The Unending Development Question of Nigeria

Abstract

Nigeria is not just a country in Africa but a major and critical one. This is given its massive population size (human) and other important resources. Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa and it is among the most natural resources endowed nations on the continent. Nigeria is strategic to leadership provision in Africa as this has been proven over the years by its frontline roles in ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States), AU (African Union), NEPAD (New Economic Partnership for African Development) and African Commonwealth for instance. This is why the negative multiplier effects of Nigeria’s continued underdevelopment have been widely acknowledged and remain great concern since the consequences of the underdevelopment not only impact the country and Africa but also the world at large. Old and recent developments in Nigeria make another interrogation compelling. Given the lingering disjuncture between democratic expectations and development results in Nigeria, as a good African underdevelopment case study, there is a need for continued examination and engagement of the development question that has remained unanswered. It is against this background that this article contributes to the burgeoning body of literature on the persistent underdevelopment of Africa, through Nigeria’s case study, with a view to further understanding the trajectories. This is particularly important as existing narratives, tales, explanations and practices appear to insufficiently account for the development realities of Nigeria, as it remains deeply rooted in underdevelopment. Methodologically, based on primary insights and secondary data through systematic review of literature and databases, the article addresses pertinent issues about Nigeria's development and articulate lucid descriptions of the development challenges faced by Nigeria. The article reviewed Nigeria's past experiences of failed development policy and examined the factors responsible for development failures with conclusions and recommendations on how Nigeria can overcome the obstacles to development as best practice for developing countries.