Culture: A Basis for Economic and Human Development: The Case of Nigeria

Abstract

The paper examined culture as a basis for economic and human development with reference to Nigeria as a case study. It discusses the role of culture in economic and human development, established linkage between and among culture, economic and human development variables and relevance of culture in economic and human development. Data used were based on countries whose economic and human development were evident in culture such as Chile, Sweden, India, Ireland etc.it was found that the advent of colonial master in Nigeria has trample on the culture of people of Nigeria and depleted her values. The colonial master brought a culture of “divide and Rule” which permeates across the nation thus, serving as hinderances to both economic and human development since independence. It was concluded that any economic and human development that alienate culture will not withstand test of time and cannot be seen to represent development. Recommendation was that developmental efforts should not ignore culture.

Keywords: culture, economic development, human development, national planning,