Promoting Sustainable Economic Development in Nigeria: An Evaluation of the Rural Sector (1976-2017)

Abstract

This paper examines critically the Promotion of the Economic and Sustainable Development in Nigeria: with particular reference to the rural sector. The past and present efforts of the Nigerian Governments on rural industrialization and development as a panacea for sustainable development and poverty reduction in the country have been evaluated in this paper. Empirical, theoretical examinations and analyses of the various efforts of the previous and present administrations of the Federal Government of Nigeria indicate that "Bad Governance” and "policy inconsistency” as well as "corruption” had remained the bane of all attempts at rural and sustainable development in Nigeria. The study reveals that rural development in Nigeria since 1976 -2017 had remained a paradox, because the more efforts the government claims to make on rural development the worse the level of poverty in the rural areas turns out to be. It is advisable to point out that from the various reviews in this study that the best solution to tackling Nigeria's rural under development is for the present government in the country to ensure good governance and policy consistency that bring about sustainable development. Equally, corruption should be tackled head long at its roots by all the tiers of governments to allow for effective rural sustainable development in Nigeria. Finally, integrated rural development strategy should be employed by all tiers of government and other rural development agencies and / or stakeholder for effective realization of sustainable development in Nigeria.