TheCable

The federal government in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has launched Imagine Nigeria, a report that explores pathways to further the country’s development.

This initiative provides a glimpse into Nigeria’s future in the ensuing decades. The report explores the challenges and opportunities as well as alternative scenarios for the future and proposes a series of recommendations to shape a sustainable and prosperous future for all.

Over 300 Nigerians and those in the diaspora were said to have participated in the independent consultative reviews of progress and exploration of ideas captured in the report.

The report presents a societal approach to “transforming Nigeria’s trajectory, where no one is left behind. It provides a licence for a collective rethink for Nigeria, informed by the past and, most importantly, grounded on the premise of the unexplored economic alternatives, the demographic dividend and the unmatched talent of its people”.

Speaking at the launch which was held virtually on Wednesday, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo said Imagine Nigeria is a “bold, unblinkered, exploration of the great possibilities” for the country. 

He said the initiative provides a template to imagine a Nigeria freed of its past and current challenges and able to engage the future with the best possible tools in human and material capital.

“Ultimate objective was to answer the question of what it would take to transform Nigeria. It is a process of reflection and discussion by all Nigerians especially young Nigerians on what the future of our country should look like,” he said. 

“Imagine Nigeria hopes to stimulate interest and attention around issues of innovation, green economy, trust, leadership and framing a more positive national narrative.”

Also speaking, Mohamed Yahya, UNDP resident representative, said the report offers a roadmap in which Nigeria can partner other African countries to enable the continent “take its well-deserved” seat in global affairs. 

“Imagine Nigeria is about creating a shift for a new African agenda and development narrative. It calls on Nigeria to facilitate new forms of collaboration for the country and Africa so that the continent can take its well-deserved seat in the global arena while also providing a basis for the country’s transformation,” he said.

“A key recommendation from the series of conversations so far is the urgent need for structural transformation, economic diversification, and wealth creation, catalysed by the green economy. It is not just about going green, it is about global leadership and how Nigeria can help lead the world in a new direction. It is about building a new economy and forging new realities in which Nigeria is a global leader and the destination for investors working to solve African and global challenges.” 

Clem Agba, minister of state for budget and national planning, described the propositions presented in the report as “unique”.

“They are borne out of discussions with a wide spectrum of Nigerians at home and in the diaspora. The research and technical team led by eminent people ensured that diverse ideas and perspectives of Nigerians in the context of the country’s shifting development outlook and emerging global trends form a baseline for continued conversations about how Nigeria can re-emerge from the current challenges and thrive,” he said.

“The task before us is to collectively create our desired future, with everyone leading and contributing from their respective corners towards the transformation of our great nation.”

The key recommendations in the report are five pillars of intervention, which include building a culture of innovation, catalysing the green economy, leading Africa, building trust, and articulating a national narrative that Nigerians should prioritise.