The way out: A holistic
approach needed
Firstly, it is important to note here that the solutions to Nigeria‘s problems lie within.
Numerous research papers, committee and conference reports have highlighted the
need for the country to investment massively in infrastructural development,
modernize the agricultural sector, and invest in human capital, education, technology
expertise and entrepreneurial skills of youth to facilitate the transition to high-
productivity sectors.
To sustainably reduce poverty, Nigeria‘s economy must create more productive and
competitive jobs. For this to happen there is a need to capitalize high-productivity
―secondary‖ sectors in Nigeria (e.g. industry/manufacturing), while also enhancing the
productivity levels in low-productivity sectors (e.g. agriculture).
Unfortunately in Nigeria, everyone is looking to a single
actor (the federal government) to make this happen.
Admittedly, any real efforts to improve Nigeria‘s non-oil exports deficit will be led by
government. However, efforts by the federal government alone will not reverse the
current trend. There is a need to ensure that every sector plays its role in this effort.
A 360-degree view sectors, with each sector playing its
proper role.
Addressing this problem from the
perspective of a single actor may
produce results in the short-term. In
the medium to long-term, those results
are unsustainable. The key to getting it
right (and creating the right
environment to grow non-oil sectors
and non-oil exports in Nigeria) is to
create linkages between all relevant State governments
must get off the
sidelines
State governments in Nigeria have had
it too easy for far too long. For the
most part, support for productive and
manufacturing activities at the state