OPINION: AN ACCESSMENT OF NIGERIA’S PERFORMANCE IN THE OPTICS OF THE UN 17 SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS AGENDA 2030. ( Periodic quaterly review & update — ( September ’22)

OPINION: AN ACCESSMENT OF NIGERIA’S PERFORMANCE IN THE OPTICS OF THE UN 17 SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS AGENDA 2030. ( Periodic quaterly review & update — ( September ’22)

●—Global Troubled Economic lull – (No Poverty ).
•— Heads of world institutions acknowledged impending Food crisis.( Zero Hunger )
•— Electricity generation ( Affordable Clean Energy)
•— A foremost INDUSTRIALIST BUA Group Chairman Applauded & Acknowledged the FG for creating enabling environment. ( Industry )
•—– Health delivery in Africa , Nigeria with 33,303 Gen. Hospitals, 20,278 Pry.Health Centres and 59 Teaching Hospitals is rated 5th , S .AFRICA 1st .

…..@ WUFAS AGR0NET, We don’t know more than ” Food “.

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SDGs
● No Poverty.
● Zero Hunger.
● Good Health Care.
● Gender Equality.
● Clean Water / Sanitation.
● Affordable Clean Energy.
● Decent Work / Economic Growth.
● Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure.
● Reduced Gender Inequality.
● Sustainable Cities and Communities.
● Responsible Consumption and Production.
● Climate Action.
● Life below water.
● Life on Land
● Peace , Justice / Strong Institutions.
● Partnership To Achieve Goals.

■ NO POVERTY
AS it were, Nigeria still remains the poverty Capital of the world with per Capital income of less than $2 per day, with 91million (@ Dec ’21 ) living below the poverty line. (The UN’s Scribe said the country’s population of over 150m has majority living on less than 370Naira per day quoting from Worldbank data) -July’22.

GLOBAL ECONOMY

Going by reports of international happenstances the global economy is seemingly melting down as confirmed by the spiralling out of control inflation, stagnation, recession and depression that is starring the faces of the hitherto vibrant , productive countries eg UK battling worst inflation figure in 40 years , US with all time high in 41yrs, Turkey and South Korea 24 years Russia 20years , Israeli 11yrs, S.Africa 13yrs , Ghana 19yrs, Nigeria 17yrs, Rwanda 14yrs and Botswana 14yrs inflation spike respectively. The highly technological and productive nations are not spared in the global economic lull.
According to reports Ghana ( Aug.’22 ) has the worst currency CEDI in the world dropped to all time low of 35% against US Dollars second only to Srilanka Rupee worst decline since March 29th 2019.

IN NIGERIA
Very high food prices, high energy costs especially diesel, kerosene, cooking gas and aviation fuel are catalyst for inflation. In the coming months inflation is likely to be more higher than this in attendance of scarce foreign exchange,reduced income from oil and insecurity in food producing communities. Worst hit are rural areas where 53% of inhabitants are extremely poor.
As at May 2022 , 33.3% or 23.2 million of the 70million strong labour force in Nigeria are unemployed. (ILO) under employment is 22.8%.

China and India were once in the poverty class their ability to redefine their status exited them from poverty to productivity .
Relevant “INDUSTRIAL COMPETENCE” is all that is needed.
China exited poverty through massive roads Construction and Industrial productivity (when Low and Medium – end or MSMSE industries flocked China from advanced Western countries and Japan to exploit China’s cheap labour cost. But China seized the opportunity to learn RELEVANT INDUSTRIAL COMPETENCE ).
While the “Incredible India” distinguished herself in ICT , Agriculture and Technological innovation producing technical equipment for the world. The term ” All bosses no India” had since changed to Indians’ personnel ruling most of the world’s corporate bodies in ICT, Manufacturing, Food etc .In a matter of time India will as China rule the world. In Nigeria, most of the big players in manufacturing are Indians. — The India’s Professional Forum.
Nigeria with about 7% productivity rate should demphasis the orthodox commercial Entrepreneurial stance for e-commerce and Technological productivity .
In Nigeria, 90% of technologies powering the economy are imported ‘ (NOTAP)– Nat’l Office for Technological Aquisation Promotions.
Nigeria recently changed her Ministry of S&T into Mins. Of Science and Innovation.
INNOVATION is a product of Research and Development (R&D). It goes further that with adequate funding of R&D , innovations and the subsequent Inventions will move Nigeria out of poverty. To fast track this, The CORE WORKING GROUP (CWG ) in the thematic area of Nutrition, Health, and Education must be reappraised especially in the area of Agroprenuerial (Post harvest) Empowerment in Food Processing Technology.
Agriculture takes about 55% labour force with about 22% output mostly subsistence farming. Nigeria is endowed with abundant landmass with fertile arable land that yields about 8 -11tonnes per hectare but Nigeria is ranked 158th out of 189 countries of the world in (HDI).- Human Development Index. (Quality population )
Aside agriculture , Nigeria is abundantly rich in crude petroleum which if properly managed could make her number one in the world.
Japan never had a drop of fossil fuels but are reference point in petrochemicals.

