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Professor Fabian Ajogwu, SAN has prepared this lecture on “Nigeria Vision 2020 and a Challenging Economic Situation: Is Good Governance a Panacea?” for delivery at the 2016 Annual Conference
of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria at the Nigerian Institute of
International Affairs, Lagos, April 27, 2016.
PROFESSOR FABIAN AJOGWU, SAN
Nigeria Vision 2020 and a Challenging Economic
Situation: Is Good Governance a Panacea?
It is a privilege to be invited by the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of
Nigeria (ICSAN) to speak at its 2016 Annual Conference. I must start by thanking the
leadership of ICSAN for the privilege of being able to share with the audience, my thoughts
on a subject, whose importance to our country particularly at this point, has been brought to
the front burner as it rightfully should. It is the subject of the importance of Nigeria’s
journey in the face of challenging economic circumstances, and the role of good governance
as a solution of some sorts. This is something that benefits us all as citizens and stakeholders
in the well-being of Nigeria. Good governance enhances the common good rather than
diminishes it.
My point of reflection and invitation of this audience to it, is as I have said elsewhere, –
Attachment and allegiance to family, ethnic and cultural groups are universal
phenomenon of civil societies, but in Nigeria these appear to have so undermined
national consciousness and solidarity that it had in the past been difficult to replace
the negative aspects of these feelings with a positive feeling of common identity, a
shared community sentiment and a common sense of patriotism and nationalism.
What Nigerians need, is rising above these parochial bases of allegiance to integrate
on the basis of common interests for the good of the society, and which unites them
against anything else that threatens that common good.1
1 FI Ajogwu, ‘Federalism and National Unity – Optimising the Richness of Diversity’ a lecture delivered at the
University of Ibadan Faculty of Law 2014 Annual Public Lecture at Law Auditorium, on June 13, 2014
Nigeria Vision 2020 and a Challenging Economic Situation: Is Good Governance a Panacea?
2
1. INTRODUCTION
Every nation of the world has hopes and aspirations to be great. Indeed, the challenges of
economic and social progress have for a long time remained at the top in the hierarchy of
needs of many nations in both the developed and developing countries of the world.2
Different nations therefore adopt different strategies in achieving economic and social
progress. At independence, many African countries including Nigeria were committed to
achieving economic and social progress, and development planning was the main strategy
used by many governments to set their visions, missions, goals, and effective means of
realizing economic and social progress3. Development planning has been a consistent
phenomenon in Nigerian administration since 1946, albeit with varying in degrees of
seriousness, realism and implementation.
Nigeria as the most populous black nation has set a vision to be reckoned among the top 20
(twenty) economies in the world by 2020 with a minimum Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
of $900 billion, and a per capita income of no less than $4000 per annum.4 However, in the
face of the present economic challenge faced by the country, the idea of Vision 2020 target
now seems like a mirage. The Nigerian Government has consistently worked towards
achieving economic development (albeit with varying degrees of determination) through the
use of various types of plans, namely short term (Annual Budget), medium and long-term
plans. The Nigerian Vision 2020 is the latest in the history of medium term plans for the
country and promises to surmount some of the problems that marred the success of previous
plans5.
The Nigerian Vision 2020 is an outcome of a research by the American Investment Bank
which predicted that Nigeria will be in the league of 20 top economies based on the
assessment of her abundant natural and human resources, with the assumption that these
resources will be effectively managed. Vision 2020 is an articulation of the long-term intent
2 Mobolaji Olaseni and Wale Alade “Vision 20:2020 and the Challenges of Infrastructural Development in Nigeria
Journal of Sustainable Development Vol. 5, No. 2; February 2012 Pg. 63. 3 Ibid. 4 Ibid. 5 Marcellus, I. O. (2009). "Development Planning in Nigeria: Reflections on the National Economic
Empowerment and Development Strategy (NEEDS) 2003-2007". Journal of Social Science, 3 (20), 197-210.
Nigeria Vision 2020 and a Challenging Economic Situation: Is Good Governance a Panacea?
