CONCISE ANALYSIS OF DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA

What is Development? At the level of the individual, development implies increased skill and capacity, greater freedom, creativity, self-discipline, responsibility and material well-being (Some of these are virtually moral categories and are difficult to evaluate – depending as they do on the age in which one lives, one’s class origins, and one’s personal code of what is right and what is wrong. However, what is indisputable is that the achievement of any of those aspects of personal development is very much tied in with the state of the society as a whole). At the level of social group, therefore, development implies an increasing capacity to regulate both internal and external relationships.
Development most often is used in an exclusive economic sense – the justification being that the type of economy is in itself an index of other social features. In talking development generally, the focus is usually on people regardless of language, culture, tradition, gender or status and to what extent they relate with all other social and environmental factors. Also the priority does not fall on separating a people from another. Although we cannot deny that there are three classes of people, namely; the lower, middle and upper class. This said the above topic is concerned with relating the living condition of people to development with Nigeria as the focus. As a result of this, there is need to examine the social, economic and political factors and what the government, as the head, has done to encourage the growth of this number of factors. For emphasis, we have the behavior of and the relationship between people (social), the welfare of the people and what infrastructures they enjoy (economic), electoral participation and representative leadership (political). Moreover, we must understand that the behavior of and relationship between people is often influenced by the welfare of the people and what infrastructures; transport, power, education, health, etc, people benefit from. This pretty much sum the living condition, while the welfare of the people is dependent on the leadership in place. In other words, without a good leadership, the economic and social factors have no strength. Development, the world-over, is dependent on people and vis-à-vis. To put it figuratively, when one greases the other’s palm, the other returns the favor. Having established this angle, we must note that the number of people who are engaged in economic activities are people who can be directly associated with development. This is re-echoing expert conclusions. We also have to further make a distinction by grouping the large pool of people into two categories; those living in urban settlements and those who are found in rural settlements. From here we can assess the people who have access to information and are engaged in economic activities or not. Studies have shown that the urban setting has an edge over the rural one and thus, offers more opportunities and claim for information and economic activities. Sadly, however, the urban population is far less than the rural population which is approximated at about 65 – 70 per cent of the rural population. The implication of this is that the strength of development will remain slow until those in the rural communities also have access to information and economic activities and also enjoy unbiased and basic amenities.
Human Development Index, a UNDP data and research based organization ranks Nigeria low in growth mostly because the majority of Nigerians do not experience the impact of development directly. Perhaps this is because the capitalist economy of Nigeria has further pushed the boundaries separating the ‘haves’ and ‘have-nots’ far apart. Those who control the means of production and resources are but fewer in number and getting richer at the expense of the majority. Experts have argued that the purpose of development is to improve people’s lives, but if the effects of development are not felt among the majority then there is all indication that Nigeria will remain a developing nation for a very, very long time as a result of this reason.
The major reason responsible for lack of development in Nigeria is corruption. No matter how we look at it, the issue of corruption cannot be treated in isolation. It is the basis for deciding what goes on in the country because its influence has become a tangible part of the Nigerian scenario and quite popular. Corruption is now linked to the everyday life of Nigerians so much so that people now joke that even the child who is still in its mother’s womb cannot be trusted. The general insinuation is that every Nigerian, young or old, literate or not is corrupt. Maybe this has been blown out of proportion, but we cannot deny that the issue of corruption in Nigeria is deeply rooted and development can only be achieved if corruption is sincerely dealt with at all levels of the society. This is possible only if the entire Nigerian population is united against corruption. There are no two ways about it.
There is only one sure way to solve Nigeria’s development challenge, and that is by changing our attitude towards development, forget the indifferent attitude if you may. This means a brand new system of action (practical examples). This means working to better the nation and not entirely the pockets, for the majority not for the minority. To borrow from the words of Professor Dora Akunyili- “rebrand the nation.” In essence we mean a total reorientation and renegotiation of this country called Nigeria.
The best policies, reforms or schemes will make no meaning if the people – from the top to the bottom, fail to embrace and implement them as they are designed to be.