Attaining Sustainable Development in Post-Conflict Societies: A Conceptual and Theoretical Perspective from North-East Nigeria (Published)
One of the most cherished aspirations of every society emerging from conflict is its ability to transform, bounce back and attain sustainable development in the post-conflict period. No society indicate or abhors lack of willingness to achieve such a noble dream. In Nigeria, the crises of Boko Haram led to the destruction of properties and communities, death of persons, and displacement of millions of individuals. The violent conflict has destroyed several livelihood sources and made many rich individuals poor and destitute and as well sent many young people, women and children into their untimely graves. This paper examines the attainment of sustainable development in post-conflict societies with focus on North-East Nigeria. The paper is hinged on conceptual and theoretical approach to examining the post-conflict state of attaining sustainable development using secondary data derived from published and unpublished sources with analysis based of thematic approach using document analysis. The focus of the paper is on the ravaging violent conflict by the Boko Haram insurgents in the by addressing the key fundamental issues including the phases of conflicts management and recovery, the strategies for the attainment of sustainable development and economic prosperity in the post conflict society, the key actors and strategic stakeholders in the post conflict recovery and reconstructions, and the challenges confronting sustainable development in the post-conflict society.
Keywords: Conflict, Development, Sustainable Development, post-conflict societies
Poverty Reduction and Sustainable Development Goals in Rural Areas in Nigeria: A Study of Selected Local Government Areas in Enugu State, Nigeria (Published)
This study examined poverty reduction and SDGs in rural areas in Nigeria with reference to selected local government areas in Enugu State. The study adopted the descriptive survey research design and made use of both primary and secondary sources of data. The population of the study was 722,664 people of the three local government areas selected to represent Enugu State, while the sample size was 400 derived via Taro Yamani formula size determination. The cluster sampling technique was applied to select the sample from the population of the study, while the data collected were presented and analyzed using frequency percentage and chi-square (X2) analysis. The study revealed a number of factors contributing to increasing rate of poverty in the rural areas in Nigeria –corruption, debt burden, unemployment, overdependence on oil, lack of political will, ethno-religious conflicts among others. The study also revealed the challenges of implementing SDGs to reduce poverty in rural areas in Nigeria –endemic corruption, lack of effective policies, lack of accountability, insecurity, poor infrastructure among others. The study discovered the SDGs based rural poverty reduction strategic framework in place for rural areas in Nigeria to include job creation, adequate budgetary allocation, integrated rural development program, provision of basic needs, creation of awareness, adoption of the basic needs strategy, full integration of the rural poor, targeting among others. Finally, the study also revealed bottom-up approach, capacity acquisition, provision of infrastructure, inter-agency cooperation, objective targeting among others as measures to efficient implementation of SDGs in rural poverty reduction in Nigeria. Based on these findings, the researchers recommended that the Nigerian government should address the issues of poverty reduction programs via effective implementation of poverty reduction related program/policies among others.
Keywords: Development, Poverty, Poverty Reduction, Rural Area, SDGs
Godfatherism and its Effects on Nigeria’s Democracy (Published)
Godfatherism has been the focal point of political gangalism in Africa and other developing countries around the globe. Godfatherism has been a hallmark of Nigeria’s democracy today. With the restoration of democratic rule in 1999, the nation has seen an increase in the politics of godfatherism, which has slowed the consolidation of democracy while also undermining efficient state governance and restricting rather than broadening democratic representation. Godfatherism has taken its toll in the country’s politics, causing disharmony, disunity, conflict, and disaffection among various political and interest groups in the country. Its lethargy has exacerbated electoral passivism and aparthism, slowing Nigeria’s democratic transition. This study therefore, investigates the causes, nature and effects of godfatherism on Nigeria’s nascent democracy. The paper based its investigation on the elite theory and the study reveals that political godfatherism is responsible for weak institutions in the country. The study therefore, concludes that political godfathers and godsons have denied the people the rights to vote for their preferred candidate as their leaders. The study however, recommends that voting should be reformed to make it more difficult for individuals and institutions to finance political parties and politicians, this will go a long way towards eradicating godfatherism in Nigeria, and give room for democracy to flourish.