3
to launch Nigeria onto a path of sustained social and economic progress and to accelerate the
emergence of a truly prosperous and united Nigeria.6 Recognising the enormous human and
natural endowments of the nation, the blueprint of the vision is an expression of Nigeria's
intent and aspirations that are defined across the following four dimensions:
i. Social Dimension: A peaceful, equitable, harmonious and just society, where every
citizen has a strong sense of national identity and citizens are supported by an
educational and healthcare system that caters for all, and sustains a life expectancy of
not less than 70 years;
ii. Economic Dimension: A globally competitive economy that is resilient and
diversified with a globally competitive manufacturing sector that is tightly integrated
and contributes no less than 25% to the Gross Domestic Product;
iii. Institutional Dimension: A stable and functional democracy where the rights of the
citizens to determine their leaders are guaranteed and adequate infrastructure exists to
support a market-friendly and globally competitive business environment; and
iv. Environmental Dimension: A level of environmental consciousness that enables and
supports sustainable management of the nation’s God-given natural resources to
ensure their preservation for the benefit of present and future generations.7
The second dimension (economic development) of the vision is essential to the theme of this
paper. This is because economic growth is very important in achieving the Vision 2020.
This paper therefore, seeks to address the issue of Nigeria’s Vision 2020, the practicability
of attaining it in this present economic situation and the utilisation of good governance in
realisation of it. This paper will show that years into the vision, the country’s economy is
growing at a pace lower than envisaged. It also shows that the quantity and quality of
infrastructure needed to propel a rapid economic development are absent. The paper
6 Mobolaji Olaseni and Wale Alade, Vision 20:2020 and the Challenges of Infrastructural Development in Nigeria,
Journal of Sustainable Development Vol. 5, No. 2; February 2012 Pg 64. 7 Ibid.
Nigeria Vision 2020 and a Challenging Economic Situation: Is Good Governance a Panacea?
4
recommends adequate funding of infrastructure in critical sectors, good economic policies,
security, transparency and good governance, among others for the realisation of the vision.
The paper concludes on how Vision 2020 can be accomplished in our current economic
situation.
2. THE CURRENT ECONOMIC SITUATION VIS-À-VIS VISION 2020
Nigeria is the biggest economy in the West African sub region. Given the country’s
considerable resource endowment and coastal location there is potential for strong growth.
The country presently ranks amongst the 11 countries identified by Goldman Sachs to have
the potential for attaining global competitiveness based on their economic and demographic
settings and the foundation for reforms already laid. However, Nigeria has realized very
little of these potentials. The history of economic stagnation, declining welfare and social
instability, has undermined development for most of the past 30 years.
Corruption, the brutal quest for power, political instability, abject poverty, increased rate of
unemployment, heightened crime rate, poor health-care facilities, lack of stable power
supply, and recently, insurgency/terrorism and persistent fuel scarcity/crisis have been the
predominant challenges the nation has over time been saddled with. The Federal Office of
statistics, in the year 2012, reported that more than 100 million Nigerians lived in abject
poverty earning less than £1 per day, with over 20 million unemployed youth and security
threat to the country.8 The Northern Nigeria has the highest incidence of poverty, with
current population of 168 million; the children of the poor are likely to become poorer due
to the widening gap in access to basic amenities of life.
On the issue of education, statistics have shown that 9 million children are out of school and
majority of them are from the north9. This has led to an increased rate of poverty,
unemployment and particularly insecurity in recent times. Statistics reveal that households
headed by parents without any education had 68.7% poverty; households headed by those
8 IOSR Journal of Business and Management (IOSRJBM) ISSN: 2278-487X Volume 2, Issue 3 (July-Aug. 2012),
PP 36www.iosrjournals.org www.iosrjournals.org Danjuma Abdullahi Ph.D “Good Governance as Panacea to the
Socio-Economic Crises in Nigeria”; National bureau of statistics Poverty in Nigeria (2012)
www.officeofstatistics.ng.com. 9 Ibid.
Nigeria Vision 2020 and a Challenging Economic Situation: Is Good Governance a Panacea?
5
without primary education recorded 48.7%, those with secondary education recorded 44.3%
and those with post-secondary education, 26%. All these have negative implications on the
economy.10
Specifically, some of the resultant effects of the lack of good governance and the challenges
which the Government is saddled with include:
a. Unfavourable economic policies;
b. Increasing Corruption;
c. Appointment into public service based on ascription rather than merit;
d. Poor Institutional Performance;
e. Unemployment;
f. Poverty and Inequality
Below is a statistics of Unemployment in Nigeria as at the 3rd quarter of 2015.11
10 Ibid. 11 National bureau of statistics general household survey, 2011 http://www.nigerianstatgovng/uploads/latest <last
accessed April 15, 2016>
Nigeria Vision 2020 and a Challenging Economic Situation: Is Good Governance a Panacea?
6
A series of national development12 plans were inaugurated by past governments, to define a
suitable framework for socio-economic development. The First National Development Plan
in Nigeria was between 1962 and 1968 while the second, was between 1970 and 1974.
