Developing a Comprehensive Strategy for Raising Nigeria’s Human Development Index Based on Undp Human Development Report 2008-2009

Abstract

The study analyzed human development problems Nigeria faces based on 2008-2009 UNDP human development report. In it I argue that Nigeria need to focus seriously on education, health and equitable income distribution indicators of Human Development Index (HDI) for urgent improvement of its HDI ranking. Further, I suggest that a comprehensive rural development strategy is required for the country in order to close the gap that exists between rural and urban areas.  The report indicates that South South scored the highest in term of human development index while the Northeast scored the lowest. The articles conclude that as Nigeria s ranked 158^th in the World, income inequality remain high with low life expectancy at an average of below 50 years. I then recommend that government must do much on security, corruption and the health system. A comprehensive and holistic rural development strategy must be implemented to bridge the gab between the urban and rural dweller.

Keywords: Human Development, Economy, Growth, Income inequality and poverty