Keywords: Democracy, Development, Political Conflict, godfatherism, personal interest
Multinational Corporations: Agents of Imperialism and Underdevelopment in Third World States: A Study of the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria (Published)
The role of Multinational Corporations in the development and underdevelopment of the less developed countries (LDCs) has provoked hot debates in recent times, considering their activities and attitudes towards the host communities of the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Multinational Corporations seek out societies with low production costs, poor working conditions, and abundant and easily exploitable resources, where profits can be maximized and repatriated without legal constraints. It has been argued that the activities of Multinational Corporations in the less developed countries (LDCs) have somehow crushed national prospects for egalitarian and sustainable development in the host nations as against the popular view by the liberals that, Multinational Corporations are essentially agents of economic development in the host nations. This paper will therefore examine critically the role of Multinational Corporations in the development and/or underdevelopment of the less developed countries (LDCs).
Keywords: Development, Economy, Imperialism, Underdevelopment, multinational corporation
A Policy Evaluation of the Anchor Borrowers Programme and Smallholder Farmers in The Federal Capital Territory, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja (Published)
The paper has carried out an evaluation of the Anchor Borrowers programme of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari implemented through the Central Bank of Nigeria. this agricultural support programme was established in 2015, an agricultural policy, which is targeted at assisting the small-scale farmers in different forms so as to boost their productivity, income improvement, reduce unemployment and above all achieve food security. The desire of this paper is to attempt an in-depth study as regards the effect of Anchor Borrowers’ Programme on smallholder farmers and food security in Nigeria. This study relied on both primary and secondary data. Questionnaire was used to source the primary data and was administered to respondents in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The theoretical frameworks adopted for this study were modernization theory and Keynesian theory of economic development. It was discovered that the introduction of the anchor borrowers’ programme was with very good intentions by the Federal government of Nigeria (FGN) and as such the necessary tools were put in place for the implementation. The study concludes that Anchor Borrowers’ Initiative has empowered smallholder farmers in Federal Capital Territory, Abuja towards boosting farmers’ productivity and achieving food security even in the face of confrontational challenges. The paper recommended that loans should be directly given to farmers instead of through politicians and farmers should be more sensitized on the scheme in the remote villages so that they could benefit more from this initiative.
Citation: Shidali Nasiru (2022) A Policy Evaluation of the Anchor Borrowers Programme and Smallholder Farmers in The Federal Capital Territory, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Global Journal of Political Science and Administration, Vol.10, No.3, pp.27-41
Keywords: Agriculture, Development, Economy, Intervention, anchor borrowers
Women Participation in Politics and National Development (Published)
The contribution of women to the socio-economic and political development of any modern democratic state is essential and indispensable. This paper examines the extent of women participation in politics and national development in Nigeria. The study adopted secondary data as sources of information. The constraints of women participation inpolitics pose as hindrance to national developmentin Nigeria. It is discernible from this study that cultural, environmental, educational and gender factors are major barriers to active women participation inpolitics. It is part of the objectives of this work to realize active women participation in National political life for a sustainable National development.Government at all levels should embark on enlightenment campaign to sensitize the public on the need for more women to embrace and pursue education as this is a catalyst for active women participation inpolitics. It is also recommended that coercive legislations should be made at all levels against every form of discrimination against women.
Keywords: Development, National Development, Participation, Politics, Women
Electoral Malpractice as a Challenge to Sustainable Development in Nigeria (Published)
This study is a descriptive one. It examines the motives behind electoral malpractice in Nigeria, finds out the factors that aid the act in the study area, and discusses the consequences of electoral malpractice on the country’s sustainable development. It relied on secondary data that were content analysed. The study found that crave for power, attitude of the politicians who see politics as investment, vengeance and preponderance of seeing electoral periods as pay-back times are some of the motives for engaging in electoral malpractice. Additionally, poverty, lack or poor political education, bribery and corruption, and inadequate planning on the part of political parties/candidates are some of the factors responsible for electoral malpractice. The study also found that electoral malpractice slows down development, breeds violence and destroys the image of Nigeria. The study further draws implications of electoral malpractice for the Nigerian state. As ways out of the challenge, there is need for more political education by National Orientation Agency and Independent National Electoral Commission, institution of electoral-courts, and thorough enforcement of the electoral act, making the electoral body truly autonomous and putting of appropriate legislation in place to punish offenders in order to overcome some of the havocs electoral malpractice wrecks in Nigeria.