These plans were aimed at enhancing production, economic growth and at accelerating the
post-civil war reconstruction respectively. The Third National Development Plan to jump-
start industrialization through import substitution was between 1975 and 1980.13
A Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) was equally introduced by the regime of
General Ibrahim Babangida. Project SAP essentially laid emphasis on efficient resource
allocation and market-determined prices. All these were to be achieved through trade
liberalization deregulation of interest rates, public sector reforms and privatization.
Similarly, Vision 2010 was introduced by General Sani Abacha, in a bid to herald socio-
economic prosperity for the nation. Vision 2010 was to be achieved by studying the
lingering socio-economic and political problems of the country and proffering solutions to
them. Subsequently, the Olusegun Obasanjo administration introduced and implemented
National Economic Empowerment and Development Strategies (NEEDS) in 2003, to set the
economy on the path of growth.14
2.1. The Current Economic Situation:
Nigeria remains the largest country in Africa and accounts for 47% of West Africa’s
population. It is also the biggest oil exporter in Africa, with the largest natural gas reserves
in the continent. Real gross domestic product (GDP) is estimated to have grown by 6.1%
owing to continued strong performance mainly in services, but also industry (apart from oil
mining) and agriculture.15 The GDP numbers indicate that telecommunications, real estate,
manufacturing, construction, entertainment increased their shares of GDP.16
12 National development is defined by World Commission on Resources and development as “development that
meets the needs of the present without compromising future
generations’’http://povertyeraducationnig.blogspot.com.ng/p/vision-2020-panacea-for-nigerias.html last accessed
15 April 2016. 13 ibid 14 ibid 15 World Bank Report on Nigeria accessed at <http://www.worldbank.org/en/country/nigeria/overview April 11,
2016> last accessed 12 April 2016.
Nigeria Vision 2020 and a Challenging Economic Situation: Is Good Governance a Panacea?
7
The oil sector has been on a decline, albeit at a slower rate than in the previous year. Oil and
gas GDP was estimated to have declined by 1.3%, relative to a decline of 13.1% in 201317.
The sharp decline in oil prices since the third quarter of 2014 has posed major challenges to
the country’s external reserves and public finances. Oil accounts for close to 90% of exports
and roughly 75% of the country’s consolidated budgetary revenues.
The rise and fall of Nigeria’s GDP can be seen in the diagram below:
The Nigerian economy advanced 2.11 percent year-on-year in the fourth quarter of 2015,
slowing from a 2.84 percent expansion in the previous period and below market
expectations of a 2.6 percent increase.18 It is the lowest growth rate since 2005 as lower oil
prices keep impacting the oil sector, dragging government revenues down and weakening
the naira. Oil production stood at 2.16 million barrels a day in the last three months of 2015,
lower than 2.19 million barrels a day in the previous year.19 As a result of lower production
and falling prices, the oil sector shrank 8.28 percent year-on-year.20 Industrial production
slumped 3.04 percent, following a 0.13 percent drop in the previous period and falling for
the fourth straight quarter. However, agriculture rose 3.48 percent, slightly up from a 3.46
16 Ibid. 17 Ibid. 18 Trading Economics accessed http://www.tradingeconomics.com/nigeria/gdp-growth-annual April 12, 2016. 19 Ibid. 20 Ibid.
Nigeria Vision 2020 and a Challenging Economic Situation: Is Good Governance a Panacea?
8
percent gain in the previous period and services grew at a slower 3.69 percent (3.97 percent
in the previous period).21
In 2015, the economy expanded 2.79 percent, much lower than a 6.22 percent increase in
2014. Services drove the expansion (up 4.78 percent), followed by agriculture (up 3.72
percent) while industrial output fell 2.24 percent. The oil sector shrank 5.45 percent,
following a 1.32 percent drop in 2014.22
3. THE CONCEPT OF VISION 2020
In a bid to right the wrongs of the Nigerian government, the President Umar Musa Yar’adua
led administration designed a transformation agenda with hopes of turning things around
and making Nigeria better by 2020 (Vision 2020).23 The late president mapped out a 7
(Seven) point agenda that was in line with advancing Vision 2020. The objective of Vision
2020 is captured in its vision statement –
One “By 2020 Nigeria will be one of the 20 largest economies in the world,
able to consolidate its leadership role in Africa and establish itself as a
significant player in the global economic and political arena.”24
To achieve this objective, Nigeria would have to compete with nations like the United
States, Japan, Germany, China, and the United Kingdom, which have traditionally
maintained the Top Five ranking of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). In 2007, IMF
ranked Brazil 10, India 12, South Korea 13, and Indonesia 20 respectively. Nigeria, ranked
41 as at 2007, is expected to vigorously compete with these Nations in the global
economy.25 By 2011, Nigeria ranked as number 36. In the year 2015, Nigeria ranked as the
22nd World largest Economy.26 This definitely shows signs of progress, but with a closer
21 Ibid. 22 Ibid. 23 <http://www.nv2020.org/> last accessed 15 April 2016. 24 Ibid. 25 <http://www.nigeriansinamerica.com/a-new-vision-2020-for-nigeria-at-49-challenges-and-possibilities/> last
accessed 10 April 2016. 26<https://www.google.com.ng/url?
Sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiRk52j_YvMAhULORoKHcAbD
UkQFggbMAA&URL=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.naij.com%2F649526-nigeria-now-world-s-22nd-largest-economy-
imf.html&usg=AFQjCNFW5c0KdU0UquGC7QkXr54RYuuFEQ> last accessed 10 April 2016.
Nigeria Vision 2020 and a Challenging Economic Situation: Is Good Governance a Panacea?
9
look at how far gone Nigeria’s competitors are, we realize there is still so much to be
accomplished.
Some of the elements of the transformation agenda include; job creation, education, health,
labour and productivity, foreign and economic diplomacy, public expenditure management,
information and communication technology, infrastructure policies, justice and judiciary,
power, transportation, Niger delta, and governance. The UN has outlined Millennium
Development Goals (MDG) that every Nation should adopt and these goals are aimed at
eradicating extreme poverty and hunger, achieve universal primary education, and promote
gender equality and women empowerment amongst others.
The Vision 2020 which is essentially the actualization of a 7-point Agenda focusing on
power and energy, food security, wealth creation, transportation, security, land reform and
education is closely related to the UN MDGs.27 Even as Nigeria is still struggling to achieve
the MDG’s, world leaders came together at the United Nations Sustainable Development
Summit on September 25, 2015 to adopt the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
which includes 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, fight inequality
and injustice, and tackle climate change by 2030.28 The SDGs are improvements on the
MDGs and aimed at finishing the work of the MDGs to ensure that no one is left out.
It is rather unfortunate that Nigeria has continued to struggle with achieving these goals.
Some of these challenges are internally rooted with specific reference to the issue of
governance, the Nigeria politics, the deplorable condition of the economy and a failing
educational system. All these pose threats to Vision 2020. These challenges are deeply
rooted in the historical, political and economic foundation of the nation29. Specifically, some
of the challenges the Nation is facing in the actualization of the Vision 2020 goals are
insecurity, corruption, lack of infrastructure, poverty to mention a few. These constraints
have discouraged potential investors and hampered competitiveness of the Nigerian private
sector.
27 <http://povertyeraducationnig.blogspot.com.ng/p/vision-2020-panacea-for-nigerias.html > last accessed 10 April
2016. 28 Sustainable Development Goals accessed at www.undp.org April 12, 2016 29 <http://www.nigeriansinamerica.com/a-new-vision-2020-for-nigeria-at-49-challenges-and-possibilities/> last
accessed 12 April 2016.
Nigeria Vision 2020 and a Challenging Economic Situation: Is Good Governance a Panacea?
10
In 2013, the then Minister of National Planning Commission (NPC), Dr. Shamsuddeen
Usman stated that the realisation of the Vision 2020 by Nigeria was under probability. He
stated that the goals might not be realised as a result of the poor state of the power sector and
other environmental factors militating against rapid economic transformation30.
In recent times, the collapse of oil price has taken its toll on the Nigerian economy. In the
second quarter of 2015, the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 2.35 per cent
in real terms. This was lower by 1.61 per cent from the growth recorded in the preceding
quarter. It is also lower by 4.19 per cent from the growth recorded in the corresponding
quarter of 201431.
A closer look at the subjects of the Vision 2020 shows that these issues/challenges are tied
to the subject of Good Governance. It is important at this point to quote the then U.S.
Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton in Nigeria on her reference to the concept of good
governance in Nigeria on August 12, 2009.
Again, to refer to President Obama’s speech, what Africa needs is not
more strong men; it needs more strong democratic institutions that will
stand the test of time. Without good governance, no amount of oil or
no amount of aid, no amount of effort can guarantee Nigeria’s success.
