NEW PARTNERSHIP FOR AFRICA’S DEVELOPMENT (NEPAD) AS A STRATEGY FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA: PROSPECTS AND CHALLENGES

ABSTRACT

The picture of Africa particularly Nigeria, has been characterized by daunting challenges of economic underdevelopment, political instability, unemployment, poverty and diseases in the 21st century. The scenario called for the introduction of an Indigenous African Approach to problems peculiar to Africa, resulting into the formation of NEPAD with its country office in Nigeria. The study therefore sets out to examine the impact as well as the challenges of NEPAD in promoting sustainable development in Nigeria adopting Underdevelopment and Dependency theory (UDT) as its theoretical framework . Qualitative content analysis method was adopted to analyse secondary data collected from publicly acknowledge sources. The findings from the study revealed that NEPAD has made significant impacts on the following in Nigeria: universal basic education, agriculture, health sector, gender equality and women empowerment. Further in the results, it was revealed that NEPAD, through the NEEDS initiative in Nigeria, has helped the country in achieving growth in income and macro-economic stability. Disappointedly, the result provides evidence in support of the fact that NEPAD has failed in reducing the number of the poor and reducing the inequality gap. In term of the challenges, the study revealed that certain factors like corruption (one of the major challenges), reliance on developed countries, and conflict among others are challenges that serve as inhibiting factors towards the attainment of NEPAD objectives in Nigeria. Hence, it was recommended among others that political leaders in Nigeria should inculcate the habit of good governance and accountability in government, be more creative and innovative in revenue generation rather than being dependent on the developed world. Above all, Nigerian leaders should show more commitment and demonstrate strong political will towards the course of NEPAD.  

TABLE OF CONTENT

Title pagei

Certification       ii

Dedication      iii

Acknowledgements     iv

Abstract     v

Table of content    vi

CHAPTER ONE: 

1.1Introduction      1

1.2Statement of Problem      4

1.3Research Questions     4

1.4Objectives of the Study            5

1.5Significance of the Study     5

1.6Research Assumption     5

1.7Scope and Limitations     6

1.8Research Methodology     6

1.9Sources of Data and Methodology of the Study     9

1.10 Definition of Key Concepts.   10

1.11 Organization of Chapters    12

CHAPTER TWO:

2.0Literature Review    13

2.1Development    13

2.1.1Modernization Theory    13

2.1.2Dependency Theory    14

2.1.3World Systems Theory   14

2.1.4State Theory     15

2.1.5 Development Economics Theories    15

2.1.6Human Development Theory     16

2.2Sustainable Development    17

2.3NEPAD    20

CHAPTER THREE: 

3.0Background and Organization of NEPAD     28

3.1Historical Background of NEPAD     28

3.2New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD)           35

3.3The Principles of NEPAD    37

3.4The Priority of NEPAD      39

3.5MEMBERSHIP OF NEPAD      41

3.6 Governance Structure of NEPAD    42

3.7NEPAD Nigeria    44

3.8 National Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (Needs)                        45

3.9 Objectives of NEEDS    47

CHAPTER FOUR

4.1 Role of NEPAD in PromotingSustainable Development in Nigeria                                      49

4.2Impacts of NEPAD in Building Sustainable Development in   Nigeria                                             51

4.2.1  Impact of NEPAD on Poverty Eradication     51

4.2.2  Impacts of NEPAD on Agriculture     55

4.2.3   Impacts of NEPAD on Economic Development     58

4.2.4   Impacts of NEPAD on the           Area of Universal Basic Education                                     59  4.2.5  Gender Equality and Women Empowerment    62

4.2.6   Impacts of NEPAD on Health-Care Sector    63

4.2.7Impacts of NEPAD on             Global Partnership for Development                                     65

4.3Challenges in the Implementation of NEPAD’s Projects.                  66

4.4Test of Assumption    69

4.5Summary of Findings    71

CHAPTER FIVE 

5.0Summary, Conclusion and Recommendations     73

5.1Summary    73

5.2Conclusion     74

5.3Recommendations    74

BIBLIOGRAPHY    76