Our Youths Are Not Lazy: Depreciating Unemployment through Sustainable Development Policies in Nigeria

Abstract

Despite the global adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Nigeria has made little progress when compared to other countries. Specifically, Nigeria has done little in terms of socioeconomic and political development. This is evident with the low school enrollment of children and the surge of poverty. Many have argued that Nigeria’s low scorecard on development is motivated by incessant conflict and recently, by the tragedy of COVID-19. However, the problem is more the nature of policies enacted and applied. To attain the SDGs-2030, Nigeria needs to review its developmental agenda and policies and adopt progressive practices that is youth-centered. This study examines the existing policies and practices in eradicating poverty and attaining quality education in Nigeria, and the innovative policies and practices that could eradicate poverty and improve quality education in Nigeria. The study adopted secondary sources for data collection, used qualitative research technique for data analysis, and applied structural functionalist theory for smooth interrogation of variables of interest in the disquisition. It was discovered that although the existing policies possesses some sought of benefits to an extent, little impact of the existing policies has been felt in the Nigerian economy due to lack of continuity, accountability and transparency, nepotism, corruption, inadequate funding, selfishness, inefficiency, and bad leadership. However, there is a need for the government to improve the nation’s infrastructure, reduce corruption and deploy strategies that will improve the nation’s foreign exchange. This, if done will improve the nation’s human capital base and position it for sustainable development.