But with good governance, nothing can stop Nigeria. It’s the same
message that I have carried in all of my meetings, including my
meeting this afternoon with your president. The United States supports
the seven-point agenda for reform that was outlined by President
Yar'Adua. (Vision 2020). We believe that delivering on roads
electricity, education and all the other points of that agenda will
demonstrate the kind of concrete progress that the people of Nigeria
are waiting for.32
30 <http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/04/nigerias-economic-growth-and-vision-202020-2013-budget-not-pro-
poor-professor-of-economics/> last accessed 10 April 2016. 31 <http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/08/nigerian-economy-heading-towards-recession/ > last accessed 13 April
2016. 32 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Good_governance; http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2009a/08/127830.htm
Nigeria Vision 2020 and a Challenging Economic Situation: Is Good Governance a Panacea?
11
Having said the above, it is conclusive that it is only through good governance that can lead
to actualization of Vision 2020.
4. GOOD GOVERNANCE AS A PANACEA TO ACHIEVING VISION 2020
To properly discuss the idea of using good governance as a panacea for Vision 2020, it is
pertinent to discuss what governance is. Scholars have variously defined governance as the
management of society by the people, or as the exercise of authority to manage a country’s
socio-political affairs and resources.33 An alternative definition presents governance to be
the total ability to organize, synthesize and direct the various actions of the working parts of
the government machinery in order for such government to perform meaningfully,
creditably and acceptably.34
Governance has also been defined as the process of decision-making and the implementation
thereof. Given that the term ‘governance’ means different things to different people, it is
useful to use the United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) definition of
‘governance’ among the many existing definitions of the concept. UNDP defines
governance as “the exercise of economic, political and administrative authority to manage a
country’s affairs at all levels. It comprises mechanisms, processes and institutions, through
which citizens and groups articulate their interests, exercise their legal rights, meet their
obligations and mediate their differences.”35
Having thrown light on the meaning and concept of governance, we can now proceed to
discuss good governance. What really is good governance? It is important to note that the
idea of governance is not synonymous with good governance. The relationship between
governance and development has raised the international policy agenda. There is widespread
agreement that governance matters intrinsically and for improvement in economic and social
33 Toyin Cotties Adetiba, Aminur Rahim “Good Corporate and Sustainable Socio-political Development in Nigeria:
A Discourse” Research on Humanities and Social Sciences Online Journal Vol2, No10, 2012. Pg 134. 34 Eregha, E. E. (2007), “Democratic Governance and Development in Africa: Challenges of African Union (AU)”,
Journal of Social Science, 14 (3), 205. 35 UNDP, (1997) Governance for Sustainable Human Development. Pp 2-3.
Nigeria Vision 2020 and a Challenging Economic Situation: Is Good Governance a Panacea?
12
outcomes. Good governance is perhaps the single most important factor in promoting socio
development.36
Good governance specifically is the situation where the government plays its role in
ensuring a lasting panacea to a nation’s problems. Good governance occurs where the forces
in charge of the Government of a Nation work hand-in-hand in promoting and achieving the
goals of such nation. The concept centres on the responsibility of governments and
governing bodies to meet the needs of the masses as opposed to selected groups in society.37
According to the United Nations38, good governance can be said to encompass: full respect
of human rights, the rule of law, effective participation, multi-actor partnerships, political
pluralism, transparent and accountable processes and institutions, an efficient and effective
public sector, legitimacy, access to knowledge, information and education, political
empowerment of people, equity, sustainability, and attitudes and values that foster
responsibility, solidarity and tolerance.
Good governance therefore relates to political and institutional processes and outcomes that
are deemed necessary to achieve the goals of development. It has been said that good
governance is the process whereby public institutions conduct public affairs, manage public
resources and guarantee the realization of human rights in a manner essentially free of abuse
and corruption, and with due regard for the rule of law. The true test of "good" governance
is the degree to which it delivers on the promise of human rights: civil, cultural, economic,
political and social rights. The key question is: are the institutions of governance effectively
guaranteeing the right to health, adequate housing, sufficient food, quality education, fair
justice and personal security?39
Good governance essentially involves justice, equity, protection of life and property,
enhanced participation, preservation of the rule of law and improved living standard of the
36 Toyin Adetiba and Aminur Rahim (2012) ibid 15 37 Khan, Mushtaq Husain (2004). State formation in Palestine: viability and governance during a social
transformation: Volume 2 of Political economy of the Middle East and North Africa. Routledge. ISBN 978-0-415-
33802-8. <Last accessed April 10, 2016> 38 http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/Development/GoodGovernance/Pages/GoodGovernanceIndex.aspx <last
accessed April 10, 2016>
Nigeria Vision 2020 and a Challenging Economic Situation: Is Good Governance a Panacea?
