Institute, Seoul, December, pp 9-10. I (1995).
efficient bureaucracy,10 human resources development, encouragement of a dynamic private sector
working in co-operation with the government towards a society-wide vision of development, institutional
capacity building and attention to the problems of governance, consistency and policy stability, etc
(Mimiko, 1998)11, Strategies for national development. The beauty of any development plan is the faithful
implementation of such plan, which its success lies with the implementers. In our previous discussion, it
was mentioned that most of the past development plans failed as a result of implementation problem and
lack of committed leadership etc. Based on this fact, new development policies and strategies are
currently in place as alternative strategies for development, such as Seven Points Agenda, Vision 2020,
etc. These policies and vision appear to be all embracing but they are not sacrosanct in their totality. But
if faithfully implemented, the nation at least will move towards path of development.

It is in my opinion that to successfully implement the Seven Point Agenda, there some lessons we can
learn from Asian models of development.

First, development requires total commitment on the parts of the leadership. The need for discipline and
honesty on the part of the project implementers cannot be compromised; such officials should show
enough discipline, interest, willingness, dedication and honesty.

Without these attributes and the will to pursue set economic goals, all other ingredients of development
present would amount to nullity.

Second, this country should learn that wholesale liberalization; the type advocated by the apologists of
orthodox SAP is not necessarily synonymous with development. It goes without saying therefore that a
level of state involvement (heterodoxy) is imperative even in the face of the crucial need for structural
adjustment. But whatever the degree of state involvement, private ownership of properties must be
guaranteed for investment to get stimulated (Mimiko, 1997). Although, it is another question whether
Nigerian state as presently constituted can play this critical role given its embarrassing level of
corruption, inefficiency and incapacitation by commitment to sundry primordial values. Be it as it may,
the goal should be to evolve a process of reformation of the state to make it able to play the type of highly
constructive role that its counterparts are playing in the whole of East Asia (Mimiko, 1997).

Also, stability and continuity of policies encourage investment and propel development. For instance, in

Korea, when park was assassinated, his policies remained and were building on. Nigeria leadership must
learn to build on policies rather than to jettison them for new ones for the sake of party politics and
personal aggrandizement.

There is the need for Nigeria to revamp the agricultural sector; this sector was instrumental in the
development of Japan. Agriculture used to be the mainstay of Nigeria economy but the discovery of crude
oil succeeded in putting agriculture into state of oblivion.

10
Lawal and Oluwatoyin 241 Omotoso F (2008). The South-West Position on the Review of the 1999 Constitution.
Paper presented at the South-West Legislative Conference on Constitutional Review, 23rd – 24th June. Akure, pp.
239.
11
Mimiko O (1998). The State and the growth/Development Agenda: Africa and East/Asia in Context in Kolawole D.
(ed) Issues in Nigerian Government and Politics. Ibadan, Dekaal Publishers. 18: 163-166.
Human resources development is also a sine qua non to Nigeria national development; this was
demonstrated in Japan and Korea (Lawal et al., 1976). Development depends very much on human
knowledge and skills. This must be such that a high quality of education and training is achieved for a
large majority at a reasonable price and the context and quality of such education and training should be
relevant and adequate to the country’s development needs. Literature on development stresses the axiom
that it is the people who develop and that unless there are large numbers of suitably qualified people,
development cannot take place.

There is need for attitudinal change. Nigerians must as a matter of fact change their pessimistic attitude
towards development. The idea or belief that “things cannot work in Nigeria or Nigerian factor” should be
discouraged. Real development is achieved through internal activities rather than from external
influences. Development is seen as a process generated within a society by forces propagated and
invigorated by the actual members of that society. It is believed that true development can neither be
started nor sustained by outsiders. Although, no country can develop in isolation, but heavy emphasis
should not be placed on foreign resources for the country’s development. The models of development of
Japan and China show how these countries utilize their internal resources both human and material for
rapid economic development. It is reasonable that Nigerians should inculcate a high sense of patriotism as
demonstrated by the Japanese and Chinese. Importantly, citizenship should be promoted over indignity in
order to achieve cooperation and participation of all communities in the development process. Omotoso
(2008) noted that the 1999 constitution is directly or indirectly promoting indigeneity in the country.