 CORRUPTION  -- ( Punch newspaper editorial 20th April 22   )
 With malfeasancfe on all fronts  Nigeria is  crumbling fast  in all fronts ,  the untamed  corruption will aid   country's meltdown. It's like the Nigeria  state has given up on anticorruption war regardless of rhetorics  to it's contrary its  tragic.

The elected and appointed public officials have stolen the country blind, ruined the economy rendered 55% of the youth jobless making Nigeria the poverty capital of the world. The various institutions for curbing the vices such as EFCC, ICPC, NIA(external intelligence gathering ) , DSS (Internal intelligence gathering ), CCB – Code of Conduct Bureau ( intelligence gathering on public officers ) , Police Special Fraud Unit, Nig. Financial Intelligence unit, Financial Reporting Council and the Courts — even with the WHISTLE BLOWERs all seems not enough to curbing the malaise..
In Singapore with only “Corrupt Practices investigation Bureau” , Lee Kuan Yew, within a span of 30years 1970 – 1990 transform Singapore from a lowly 3rd world nation to a competitive economic status. Singapore is ranked 4th least corrupt nation in the world after Denmark, Finland and New Zealand. China with only “National Supervision Commission” has since 2008 successfully oversee the government’s anti corruption drive where over 5000 official have been punished.
Recently, 2022 ( May) in Nigeria the Accountant General of the Federation was alleged to have swindled and laundered #80bn Naira. -imagine.
In a decade, Egypt raised electric power generation from 24000MW to 50000MW. to become Africa’s largest producer all within a decade, on the contrary in 2 decades $20bn was invested to raise power from 3000MW to 12000MW to date all Nigeria could raise is 4000MW for a population of 211million
The grinding poverty is compounded by high time corruption both in high and lower sector of the economy. The “Transparent International”– Nigeria ranked 154 out of 180 countries with 24% in ’21 (CPI) .
Indeed there has been no limit to absurdities in the clime.
However, the government of the day has zero limit posture for corruption.

SPIRITUALITY -- ( FORMAT  OF  OATHS)    

— To curb the endemic corruption, before taking up public office the “Format of Oaths ” as being presently taken is the faggot fueling corruption. ie ‘So Help me God’ this must be changed to a more compelling phrase such as ” SO GOD, JUDGE MY DECISIONS , God should kill if found being corrupt”” or Something evil should trail him or her etc . This might change the behaviours of Public office holders.
The Leadership influence should encourage DIGNITY of labour with matching remuneration to discourage corruption. However, the various anti corruption institutions eg EFCC, ICPC are given their utmost best to have a clean stable. It is hoped that very soon there will be light at the end of the tunnel.
●● Prosperity rests upon a moral foundation contrary to the supposedly on immoral foundation of trickery , sharp practices, deception, greed and lustrous such mindset is superficial thoughtless.

■ ZERO HUNGER.
To stem hunger, the Tripple “A” concept of Availability, Acceptability and Affordability of good quality food for all by 2030 must be ensured.

GLOBAL EFFECT
In April ’22 , the heads of World institutions represented by World Bank’s David Malpass , IMF MD – Kriistalina Georigieva , World Food Programme ED– David Beasley and World Trade Org. – DG Ngozi Okonjo Iwela. All met to ponder on Global Food Security as the world is plagued by multiple crisis such as Covid 19 pandemic, Ukraine vs Russia, Climate Change , Increased fragility Conflict and Insecurity possing persistent harm to people around the world. Causing sharply higher prices and supply shortage increasing pressure on household pushing many to poverty. The threat is highest for the poorest countries who are mostly import dependent the vulnerability is increasing rapidly in the middle income countries which host the majority of world poor. Slightest increase in food prices will increase millions into extreme poverty. . The inflation in food prices had caused increase cost of natural gas, nitrogen fertiliser as farmers heavily depend on ferlizer.
Currently in Nigeria , about 40% of the agricultural produce is lost annually due to Lack of On-the farm Processing, Inadequate storage facilities, Infrastructural deficit in rural areas eg good roads and bridges network, Lack of electricity for cooling eg Dairy products need ColdChain maintainance, Lack of adequate knowledge in Food Processing Technology amongst others. The aforementioned are compounded by Insecurity in different parts of the country such as Insurgency, Banditry, Gunmen, Kiddnappings, abduction, Herdsmen /farmers tension etc.
At the inception of the current administration of President Buhari , efforts were put in place to invest massively on agriculture such as the CBN’s NIRSAL, Anchor borrowers schemes for cereals ( Rice ) ,Legumes, and tree crops across the country all these are Yeilding the desired goal. Nigeria now produce about 57% of 6.7mmt rice crops needed However, farming activities are being hampered by various high end crimes.
Inflation as at August 2021 was about 20%.
In the urban metropolis, Foods are basically from imported sources eg Wheat , Vegetable oil, Poultry, Fisheries, Canned Tomatoes etc. In December 2021, the Central Bank of Nigeria claimed that Food import gulped about $1.4billion in eight months which suggests the likelihood of emerging famine. Different derivatives of wheat eg . Bread, Pasteries, Noodles , Pasta, Semolina have taken over local food varieties such as Rice, Maize, Cassava etc which are out of reach of many families.
With the robust government efforts in fighting the various crimes an end to insecurity and various other crimes farmers may soon be back to farms.

