Nigerian-born academic, former Provost of the Medgar Evers College, the City University of New York Dr. Augustine Okereke has been speaking on the enduring challenges facing African countries that threaten sustainable development in the continent.
Addressing the inaugural Annual Ibadan International Social Science Conference at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, Dr. Okereke outlined several factors that hinder development such as corruption, weak governance and regulatory structures among other issues.
In the words of Dr. Okereke, “a deeply rooted culture of corruption is based on the belief that without bribes, public officials do not serve citizens. This belief is so ingrained, and progress in the fight against corruption has been so slow that the public has grown cynical and even apathetic towards these efforts. implementation.”
He cited several national treasures in Nigeria, Africa’s largest democracy that collapsed over the years such as the Peugeot Assembly of Nigeria (PAN), Anambra Motor Manufacturing Corporation ANAMCO, and other decaying infrastructure notably roads and the power sector to emphasize the adverse effects of corruption and policy somersaults in the continent.
After an extensive review of the progress of the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, Okereke concluded that corruption, generous tax incentives, and accessibility of tax havens outside Nigeria were major barriers to the attainment of sustainable development.
It was not all gloomy pictures for the keynote speakers. On a brighter side, Okereke told his audience of about 200 policy makers, scholars, students, and journalists that the movie and music industries were notable sectors of success in Nigeria.
While African countries face ridiculously huge challenges in meeting sustainability in every sector, without serious reforms and reordering of their policy priorities, the continent African nations will continue to fail into poverty, underemployment, and injustice.
