Poor governance remains major Nigeria’s problem —Researchers

Poor utilisation (and not availability) of resources has again been identified as the most crucial factor retarding the socio-political and economic progress of Nigeria.

This observation was made last Thursday by the conference of researchers at the 13th annual research conference and fair organised by the University of Lagos, UNILAG, Akoka.

The programme, with the theme: “Resource utilisation and sustainable development,” and ended on Thursday, has more than 544 participants from various universities and polytechnics across the country, including University of Nigeria, Nsuka; Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife; University of Benin, Benin City; Uthman Dan Fodio Univesrity, Sokoto; Federal Polytechnic, Ede; Federal University of Technology, Akure; Bell University of Science and Technology, Ota; Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, and Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, just to mention a few, in attendance. And some of the researchers from across faculties including pharmacy, arts, engineering, education and so forth, whose works were adjudged exemplary from their colleagues by a panel of external assessors constituted for the purpose were given awards of excellence at the event.

However, the researchers in their communique issued at the end of the three-day programme and read by the UNILAG’s Director of Academic Planning, Prof Wale Okunuga, also listed over-dependence on oil wealth, official extravagance of resources, low budget for health care and education, high rate of youth unemployment, low value for native languages, poor electricity supply and high illiteracy as other serious challenges slowing down Nigeria’s progress.

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Even at this, they said there was still much hope for the country if all the identified variables could be addressed holistically and constructively, noting that the bulk of the work lies with the policymakers in private and public segments of the economy.

They, therefore, recommended that it would be necessary for Nigeria to wean itself of the system of oil dependence economy, invest and restructure education system to focus on industries need, reform defective institutions, improve on health and education budgetary allocations, develop the use of indigenous languages, give value to societal ethics and morals.

Above all, they suggested that, since leadership is strategic, the country should focus on building the right people that would effectively manage the country resources, drive and sustain development.