■ GOOD HEALTH CARE

— Primary Health Care.
— Traditional Herbalist.
— Mental Health.

 In  Nigeria 2022,   there  are about  33, 303 General Hospitals , 20,278 Primary Health Centres  and 59 Teaching Hospitals  for over 211million population. According to 2022 rating for African Countries  with best health care delivery system  by  Numbeo's  Healthcare  Index  ,  South Africa occupies number 1st , kenya 2nd, Tunisia 3rd , Algeria 4th  and  Nigeria 5th.  In Nigeria, especially in  rural areas  the hospital are in deplorable  , dilapidated state and breeding  bases for reptiles leading to  abandonment.

The World Health Organisation (WHO ) and United Nation Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have stressed the need to channel more funds towards the improvement of facilities at the various primary healthcare centres in the country. Towards this innovative digital health technology reforms and building a network of National Primary Health Care centres across the country to take health care delivery to the grassroots is being implemented. The law for mandatory health Insurance scheme in Nigeria, a critical sectoral reform to revolutionise funding is underway . New Primary Health Care ( PHCs ) design that would have staff quarters,assured water supply, solar powered aggregates with sound and complement of human resources for health centres , design had been sent to all states. With the advent of the Covid-19 variant -Omicron strong and resilient health remain the best line of defence to Pandemic and other health threats. While VACCINE remains the surest and the most cost effective measure to contain the Pandemic however, several interventions are being benefitted to check the spread. such as the construction of a total of 50 oxygen plants by the Federal government and Global Fund as well as importation of thousands of oxygen cylinders to make oxygen available for all care centres as well as setting up of the National Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System (NEMSAS ) an innovative care system that will ensure availability of medical emergency with phone call.
Various Health institutions such as the ” Primary Health Care ” are springing up since the inception of this administration of President Buhari but the albatross is the Incessant strike action from work by the Medics due to unpaid allowances and emoluments.
● Nigeria explored into herbs Processing by traditional herberlists through National Institute of Pharmaceutical R&D with Ministry of Science and Innovation and NAFDAC.
● The Ministry of Health maintains the standard of other health institutions by private sector investors.

● POOR MENTAL HEALTH OF NIGERIANS
The Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu raised alarm in January 2022 over the worsening situation of mental health in the state , quoting The Guardian news paper ” Nigerians in general and Lagosians in particular know for sure that most people are sitting on the edge of sanity , and that the line between sanity and the other side is very thin. It cannot be otherwise , giving the enormous pressure of living in the country , the poverty around , the frustration and the hopelessness in the land among other damning facts”. It is stated that one in four Lagosians struggles with clinically diagnosable mood disorders like anxiety or depression , the menace of substance abuse is on the rise and may likely become a national epidemic if failed to be addressed frontally.
A report of the assessment of the mental health system in Nigeria using the World Health Organization Assessment Instruments for Medical Health Systems ( WHO- AIM S , provided in its Executive Summary that ” There is considerable neglect of mental health issues in the country . The existing Mental Health policy document in Nigeria was formulated in 1991. It was the first policy addressing mental health issues and it’s components including advocacy promotion, prevention,treatment and rehabilitation. Since it’s formulation, no revision has taken place and no formal assessment of how much it has been implemented has been conducted. Though a list of essential medicine exists, they are not available at health centres. No desk exist in the ministries at any level for mentalhealth issues and only four per cent of government expenditures on health are earmarked for mental health.— The Guardian Editorial Feb 1st ’22.
Many Nigeria’s trained Medical doctors are Practicing their trades abroad for better values.

■ CLEAN WATER AND SANITATION.
Portable / Pipe Borne water supply in Nigeria’s urban metropolis reduced drastically from above 30% in 1990 to about 7% in 2015.
Provision of portable water supply to inhabitants in Nigeria is a complimentary shared constitutional responsibility of the three (3) tiers of government.
In terms of delivering water to the citizenry, the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Water Resources is responsible for policy advice and information. Data collection, monitoring & reporting and making special interventions. State Governments through their MDAs are directly responsible for Water to urban, Small towns and rural areas. While the Local Governments are responsible for the provision of portable water to rural communities in their areas of jurisdiction.
Most homes have factored in and included plans for Water Boreholes in their premises as the Municipal / public taps are not running even where they exist. Borehole water are seldom treated hence doesn’t conform to the World Health Organization standard in Physical, Chemical, Trace and Toxic Heavy metals and Microbiology.

SANITATION — ……..see sustainable Cities and Communities

■ AFFORDABLE CLEAN ENERGY.

Currently,    Nigeria tops  20 countries  with largest  access deficit    of 76% global population living  without electricity  or 570million  people  in 2020  ie  Nigeria  92million ,  DRC 72 million , Ethiopia 56million. 

