The process of development plays a crucial and indispensable role in ensuring the survival and advancement of a nation. A nation is deemed to be developed when it can offer a high standard of living to its population. Over the past five decades, Nigeria has grappled with the challenges of development, despite its abundant human, material, and natural resources. The primary objective of any government is to achieve a higher level of development that fosters a sense of natural attachment to governance among its citizens. Nevertheless, for a nation to enter a phase of development, certain prerequisites must be met, such as the presence of socio-political and economic stability. The disparity between developed and developing nations is characterised by a persistent and expanding gap. A significant proportion of the global population residing in developing nations experiences a condition characterised by poverty. Less developed countries, including Nigeria, are confronted with persistent challenges such as urban population growth, rural stagnation, unemployment, and increasing inequalities. The realisation of accelerated development aspirations poses significant challenges. The current sombre situation is causing significant apprehension among stakeholders and the public. Despite Nigeria’s abundant resources, the country has struggled to achieve substantial development. This has had a significant impact on her endeavour to enhance the quality of life for her constituents.
The country continues to be plagued by poverty, unemployment, and starvation, which are prevalent in various regions. The process of development is of utmost importance and plays a crucial role in the expansion and long-term viability of any nation. The concept of development is subject to a phenomenon known as definitional pluralism. Defining this term poses a considerable challenge. Nevertheless, diligent academics have endeavoured to conceptualise the notion of development. According to Gboyega (2003), development encompasses various endeavours aimed at enhancing the overall well-being of human beings in all aspects. This statement suggests that the objective is to enhance the overall material prosperity of all individuals, rather than solely benefiting the affluent and influential members of society. Moreover, this progress should be achieved in a manner that is sustainable, ensuring that present patterns of consumption do not jeopardise future generations. Additionally, this objective entails the eradication or significant reduction of poverty and disparities in access to desirable resources and opportunities. Development can be understood as a dynamic process that leads to societal progress, characterised by the enhancement of the overall welfare of individuals. This progress is achieved through the establishment of robust collaborations among various sectors, including corporate entities and other societal groups. National development refers to the comprehensive development and holistic progress of a country or nation, encompassing various dimensions such as socio-economic, political, and religious advancements. The optimal approach to accomplish this objective is through the implementation of development planning, which can be defined as the compilation of strategies formulated by the government of a nation.
Nigeria has implemented a succession of development plans. Nigeria is persistently plagued by the spectre of development. The pervasive belief in the concept of growth and development is deeply ingrained, to the extent that the nation’s historical narrative is often equated with the history of strategies for development and models of growth, spanning from the colonial era to the present day. The concept of development has experienced a perpetual state of change. Aremu (2003) asserts that this country stands out as the sole nation where a wide range of development concepts and frameworks have been extensively tested and implemented. The formulation of the initial National Development Plan policy took place between 1962 and 1968, approximately two years following the attainment of independence. This policy aimed to enhance development prospects in various sectors, including health, education, and employment. Additionally, it sought to improve the accessibility of these opportunities to the population. The failure of this plan can be attributed to the fact that 50% of the required resources for its financing were intended to be sourced externally, yet only 14% of the anticipated external funding was obtained (Ogwumike, 1995). Despite a series of development strategies implemented by successive governments, often with good intentions, all efforts to achieve substantial development have been unsuccessful. Numerous factors have converged to impede the progress of the nation. In many instances, there is a lack of executive authority tasked with the development and execution of the plan. Typically, the individuals occupying such positions are officials who lack substantial executive authority. Several past development plans were unsuccessful due to a lack of public consultation. Inclusive participation of rural communities is considered essential in the process of planning. Furthermore, the Local Government officials, who possess proximity to the general population, were not included in the consultation process. According to Mimiko (1998), planning is not solely conducted by technocrats, and should not be perceived as a rigid structure.
The absence of effective governance also hinders the progress of a nation’s development. In the absence of effective governance, the attainment of development becomes an elusive prospect. The presence of inadequate leadership within the nation is the underlying cause. A significant proportion of our leaders exhibit a lack of dedication towards fostering progress and growth. A significant impediment to development is the prevalence of corruption and indiscipline at a high level. The Nigerian state is characterised by pervasive corruption, as it is governed by leaders who prioritise personal gain through capital accumulation, rather than utilising state resources to advance the welfare of the population. According to Mimiko (1998), it is unlikely for a plan to be effectively executed when overseen by a highly corrupt state, regardless of its initial quality. Corruption and development are inherently incompatible, as their coexistence is mutually exclusive, resulting in adverse consequences for either. The mono-economic base of the country is another significant factor. The nation heavily relies on crude oil as a primary source of sustenance, often at the expense of other available resources. The remaining sectors of the economy are disregarded. For example, the agricultural sector, which served as the primary pillar of the Nigerian economy during the 1950s and 1960s, has experienced a state of uncertainty and stagnation in subsequent years. In the scenario where a country possesses limited exportable goods, how can the government effectively stimulate export promotion? The lack of economic diversification poses challenges to achieving sustainable development (Mimiko, 1998).
Towards National Development
To begin with, the process of development necessitates unwavering dedication from the leadership. The imperative for discipline and honesty among project implementers is non-negotiable; these individuals must demonstrate sufficient levels of discipline, interest, willingness, dedication, and honesty. In the absence of these characteristics and the determination to strive for established economic objectives, all other components of development would be rendered ineffective. Furthermore, it is imperative for this nation to recognise that embracing complete liberalisation, as advocated by proponents of orthodox Structural Adjustment Programmes (SAP), does not necessarily equate to achieving development. It is evident, therefore, that a certain degree of state intervention (heterodoxy) is essential, even considering the pressing requirement for structural reform. Regardless of the extent of state intervention, it is imperative to ensure the protection of private property ownership to foster investment (Mimiko, 1997).
Furthermore, the maintenance of stable and consistent policies serves as a catalyst for investment and facilitates the advancement of development. In the case of Korea, following the assassination of Park, his policies continued to be upheld and further developed. The leadership in Nigeria should prioritise policy continuity over discarding existing policies for the sake of partisan politics and personal gain. It is imperative for Nigeria to undertake a comprehensive revitalization of its agricultural sector, as this industry played a pivotal role in the developmental trajectory of Japan. The agricultural sector was once the primary driver of Nigeria’s economy; however, the emergence of crude oil as a major resource has resulted in a decline in the prominence of agriculture. There is a requirement for a shift in attitudes. It is imperative for Nigerians to alter their negative mindset towards the process of development. The notion or conviction that “things are incapable of functioning effectively in Nigeria due to the Nigerian factor” should be actively discouraged. The attainment of genuine development is predicated upon internal processes rather than being contingent upon external influences. Development is perceived as a societal process that emerges from the actions and influences of individuals who are part of that society. It is of utmost importance to prioritise the promotion of citizenship over indigeneity to foster cooperation and encourage the active involvement of all communities in the process of development.
References
Gboyega, A. (2003). Democracy and Development: The Imperative of Local Governance. An Inaugural Lecture, University of Ibadan, pp 6- 7.
Lawal, T., & Oluwatoyin, A. (2011). National development in Nigeria: Issues, Challenges, and prospects. Journal of Public Administration and Policy Research, 3(9), 237-241.
Mimiko O (1997). The Global Village. Selected Topics on International Economic Relations. Akure, Olaniyan Publishing Company.
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.
Ogwumike, F. (1995). The Effects of Macrolevel Government Policies on Rural Development and Poverty Alleviation in Nigeria. Ibadan Journal of Social Sciences, 1(1), 85-101.
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. 5- 10.
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