For example, section 318(1) of paragraph (IV) supports indignity. The constitution sets parameters for
indigenes and non-indigenes. It equally gives legal bases to various discriminatory policies that actively
promote indignity, contrary to some sections that argue against discrimination. This is very contradictory.
Leadership in Nigeria must behave in a way to inculcate the spirit of patriotism in the minds of the
people, so that they will be ready to stand with the government in her development efforts. When
Nigerians see themselves as one and not as belonging to one section of the country as portrayed presently,
the urge to develop Nigeria will be germinated and sustained.

Additionally, the need to reform electoral process is imperative for socio-economic and political
development. Electoral fraud is one of the banes of Nigeria’s development. The role of leadership in
development cannot be overemphasized, all efforts towards development must be coordinated and
directed by the leaders, therefore, the leaders must be development conscious, have genuine interest for
development and the political will to propel such development. The leaders must also have the
cooperation of the people, because, it is the people that develop a nation. Honestly, the aforementioned
ingredients cannot be possible without a legitimized mandate for the leaders by the people. When a leader
assumes office illegimately or through electoral fraud, such leader is bound to fail in his effort to generate
meaningful development. This is due to the fact that such illegitimate leaders tend to display characters
that repress development such as; selfishness, corruption, pride, thuggery and inefficiency and also, there
is apathy and natural detachment to development plans by the people as they did not see such emerging
leaders as the products of their consent through voting.

Based on the foregoing, the electoral process should be reformed in such a way that nobody assumes
power (political) through crook or fraudulent means. The process should be made opened, free, fair and
competitive. All legal battles preceding the elections must be concluded before any swearing in. This, it is
believed, will create genuine environment conducive for development. Lastly, development plan should
not be exclusively regarded as economic issue it should be seen as holistic and encompassing national
issue that cuts across economic, social, political and psychological aspects of human endeavour.

1.9 Methodology
The methodology adopted for this project was the quantitative method. I was necessary to adopt the
method as the best form of research to gather information’s for this write up. This write up is based on
gathering facts from happens from the past and gaining scholarly views on the proposed achievements
that Nigeria can achieve in the years to come. It was needed to research on others people’s postulations
and writes up to form this project. I obtained information’s used for this project from books from the
library, journals, articles and online materials.

During the course of data collection, facts on both past and present data were taken into cognizance. The
main sources of data used are secondary sources. Secondary data consists of data from books, journals,
magazines, newspaper and publications on public policies in Nigeria and other related published
materials.

1.10 Chapter Synopsis

For proper arrangement and understanding of this research work, the study will be divided into five
chapters.

Chapter one will serves as the introductory part of this study.

Chapter two will deal with the historical background to Nigeria’s public and foreign policies from 1960 to
1989.

Chapter three will be base on various Nigerian public and foreign policies that were 1adapted from 1990
to 2020 and how well it affected the economy.

Chapter four contains benchmarking various former third world nations and policies they adopted to
transform their economies to make them one top economies in the world today (i.e China, Indonesia,
Brazil, Malaysia, Singapore, India, etc).

Chapter five will be base summary, conclusion and recommendations.

1.11 CONCLUSION
This paper has carefully discussed the national development in Nigeria. It looks in depth at the various
public and foreign policies, and how effective it has been. It also examines the problems of national
development in Nigeria, and carefully outlined the driving forces of development in some of the Asia
countries as models for Nigeria’s development. The paper also suggested some viable strategies needed to
engender sustainable development in Nigeria. It is the belief of this chapter that if these options and
models are faithfully and judiciously pursued and imbibed, Nigeria will be well positioned in the global
economy.

1.12 Reference:
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est_Alternatives