• The Nigeria’s electricity supply suffered the 5th National grid collapse in the first half of the year 2022 . Availing only 2168 MW for the country of 211million population.
Egypt raised electricity power generation from 24000MW to 50000MW to become Africa’s largest producer within a decade . Whilst in 2 decades about $20 bn was spent to raise power from 3000MW to 12000MW in Nigeria but can transmit only 4000MW.
▪FG. is assiduously engaging a German firm of “Siemens” to build in 7000mw which hopefully will come on stream by July ’22.
Electric Power generation in Nigeria consists of various stakeholders in the value chain they are :
— The power Generating Companies – GENCOs.
— The Transmission Company – TCN.
— Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trading – NBET.
— The Distribution Conpanies – DISCOs
— Niger Delta Power Holding Company – NDPHC.
— NNPC etc.
There are about 25 active GenCOs on the grid, generating about 3700mw but the supply have been very erratic and often blackout due to constant collapse of the Power grid while the TCN manages the power grids and the DISCOs sell power to consumers.

POWER GENERATION
Gas useage is about 80% for power generation capacity in Nigeria which has the largest gas reserves in Africa but despite all efforts on gas infrastructural development and maintenance it remains insufficient while the infrastructural sabotage is compounding the situation.
World bank data on countries with most electricity outages in Africa in 2019 indicated that Nigeria suffered blackout or outages for 191 days of the 365 days in a year with estimated cost at about $28bn annually. Low pressure of the gas left several gas turbine with insufficient gas supply leading to plant shutdown and subsequent blackout. Unlike gas turbine power plant, gas engine are more flexible to function at low gas pressure events ie (low gas production risk) an advantage in gas supply disruption and systemic power shortages.

● HYDRO POWERED ELECTRICITY..
There are about three (3) notable Hydro electricity in Nigeria • kanji , • Jebba & • Shiroro Dams while Manbila had been on the drawing board of many governments since the advent of the current democratic dispensation.
Main stream Energy Solution Ltd (MESL) (Chairman Col. Bello rtd ) are the Operators of Kanji and Jebba hydropower plants.as at June ’22 , both Kanji and Jebba have a combine capacity of 1002 MW ( 520MW each ) generation. However, about $89million (37.2 trillion Naira ) investment is on going at Kanji plant to install two (2) turbines 1G-3 and 1G -4 generators to raise power by 220MW to 740MW from 520 MW . This project will come to completion in 44months.

●SOLAR SYSTEM —
In October 2021, the Vice President of Nigeria while at Imperial College stated that The Federal Government’s Economic Sustainability plan (ESP) has included plans to provide 5 million homes with cleaner energy through it’s decentralised Solar power programme of which estimated 25million would have access to Solar power by 2023 creating about 250,000 jobs.
Nigeria is located in the tropics with abundant sunshine of about 7 hours daily about 2555 hrs yearly .Tapping into renewable energy sources of solar is overdue in Nigeria. World bank estimated that over 80million people who currently lack electricity will benefit with right investment in solar power which proved to be best alternative to generating set. Although solar appliances are relatively costlier than generating set the cost however pales off when compared with cost of buying a new generating set, fuelling and servicing.
In Nigeria, the Federal Government issued Green bond issuance of 10.97billion Naira in December 2018 to finance Solar power. It further proposed yet another 15bn to finance various sectors in Agriculture, Power and Water resources before that year ran out.
Clean energy sources are Hydro power electricity, Windmill, Solar power etc. With Green bond issuance for adequate Green energy Nigeria will be able to counter the current epileptic power supply sourced from fossil fuels which is climate unfriendly.
● Hurry! !!!! , Nigeria is inching towards joining the league of Solar powered Electric Vehicles manufacturer through Zaria Academy Centre For Innovation and Renewable Energy. (ZACIRE ). Manufactured a Solar power EV in August 2021 and presented a Patent certificate by the vv Federal Government .

■ DECENT WORK / ECONOMIC GROWTH

DECENT WORK ENVIRONMENT – The on – going depression in Nigeria has eroded the opportunities for decent jobs especially for the teeming youthful population , this has initiated coherence in the implementation of Youth Empowerment policies and programmes on high priority areas with high potentials to create decent job such as in the thematic areas of Nutrition, Health and Education. The CORE WORKING GROUP ( CWG ) programmes must be reappraised and urgently too. This has drawn back Nigeria in Human Development Index (HDI ) in which Nigeria is rated 158th of the 189 countries of the world.
Decent Work Ethics in a country as diverse and pluralistic as Nigeria is hinged on integrity which stemmed from various fora such as Integrity at home, office, with friends / family and even in the religious circle. Good upbringing from home is vital. The catch word for Leadership is Influence a precursor of ‘ “INTEGRITY ” , personal influence can come from various sources either Legitimate or Questionable, many achieve influencial position without developing appropriate character to match their assignment. Leadership should encourage DIGNITY of labour with matching remuneration thereby upholding INTEGRITY in offices being occupied . This will discourage corruption privately or publicly. Most often in Africa, people use political or unethical means to acquire position but lack the Integrity needed to maintain the respect of such offices while most people occupying offices directly associate the size of their offices to their selfworth. The question of integrity is vital in decent working environment. However, Integrity in various fora such as Integrity at home, office, with friends and family is very important in promoting decent work that will boost morale in offices.