13
populace. Governance is therefore termed bad when it fails to achieve these purposes. Good
governance is about the performance capacity of a government or as it relates to leadership
capability. Failure of governance, therefore, could expressly mean failure of leadership.40
Some of the characteristics of good governance are41:
a. Good Governance is Accountable
Accountability is a fundamental requirement of good governance. A Government has
an obligation to report, explain and be answerable for the consequences of the
decisions it has made on behalf of the community it represents.
b. Good Governance is Transparent
Transparency means that decisions taken and the enforcement of same are done in a
manner that follows due process, rules and regulations. It also means that information
is freely available and directly accessible to those who will be affected by such
decisions and their enforcement. People should be able to follow and understand the
decision-making process. This means that they will be able to clearly see how and
why a decision was made, what information, advice and consultation the government
considered, and which legislative requirements (when relevant) are followed.
c. Good Governance Follows the Rule of Law
Good governance requires fair legal frameworks that are enforced impartially. It also
requires full protection of human rights, particularly those of minorities. Impartial
enforcement of laws requires an independent judiciary and an impartial and
incorruptible police force. This means that decisions are consistent with relevant
legislation.
39 ibid 40 <http://leadership.ng/columns/383507/good-governance-panacea-sustainable-democracy> last accessed 10 April
2016> 41 <http://www.goodgovernance.org.au/about-good-governance/what-is-good-governance/> last accessed 10 April
2016.
Nigeria Vision 2020 and a Challenging Economic Situation: Is Good Governance a Panacea?
14
d. Good Governance is Responsive
An attribute of good governance is the requirement that institutions and processes try
to serve all stakeholders within a practical timeframe. A Government should always
try to serve the needs of the entire community while balancing competing interests in
a timely, appropriate and responsive manner.
e. Good Governance is Equitable and Inclusive
A community’s wellbeing results from all of its members feeling that the government
has considered their interests in the decision-making process. This means that all
groups, particularly the most vulnerable, should have opportunities to participate in
the process.
f. Good Governance is Effective and Efficient
A Government should implement decisions and follow processes that make the best
use of the available people, resources and time to ensure the best possible results
for their community.
g. Good Governance is Participatory
Anyone that may be affected by or interested in a decision should have the
opportunity to participate in the process for making that decision. This can happen in
several ways – community members may be provided with information, asked for
their opinion, given the opportunity to make recommendations or, in some cases, be
part of the actual decision-making process.
The United Nations Commission on Human Rights in its resolution 2000/64 identified the
key attributes of good governance as:
- Transparency
- Responsibility
- Accountability
- Participation and responsiveness (to the needs of the people)42
42 http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/Development/GoodGovernance/Pages/GoodGovernanceIndex.aspx <last
accessed April 12, 2016>
Nigeria Vision 2020 and a Challenging Economic Situation: Is Good Governance a Panacea?
15
How then do we achieve good governance in Nigeria? Nayef Al-Rodhan43, in his 2009
book Sustainable History and the Dignity of Man: A Philosophy of History and
Civilisational Triumph, proposed eight minimum criteria for ensuring good national
governance. These are:
- Participation, equity, and inclusiveness,
- Rule of law,
- Separation of powers,
- Free, independent, and responsible media,
- Government legitimacy,
- Accountability,
- Transparency, and
- Limiting the distorting effect of money in politics.
Figure: (Nayef-Al-Rodhan, 2009)
The writer posited that good national governance is an important component in creating a
history of sustainability for the human race. These eight minimal criteria of good
governance are for him, expressions of the fundamental values of democracy and more
liberal constitutionalism. Suffice to state that respect for Fundamental Human Rights is also
essential in the pursuit of good governance.
43 Al-Rodhan, Nayef R.F., Sustainable History and the Dignity of Man: A Philosophy of History and Civilisational
Triumph, LIT, 2009.
Nigeria Vision 2020 and a Challenging Economic Situation: Is Good Governance a Panacea?
16
The major challenges to good governance include lack of rule of law, lack of democratic
practice, weak state institutions, lack of accountability and lack of transparency.44 Indeed, it
was expected that after 15 years of civil and constitutionally guided government, Nigeria
should have recorded significant growth in the parameters aforementioned. Unfortunately,
the country has been grappling with conflicts, acts of insurgency and terrorism, which stem
from extreme poverty, inequality, ethnicity, alienation and bad governance.
