The Relevance of Culture to the Socio Economic Growth and Development of Nigeria: A Legal Perspective

Abstract

Nigeria is an example of a nation born out of a cultural womb foreign to it. As a result, participation of Nigerians in cultural life is poor. Nigeria’s lofty overall development aspirations remain largely unachieved as a result of the fact that the country is yet to recognize the pride of place culture occupies in development. Nigeria pledges to protect, preserve and promote the Nigerian cultures which enhance human dignity and which are consistent with the fundamental objectives as provided in Chapter II of the 1999 Constitution as well as to encourage development of technological and scientific studies which enhance cultural values. The Nigerian culture has not been harnessed for the socio-economic growth of the country. As a result, primary means of survival is not guaranteed. This accounts for the downward trend of socio-economic development inspite of laudable measures put in place to attain socio-economic development in Nigeria.  Development programme which takes into account the link between cultural diversity which is likely to bring better dividend is lacking. This is what this paper aims to achieve. The paper made use of primary and secondary sources of information from the library. In this paper, issues bordering on culture and development, impact of colonialism on the socio-economic development shall be looked into.  This is with the aim to mainstreaming culture into the Nigeria’s development agenda.

Keywords:  Constitution, Culture, Socio-Economic Development