●GDP. — ECONOMIC GROWTH .
Nigeria remains Africa ‘s biggest economy @ July ’22 with $517.5bn ahead of Egypt$435.521bn , South Africa’s $425.166bn, Algeria $192.601bn, Morocco $133.062bn, Ghana $73.89bn . However, the Flagship of Nigeria’s economic policy ERGP – Economic Recovery Growth Plan which had — Manufacturing as key warranting economic diversification through targeted investment in key priority sector such as agroprocessing. ….. had been changed to “Five years Development Plan ” With Infrastructural development as the cardinal.

SECTORAL CONTRIBUTION TO GDP- Q2 2021.
● Non-Oil Sector – 92.58%.
● Agriculture sector – 23.79%.
● ICT sector – 17.92%
● Trade sector – 16.66%
● Manufacturing sector 8.69%.
● Oil Sector – 7.42%.

GOVERNMENT REVENUE
There are are various ways by which government of the Federation generate revenue . Such ways could be grouped into two:
— FEDERATION ACCOUNT.
— CONSOLIDATED REVENUE ACCOUNT.

☆ SOURCES OF REVENUE PAYABLE TO THE FEDERATION ACCOUNTS.
— Direct Taxes : These are taxes from individuals and enterprises . Examples are company income tax, Petroleum profit tax,Personal income tax of foreigners, Capital gain tax etc.
— Indirect Taxes : These are taxes on goods and services. Example are : Customs and Exercise duties, VAT etc.
—- Mining : These are licensing fees of Oil pipeline, mining fees, royalties, Rent on oil well. Amongst others.

• Nigeria’s external debt profile stood at $39.43 bn @ 14 July 2022.
Importer & Exporter window $1 =430Naira.
Parallel mkt $1= 710 Naira. ( July ’22 ).
From DMO’s office (20 Dec ’21 ) The entire loan from China was $3.59bn (9.4%) of total foreign debt.

● The Nigeria’s budget has been precariously predicated on the vicissitudes of export earnings of the crude oil about 60%. Which sold for $20 pb at the pick of COVID 19 in 2020.
Nigeria needs 2.557 trillion Naira for fuelsubsidy in 6 month. However, 443billion Naira was approved for subsidy from January to July 2022.
As at March ’22 Crude oil sales stood at $130p/b

● The country should raise the non-Oil revenue up to escape from further debt trap.

● The Customs and Excise could improve it’s funding and shortened the clearance time by purchasing a functional Scanner that will eliminate the cumbersome process in cargo clearance and substantial loss in quality manhours .this will safecost. A Newspaper ‘The Guardian’ 30th Aug ’21 quoted that about 96trillion Naira is lost annually on manual clearance. In 2022, the Customs introduced vehicles scanning/ verification equipment .
● June 2022, the Federal Government of Nigeria conceded the operations of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS ) to a Chinese company, HUAWEI Technologies,in bid to facilitate what it described as “e Customs Project” making it to become fully digitalised. The concession is reportedly expected to attract an investment of about $3.2billion with an estimated income of $176billion to be generated for the Federal Government within 20 years. The project is to be financed by the African Finance Corporation (AFC). and managed by Huawei Technologies Ltd. Under a 20 years concession window, this will quadruple the Customs 210 billion Naira monthly revenue collection making a projected $175 bn within the next 20years. However, opinions are diverse on the decisions as unguardedly exposing classified informations about the country’s boarders in a foreign government’s disposal.
• Smuggling across Nigeria’s border is a thriving business in connivance with the border communities since they see it as a means of survival having been neglected by the government in provision of essential needs such as portable water, Electricity, Telecoms, Health care systems and lot more. Nigeria’s borders are very porous.

● VAT – The contributory factors to the economy GDP is increasingly dwindling by the day as some states are diverting it to their IGR eg Lagos State contributes 55% ,Rivers state 6%, Kano 5% etc to the general pool.