Good governance is absolutely imperative for social and economic progress. For good
governance to be feasible in Nigeria, sound anti-corruption policies must be put in place.
There have to exist a functional legislature, a viable and independent judiciary, and the
attitudinal transformation on the part of our political elite, the absence of which good
governance and development will continue to be a mirage. In addition, the successful
conduct of free, fair and credible general elections is an important foundation of democracy
and good governance. Credible elections ensure that the right and capable candidates are
elected into offices, capable of delivering on campaign promises and good governance, not
selected candidates who are only interested in enriching themselves and their “godfathers”,
thus advertently putting round pegs in square holes.45
Good governance relies on principles such as accountability, anti-corruption and
thoroughness on the part of government. For the government to be accountable, it must
come out with initiative such as strengthening of institutions like the anti-corruption
institutions (EFCC and ICPC) to check the excesses of corrupt politicians, corporate bodies
and individuals both in public and private sectors, create mechanisms of information
sharing, monitoring government use of public funds and policies implementation. However,
these institutions of government must be careful not to be used as instruments of vendetta/
44 Obi-Nwosu H. Ph.D., Nwafor C.E. Ph.D., and Joe-Akunne C, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Anambra State
‘Cognitive Restructuring: A Panacea For Good Governance And National Security In Nigeria’.
http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2668937 <last accessed April 16, 2016> 45 <http://leadership.ng/columns/383507/good-governance-panacea-sustainable-democracy> last accessed 15 April
2016.
Nigeria Vision 2020 and a Challenging Economic Situation: Is Good Governance a Panacea?
17
oppression on opposition parties by any person or group and must reflect a fair and
unbiased attitude of intolerance for corruption and the excesses of public office holders.46
5. RECOMMENDATIONS
To achieve the goals set out in Vision 2020 in line with good governance, the following must
be put in place:47
i. The creation of an enabling stable political climate that is built on democratic
ethos and principles that are practical and maintained in the society.
ii. Championing sound economic policies and creating a conducive business
environment in order to attract foreign direct investments in the Nigerian
economy. To buttress this point, the Honourable Minister of Finance of the
Federal Government of Nigeria, Mrs Kemi Adeosun made a presentation to
captains of industry and other stakeholders on April 9, 2016 on the state of the
nation’s economy and the way forward for Nigeria. In her presentation, she
stated that the framework for restoring the Nigerian economy and tackling the
problem faced by the nation would be through Fiscal Discipline, Targeted
Investment and Diversification of the Economy.
iii. Mass participation of people in the political process
iv. Government needs to provide enabling environment to encourage private sector
and aid the employment of the teeming youth population. This will also
encourage local production, which will ultimately lead to export, instead of being
an import-dependent country.
46 IOSR Journal of Business and Management (IOSRJBM) ISSN: 2278-487X Volume 2, Issue 3 (July-Aug. 2012),
PP 36-40 www.iosrjournals.org www.iosrjournals.org “Good Governance as Panacea to the Socio-Economic Crises
in Nigeria” Danjuma Abdullahi Ph.D., p. 40. 47 47 IOSR Journal of Business and Management (IOSRJBM) ISSN: 2278-487X Volume 2, Issue 3 (July-Aug.
2012), PP 36-40 www.iosrjournals.org www.iosrjournals.org “Good Governance as Panacea to the Socio-
Economic Crises in Nigeria” Danjuma Abdullahi PhD, pg 40.
Nigeria Vision 2020 and a Challenging Economic Situation: Is Good Governance a Panacea?
18
v. Government should pursue projects that have direct bearing on the masses such
as provision of constant power supply, good road networks, adequate
infrastructural development and development of agricultural sector.
vi. The educational sector should be structured towards both formal education and
vocational training that will enable every youth have an opportunity to learn
relevant/appropriate skills that will enable them live good and normal lives.
6. CONCLUSION
The country’s future largely depends on the extent to which the elements of good
governance are implemented. These elements make it easy for the development of
cooperative relationship among different institutions (public, private and civil societies) and
different ethnic or social groups. To achieve good governance therefore, the political
process, the economic process and the psychosocial process must be integrated. The
economic process should focus on the transparency of public accounts, the effectiveness of
public resources management and the stability of the regulatory environment for private
sector activity.
