Challenges of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in Nigeria: Lessons for the Implementation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Abstract

This study examines the challenges of implementing the MDGs in Nigeria. Nevertheless, the secondary method of data collection and evaluative method was employed in this research work especially data from the office of the Senior Special Assistant to the president on MDGs (OSSAP), the National Bureau of statistics (NBS), National poverty Eradication programme (NAPEP), text books, internet etc. while content analysis was used to analyse the data collected. This study revealed that poor infrastructural development, poverty, bad governance, corruption, inadequacy and misapplication of Fund, leading to lack of value for money and many more have impeded the implementation of MDGSs in Nigeria. Although, Nigeria has made appreciable progress on Goals 2 and 8, as well as some partial progress on Goals 3 and 6, but faces serious challenges on Goals 4, 5 and 7 and some indictors of Goals 6. Therefore, there is the need to consolidate on areas where progress has been made in the SDGs project while concrete effort is required to get the country back on track in the areas where it faces serious challenges during the implementation of the MDGs. This underscores the need to address implementation bottlenecks and defects in current SDGs implementation policies. Finally, government should provide opportunities for greater involvement of the private sector, civil society organizations and development partners in the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of SDGs – related projects.