●● ICT — The President, Muhammed Buhari officially launched the 5G spectrum into National policy on 25th January’22. Setting the pace for Nigeria in sub Sahara Africa. Imploring the security agencies to leverage on the technology and maximise the advantages and progenies .
NIGERIA recently included Digital Economy to the Ministry of Communication to become Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy. Allocation of the of the spectrum had commenced .
IT sector was the fastest growing in 2020. and provided more effective and efficient development in various sectors of the economy. Presently Nigeria is assiduously working towards Digital Economy. The likes of the advance world have their economy being driven by Digital platform model technology in areas of pre and post harvest Agricultural activities and other endeavours.
In China, e- commerce is driving industrial development ,expanding local employment and empowering rural residents. With strong policies to support e- commerce rural farmer and technological transfer to build more resilience and sustainable food system.The role of e- commerce during the Pandemic was significant worldwide.
Nigeria runs a mono economy of Crude oil which is no longer attractive in the global market. Digital economy added is to enable digitalisation of the economy ,create employment for the youths and better life for the people. The progenies of Digital technology are vast in various areas of applications.
The teledensity in Nigeria is about the highest in Africa but despite we are merely consumers importing over 90% of ICT products. India makes in excess of $40billion annually in ICT. The world is in information age Nigeria had deployed various (Generational ” G” ) 2G, 3G, 4G , with 5G spectrum being deployed. 5G advancement with transmission at far higher frequency range than 4G. The features implies far greater quantum of energy (signal ) per time hence heavy data eg faster download and transmission at far higher resolution. — Simply 5G will be able to accommodate lager data than 4G. The benefits will transform the world by connecting every thing with everybody creating millions of jobs adding billions of dollars $ to the GDP earnings. It will solve insecurity and improve governance and efficiency in the society providing platform for new and emerging technologies such as Internet of things IoTs, Big Data etc.
5G is the next step in the evolution of mankind that will enable all sort of communication capabilities including the interstellar / extraterrestrial stuff communication a possibility powering space Technology from information age to space again.. And many more.
● THE Oil SECTOR
The Global energy transition is accelerating at greater pace compelling very soon the abandonment of Nigeria’s crude oil to probably local consumption of the Sub Sahara Africa States and other African countries market where the “Going Green” fever is yet to be really defined few Countries buying the Nigeria’s crude led by India (IOC) India Oil corporation are investing aggressively in “Green ” while others such as Spain, Netherlands and France are strictly following the time table of EU on Green Energy transition by 2050. Todate, the Facility for Oil Sector Transformation – FOSTER in Nigeria is yet to come up with any tangible agenda on strategic plan with the deadlines to stop the Co2 emissions. On 19th July ,2022, the President of Nigeria Mohammed Buhari unveiled the transition of NNPC into a private entity that would be regulated in line with the provision of the Companies and allied matters act CAMA . With the new structure, NNPC Ltd would be no longer required to remit funds money into the Federation account for sharing by the 3 tiers of government monthly . The President said the entity was hence forth free from institutional regulations.

■ INDUSTRY, INNOVATION AND INFRASTRUCTURES.

● INDUSTRY —
Nigeria is import dependent on most industrial raw materials and consumables. It’s stunning to note that about 3.4 trillion Naira was spent on the importation of the above in the first 9months of 2021.
Orientation of most entrepreneurs in Nigeria is the orthodox Commercial rather than e-Commerce and Technological.
Contrary to Germany, China, USA and Japan which are being technologically driven. The role of the state in Industrialisation in the mentioned countries is direct. Worldover, big time entrepreneurs such as Dangote, are powered by the ability to produce items such as : Sugar, Cement, Flour etc . As Nigeria is moving towards INNOVATION adequate resources must be allocated to the sector of economy that will be building machineries for production expansion that will increase capacity of the economy in Agriculture, Manufacturing, Construction etc.
Low Productivity is the bane since the 80s however, with the Presidential Economic Diversification Initiatives (PEDI) launched by the office of the Vice President of Nigeria for revival of moribund industries, while the MSMSE the engine room of the nation’s economy be assisted and encouraged. With this in place there is hope for industrialisation.
NOTAP – National Office For Technological Aquisation Promotion. — 90% of technologies currently powering the Nigeria economy are imported.(DG ) the government of the day frowned at this development and asked to develop indigenous technologies to stem the tide and save the nation’s scarce foreign exchange as the world has moved from resources to knowledge based economy. NOTAP is the regulatory body for registration and monitoring of technological transfer agreement . It’s various initiatives and policies such as the local vendor policy NOTAP– Industrial Technology Transfer Fellowship (NITTIF) and upgrade of Chemical Labs in institution of higher learning / Research institutions . Nigeria must embark on manufacture of machines and equipment.

AN INDUSTRIALIST – BUA GROUP CHAIRMAN APPLAUDED PRESIDENT BUHARI’S ADMINISTRATION.
Alhaji Abudulsamed Rabiu acknowledged and Applauded the FG for creating enabling environment that secure a better Nigeria for investment. The group’s products include Sugar, Cement, Flour and pasta amongst others.