Political process should focus on the legitimacy of government, the accountability of the
political elements of government and respect for human rights and the rule of law. The
psychosocial process should focus on how to build, strengthen and promote the character,
behavior or attitude of the democratic institutions and tolerance in the society through
commitment, consistency and continuity with a common dream or goal to avoid cognitive
dissonance among the different institutions.48
As I stated elsewhere49, it is not only in ethnicity, religion and language that you find
diversity in Nigeria. Different parts of the country are endowed with different mineral and
48 H., Obi-Nwosu and Nwafor, Chidozie Edwin and C., Joe-Akunne, “Cognitive Restructuring: A Panacea for Good
Governance and National Security in Nigeria” (Novermber 3, 2014). Social Science Research, Vol 2(2) 99-109,
2014. Available at SSRN: http://ssrn.com/abstract=2668937 accessed April 11, 2016 49 FI Ajogwu, ‘Federalism and National Unity – Optimising the Richness of Diversity’ a lecture delivered at the
University of Ibadan Faculty of Law 2014 Annual Public Lecture at Law Auditorium, on June 13, 2014
Nigeria Vision 2020 and a Challenging Economic Situation: Is Good Governance a Panacea?
19
natural resources that form a strong tool for economic development. Apart from oil and gas
that is the major source of earning for the country, the following solid minerals are available
in Nigeria: Gold, Lead/Zinc, Iron-Ore, Coal, Tin, Bitumen, Columbite, Tantalite,
Wolframite, Talc, Gypsum, Bentonite, Rock Salt, Gemstones, Baryte and Kaolin. The
diversity in the natural resources and mineral endowment of Nigeria if properly harnessed
should be among the drivers of economic development in Nigeria in addition to the
enormous potentials in the Nigerian oil and gas industry. It begs the question of good
governance in the country. For these diverse natural resources to be properly harnessed,
good governance that understands and utilizes the principles of ideal federalism is
indispensable.
As stated by the Honourable Minister of Finance of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,50 the
targeted outcomes of Fiscal Discipline, Targeted Investment and Diversification of the
Economy by the government would lead to a substantial increase in gross capital formation;
acceleration of GDP growth; infrastructure development to unlock economic growth; growth
of the non-oil sector; an improvement in the overall business environment; and improvement
in key socio-economic indicators, jobs and wealth creation. Despite the current economic
situation in Nigeria, the country can indeed make it to the top 20 economies of the world by
the year 2020 if the country’s vast human and economic resources are properly harnessed
and managed through the instrumentality of good governance.
Nigeria must imbibe the culture of transparency and accountability with greater managerial
skills, adequate funding and greater private sector participation. The Legislature, Executive
and the Judiciary need to work hand-in-hand to achieve the desired goal for the nation. The
government should also be an all-inclusive one where the ideas of the people are taken into
consideration to move the nation towards the realization of Vision 2020.
Let me add that the solution does not appear to lie in looking at the West for help. Help
should come from Nigerians. Help from the West will often come in the form of aid,
50 “Sowing seeds of Prosperity, Outlook of the Nigerian Economy” Being part of the presentation made to captains
of industry and other stakeholders on 9th April 2016 by The Honourable Minister of Finance of the Federal
Government of Nigeria, Kemi Adeosun at the Special Edition of the LBS Breakfast Club.
Nigeria Vision 2020 and a Challenging Economic Situation: Is Good Governance a Panacea?
20
grants or loan, and policy conditionality, with its own price tag. We should ensure that
democracy and the rule of law (with the necessary checks and balances) remain. We
would need to stress judicial reforms, transparency and accountability in government,
strong institutions of restraint (e.g. a strong legal system, civil service, financial system,
etc.) In doing so, we will be able to harness its competitive advantage in making the best
of its natural and human resources, in encouraging manufactured exports and gearing for
the transition from the primary to the secondary sector of economic development. As I
have said elsewhere, Nigeria’s problem is for it to solve – No one (but Nigerians) owes it
a living!51
Since we hold today and its assets in trust for the future generation, the solution will only
come from an acceptance of purposeful leadership, accountable leadership, a service-
oriented leadership, and effective leadership that delivers on the promise to the
constituents. Leadership that discharges and honors the trust that we hold!
_____________________________
Fabian Ajogwu, SAN
Professor of Corporate Governance
April 27, 2016
Email: [email protected]
51 Paper presented at the Centre for Values in Leadership Lecture held in honour of Elder Felix Ohiwere, at his 77th
birthday at Lagos on January 23 2014.
Nigeria Vision 2020 and a Challenging Economic Situation: Is Good Governance a Panacea?
21
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