Poor access to electricity, unemployment drag Nigeria’s Agenda 2063 performance
Nigeria’s Agenda
With an overall score of 13 per cent in the African Union’s Agenda 2063 that seeks to transform Africa into the global powerhouse of the future, Nigeria’s performance remains uninspiring, dragged by rising unemployment rates, poor electricity generation and distribution as well as low per capita income and GDP growth rates.
The January 2013 African Union Summit had adopted Agenda 2063 – “The Africa We Want” – as Africa’s blueprint and master plan for sustainable development and economic growth of the continent. It is an affirmation by African Heads of State and Government of their commitment to transforming Africa into the global powerhouse.
To fast-track implementation of Agenda 2063 over the 50-year period, the First Ten-Year Implementation Plan spanning from 2014 to 2023 was developed and subsequently endorsed at the June 2015 Summit of the African Union.
It was under the ten-year implementation plan that the performance of member-countries was assessed.
According to the report, the AU achieved an aggregate score of 32% against the 2019 targets.
At aspiration level, the continent registered a good performance on Aspiration 4 “A peaceful and secure Africa” (48%), with most Member States reporting the existence of functional national peace mechanisms, in addition to the continental-level Africa Peace and Security Architecture.
Similarly, relatively good progress was made on Aspiration 2 towards achieving “An integrated continent, politically united that is based on the ideals of Pan-Africanism and the vision of an African Renaissance”, with a score of 44%. This was achieved, according to the report, through the collective and concerted efforts of Member States on operationalising the African Continental Free Trade Area, amongst others.
Aspiration 6 “An Africa whose development is people-driven, relying on the potential of the African people, especially its women and youth, and caring for children” recorded a relatively strong performance of 38%. This was attributed, amongst others, to the implementation of the provisions of the African Charter on the Rights of the Youth which realised 77% of the 2019 target.
The continent saw a weak performance under Aspiration1 “A prosperous Africa based on inclusive growth and sustainable development”, with an aggregate score of 29%. Even though a strong performance was achieved for Goal “A high standard of living, quality of life and wellbeing for all” – attributed to the exponential growth in the percentage of the population with access to the internet.
Furthermore, low scores were recorded on matters pertaining to good governance, democracy, respect for human rights and the rule of law – related to Aspiration 3 with an aggregate score of 16%. This was mainly due to high levels of corruption in delivering public services; weak mechanisms and institutions of holding leaders accountable; and low freedom of the press.
The continent saw a very weak performance on Aspiration 5 “An Africa with a strong cultural identity, common heritage, values and beliefs”, with the continental score standing at 12% against the 2019 target. This was largely due to the weak integration of indigenous African culture, values, and language into primary and secondary schools’ curricula.
At the regional level, East Africa recorded the highest performance in five out of the seven aspirations in Agenda 2063 First Ten Year Implementation Plan with an aggregate score of 40% against the 2019 targets.
The aggregate performance of West Africa stood at 34%, while the aggregate performance of North Africa stood at 27%. Southern and Central Africa both recorded an aggregate score of 25% against the 2019 targets.
Related
Get the latest news delivered straight to your inbox every day of the week. Stay informed with the Guardian’s leading coverage of Nigerian and world news, business, technology and sports.
0 Comments
We will review and take appropriate action.