• HISTORY OF IRON AND STEEL
– Under the Raw Materials Research & Development Council. (RMRDC). Iron and Steel is very vital in the manufacture of machinery needed for production.
Nigeria is blessed with enormous raw materials needed for production of Iron and Steel but prefer importation of same. Planning for steel sector started in 1958 but failed to develop even after over $7billion expended.
The National Steel Development Authority established during the 1970 -74 National Development plan. Further to this, in 1979 the government promulgated decree Nos. 60 of 18th September 1979 which unbundled NSDA and establishment of the Ajaokuta Steel Company, Delta Steel company, Jos Steel rolling company, Oshogbo Steel rolling company, National iron ore mining company , National Steel Raw materials Exploration Agency. National Metallurgical Development center and Metallurgical Training institute.
The National Bureau of Statics Nigeria (NBS ) reported that Iron & Steel and other metals worth 837.76 billion Naira was imported in the 3rd & 4th quarters of 2021
● — INNOVATION
The economy should be innovative driven – The Federal government of Nigeria changed the Ministry of Science and technology to “Science and Innovation” recently.
R&D / Innovation and invention. had suffered setback in Nigeria due to Inadequate funding .
In Nigeria, there are over 150 Reserch institutions which constitute the National Research and Innovation Council NRIC a very high economic portal for growth and development but all are grossly under funded due to lack of extant law to uphold the establishment like the National Science and technology decree number 20 of1987. The world is in the 4th realm of economic order while Africa is still grappling with the old order of doing business – Analogue . New technologies are opening up daily into the digital age of Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Internet of things IoTs , Mechatronics, Big Data, Mobile Development, SEO / SEM Marketing, UI / LIFE design , Cloud computing, Machine learning etc.
Nigeria is not bereft of world class Research Fellows but most of them are being hijacked by the Innovation hungry and more serious developed nations exploiting their smartness with enticing budget / grant almost equaling some state’s budget in Nigeria in ITC, Medics, Engineering etc. A Nigerian headed the Pfizer COVID 19 Pandemic VACCINE in the USA.
Nigeria is the highest producer of Yam in the entire world 61.7% but with cutlass and hoes. — Imagine.
R&D-INNOVATION could be very expensive but the return could be stunning. In National development.
Despite the criticism and the idiosyncrasies against the standard of education in Nigeria,
In the Lagos State Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives in conjunction with the “Technological Incubation Centre ” Exhibition held November 2019 Many innovations were exhibited such as : Solar powered Tricycles, Drones for agricultural surveylance, Earth battery (sand and a chloride solution ), Solar grains blower for cereals, Corn shelling and roasting machine, Metal recycling machine, by the Secondary school students and the Lagos State Polytechnics exhibited a Civilian Aircraft for Agricultural surveylance, Seaplane (with flight simulator and drones). A retrospective look had shown that our secondary schools are developing technologically, the stage is now set more than ever for investors to intervene and encourage patenting the various innovations . Technological innovation may not be the Rocket science stuff but such adaptable to our locality.

● INFRASTRUCTURAL —
Several decades of infrastructural rot , neglect and poor or zero maintenance culture coupled with the rustled up management prescription had left public infrastructure including roads and bridges networks, railways , electricity, and other utilities in total ruins.
Year in , year out, annual budgets in trillions of Naira are made with the focus on building of new infrastructure with little or no provision for maintenance budget.
The fundermental to any economic block is the presence of critical infrastructure to drive trade , power businesses, connect workers and protect communities from avoidable disaster. Nigeria is faced with Infrastructural challenges making it difficult to be ccompetitive and productive in the scale of growth and development.
The backbone of development in any Nation include it’s physical infrastructures such as Roads and bridges network, Water ways, Railways, Airports, Electricity , Inland rivers ports, Dry Ports etc ,

GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION ON ROADS.
There are four major departments for roadworks
— Federal Ministry of Works and Housing.
— Multi Lateral Funded projects.
— Presidential Infrastructural Development Fund (PID) Sovereign Fund.
— SUKUK — Presidential Interventions.
● ELECTRICITY – Access to cooling .
ColdChain maintainancence is very important .The frequent collapse of National Electricity transmission systems ( Powergrid ) has left the nation with unattainable sufficiency ( @ June ’22 , Power out put had reduced to 2168mw from 4000mw. After the 5th national grid collapse within months.) in electricity utilisation with resultant effect of spoilage of edibles due to lack of effective cooling occasioning risk to lives of infants and adults as well. Vast majority of the population is affected by the increase in unavailability of ColdChain temperature controlled supply chain and distribution activities at a desired low temperature range for preservation and prolonged shelve life of products. The rural poor and urban poor in slums ( driven by rapid urbanisation from rural areas ). Cooling is no longer a luxury it ensures workers are productive in offices and family nutritions.
All these will help to open up the economy and make the ease of doing business less cumbersome. Infrastructural deficit was the bane of Nigeria before the advent of President BUHARI’S administration. But the administration had changed the narratives in infrastructural development eg Good Roads and bridges network, Standard Railways gauges from Lagos to Ibadam and Porthacourt to Maiduguri with modern stations , Renovation of Airports and Seaports, various Free Trade Zones etc. It is note worthy that the ECOWAS states recognised President BUHARI’S efforts in this direction recently.

■ REDUCED GENDER INEQUALITY.
In the gender affirmative action, Rwanda had set the pace in Africa With inclusion of 61.1% female in the parliament and this is global highest. .
In Nigeria, 35% gender affirmative action inclusion of women in governance was affirmed by Federal High Court .

Nigeria has been integrating and mainstreaming females into all facets of socio- economic space by electing 22 or 6.1% female into the House of Representatives out of 360 members. Some women are in Chairmanship position in the Local Governments Areas. While female Deputy Governors had severally emerged . Female Ministers in Federal cabinet are increasing . In the economy females are being encouraged to take up Empowerment programmes to build capacity. The Nigeria’s ambassador to United States of America is a female Dr. Mrs. Uzoma Emenike (January ’22 ).
Gender mainstreaming to empower women and girls , the FG. is focusing on comprehensive gender mainstreaming across fiscal policy and public financial management aimed at improving the safety livelihoods and economic status of women and girls , the economic and social empowerment of women girls is critical to the collective vision of prosperous and resilient Nigeria.it is therefore imperative to prioritise the advancement of women in all spheres of society and specifically in areas relating their socioecomic empowerment.
Providing women and girls with equal access to education healthcare decent work and representation in political and economic decision making process will fuel sustainable economics and benefits societies and humanities at large in nations to adopt unique strategies to combat the challenges. In Africa , the challenge of gender parity on the continent could take at least a century.
Tackling the challenges head-on to meet UN’s standard by 2030 would require the collective strategic and relentless effort of government, public and private Organizations and individuals.

■ SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND COMMUNITIES.

• Eradication of Open Defecation.
• Refuse Disposal.
• Portable Water.
• Electricity.
• Health Care system.

In building sustainable and livable Cities  world over,   the followings are the various  factors that contributes   viz:

Environmental waste disposal, Eradication of Open Defecation, Good road and bridges network, Clean water, Electricity, Telecoms, Health care systems. etc.
● In Open Defecation Nigeria ranked 2nd amongst countries Practicing Open Defecation globally. ( Water Sanitation and Hygiene National Occorrence Mapping WASH NORM SURVEY 2018).
OD has economic, social, security and health impact on National development. .
President Buhari in November 2018 launched National Campaign towards Nigeria becoming Open Defecation Free Nation by 2025 .
● Efficient waste management impacts on public heallth sector , Economy and Social wellbeing of the populace. Collected and treated waste by municipalities are from households, Commercial sites, trade premises, office buildings, institutions and small businesses. For effective disposal and recycling purposes the waste should be separated into Organic and inorganic matters. In Nigeria waste management and disposal are done in urban areas while recycling is less than 1%.

■ RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION.

• UNODC
• NDLEA
• DARK WEB.

About 14.6% of the population are involved in drug use and abuse in Nigeria.
The THEME of the year 2021 International day (24 June ) of Drugs Abuse / illicit trafficking “SHARE FACTS ON DRUGS SAVE LIVES “
The comsption of Drugs is fast becoming prevalent amongst the adults and Youths. Drugs abuse has been identified to have diverse destructive effect on safety and progress of the society and the economy of the country. Apart from its negative social effect such as violent crimes, disruption of the family , child abuse and neglect as well as unemployment it is associated with others such as Gang formation, Cultism, Armed robbery, Rape and other social vices and disturbances. The disturbances of Drugs must be highlighted amongst the civil society of the disturbing trends of Drugs Abuse and the dangers it protends for the youths.
Comsption of illicit drugs by the youths and adults must be sanctioned by the law enforcement agencies.
NDLEA
( National Drugs and Law Enforcement Agency ) are to curb drugs and alcohol abuse and consumption .
The NDLEA Chairman Brigadeier General Marwa(rtd) claimed that it is a notorious fact that substance abuse is a national problem increasing number of women taking cough syrup that contains Codeine. Daily Trust newspaper publication revealed how Benylin, Emzolin and Asad as well as Rohypnol and Tramadol tablets were destroying families in the region. According to a Senator Baba kaka Bashir Garbai , he led 37 colleague members (in Oct 2017 ) to move a motion on increasing abuse of cough and prescriptive drugs amongst the youths and women across the 19 northern states. He said young girls in tertiary institutions have taken to an alarming abuse of Codeine cough syrup mixed with soft drinks.
As the saying goes “Enlightenment without enforcement is mere entertainment ” there should be public Enlightenment and awareness campaign.
— Youth unemployment must be tackled.
— Interdiction of the traffickers
— Eradication of dealers and the destruction of the farmlands.
The UNODC (UN OFFICE OF DRUGS CRIMES ).reported that around 275million people used Drugs worldwide in 2020 while over 36million suffered effects of drug disorders. However, the perception of drug use risk has been linked to higher rates of drug use, it was highlighted by UNODC the need to close the gap between perception and reality to educate young people and safeguard public heallth. Emphasising the evidence base and raising public awareness to sensitise International community, Government, Civil society, Family and Youths for informed decision, better target effect to prevent, treat drug use and tackle drug challenges. Rise in drugs useage during the Pandemic rose across 77 countries with a rise in non- medical use of Pharmaceuticals eg Tramadol. Africa is projected to have market increase in Drugs to about 40%due to the rapid population of the youths.
DARK WEB – Drugs market on Web is increasing via rapid technological innovation combined with agility and adaptations of those using new platforms for drug sales are on the increase ushering in globalised accessibility.
The impact of COVID 19 Pandemic on Drug challenges suggests the increase economic downturn /hardship most likely make illicit drugs cultivation more appealing to fragile communities while social impact will drive Inequality, poverty and mental health conditions amongst the vulnerable population.
Drug awareness and prevention must be taken to schools .

■ CLIMATE ACTION.
• Causes of Climate change – Desertification , Gas flaring, Ranching, GreenHouse effects etc.

• Mitigation – Green bond Projects.
• Tree Planting in millions.
• Water Conservation.

The prediction that the world would come to an end by some religious books might not be unconnected with the foretold that at the end of time knowledge will increase which is what is manifesting now when mankind had been evolving from one evolution to another eg from Stone age to Slave trade to Industrial age (Analogue ) now to Information age (Digital ) even at that mankind is currently heading towards the Space age. Every time taken from mother nature without replenishment, rather we cut down trees in illegal logging. discharging industrial waste in our waters , throwing non biodegradable materials eg Plastics in bodies of water. The Greenhou