Keywords: Development, Election, Violence, electoral courts, electoral malpractice
National Security Challenges and Sustainable Development in Nigeria: A Critical Analysis of the Niger Delta Region (Published)
Nigeria has on daily basis experienced an upsurge of activities that threatens and endangers its national security. In recent times, the Nigerian nation suddenly metamorphosed into an abode of insecurity. The Niger Delta region which is the centre of Nigeria’s oil wealth has been the scene of protest, conflict and violence. Despite its abundant oil wealth, there has been unimaginable level of poverty, unemployment, inequality, poor infrastructure, lack of social amenities and negligible development in the region. In view of this scenario, the paper basically analyses and ascertains the impact of national security challenges on sustainable development in Nigeria with a particular focus on the Niger Delta region and the responses by successive governments in tackling them. Findings from the paper reveal among others that, the security challenges in Nigeria have long historical antecedence and the crises and conflicts in the Niger Delta region are the consequences of several years of exploitation, neglect and deliberate abandonment of the region which is the economic base of the nation, by successive governments and oil multinationals. The paper therefore concludes and recommends amongst others, the formulation and effective implementation of policies capable of addressing the root causes of insecurity in Nigeria and that more efforts should be made by the federal government and oil companies to improve the quality of human lives in the region and the nation at large. Qualitative and descriptive methods of data analysis were adopted for this study. The paper used secondary data in which conclusion and recommendations where derived.
Keywords: Challenges, Development, Insecurity, National Security, Niger-Delta, Nigeria, Security, Sustainable Development
Anatomy of Rebellion: Insurgency, Insurrection, and Militancy in Nigeria (Published)
Transitional societies face a myriad of problems which include incessant conflicts. Some scholars and international financial institutions believed that neoliberal economic growth and policies in support of them would reduce poverty and end conflicts. While not disputing the role of economic growth in a country’s development, this paper takes the view that a holistic approach that recognizes good governance can do more to promote sustainable peace and development. The methodology for this paper was content analysis of official documents, articles and other written sources. The paper observes that the absence of good governance has provided a fertile ground for some of these conflicts to emerge such as insurrections, insurgencies, and general insecurity of lives and property. It concludes that a developmental model that takes cognizance of this can provide the best option for emerging societies in need of lasting peace.
Keywords: Al Qaeda, Boko Haram, Colonialism, Development, Governance, Insurgency, Insurrection, Militancy, Rebellion
THEORETICAL APPROACHES TO THE UNDERSTANDING OF AFRICA’S POLITICS AND THE CHALLENGES OF DEVELOPMENT (Published)
The paper discusses conceptual and theoretical approaches to Africa politics such as the Modernization School; Marxian School; and the Statist School of thought vis-à-vis development and underdevelopment paradigm. The paper uncovers critical argument in various schools of thought, the variables that have caused relative development and severe-underdevelopment in Africa society at present and in the past respectively. Using Nigeria as a point of departure and melting-point, it will critically and objectively identify the problems and challenges of development in Africa and offer suggestions that will move Africa further along the path of development. The paper is aim to write-off the general belief that contemporary Africa countries are poor or underdeveloped due to neo-colonialism or imperialism that has been advance by Marxian scholars and Africa-nationalist in different underdeveloped literature. It has been a contending issue whether formal colonised Africa states can develop? Consequently, the paper concluded with statist school of thought attributing underdevelopment (poverty, unemployment, communal clashes, the rise of ethnic militia and militancy and so no) due to the problem of corruption and failure of governmental policies implementation in Africa created by Africa’s leaders. However, the paper is limited to issues of development and underdevelopment within colonised Africa states and in achieving the above objectives, the paper rely on secondary data. Moreover, Nigeria was adopted as a reference of analyses due to her population placement in the continent of Africa and one of the key players in international politics.
Keywords: Development, Marxian, Modernization, Statist And Corruption, Underdevelopment