Achievements of Millennium Development Goals in Nigeria: A Critical Examination

Abstract

This study is set out to examine the achievements of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) so far in Nigeria. The MDGs which came as succour to most developing countries has been adjudged as the world biggest promise to mankind. In Nigeria and most developing African nations, when some are saddled with the responsibility to serve, they begin to see that as an opportunity to say good bye to poverty, by engaging in personal aggrandizement. Although corruption is as old as human race, there are efforts geared towards addressing the recurring decimal in Nigeria. The study critical compared Nigeria and the Republic of South Africa with the mindset to examining the efforts geared towards achieving the MDGs in 2015 and whether the Goals are achievable at the stipulated benchmark. The achievements of the Goals so far and the various factors that militates against the attainment of the Goals will be succinctly examined. The study contends that indiscipline, endemic corruption among other factors that has remained a cankerworm to the development of Nigeria as a nation is our major challenge. It concluded that, although the Goals are not achievable based on 2015 benchmark. However, all other things been equal, if all the factors militating against the achievement as canvassed in this study are carefully and sensitively taken care of, Nigeria will be able to achieve the Goals in 2015.

Keywords: Nigeria, Millennium Development, Goals, MDGs, Nigeria Factor