Outlines of a 10-year Strategic Plan for Nigeria: Leaves from the Singaporean Example

Nigeria, the giant of Africa, has long been known for its young and talented population, vast natural resources, cultural diversity, and entrepreneurial spirit. However, despite its potentials, the country has struggled to translate its strength into sustainable growth and development. Since 1960, Nigeria has faced numerous challenges, including political instability, corruption, poverty, and inadequate infrastructure. These factors have hindered progress and prevented Nigeria from rising to her true potential [4].

The newly elected Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led government would be sworn in in a few days, representing an important juncture in Nigeria’s collective history and a watershed moment in her development. As Nigeria seeks to chart a course toward a brighter future, it is important to prioritize strategic planning, and there is no better example to draw inspiration from than Singapore. From a small island nation with limited natural resources and lower growth potential than Nigeria in 1960, Singapore has transformed itself into a global economic powerhouse, with one of the highest standards of living in the world through a combination of strategic planning and effective implementation. [5]. Taking a leaf from the Singaporean example, Sydani presents a blueprint for a 10-year strategic plan that can transform Nigeria into a first-world nation.

By drawing lessons from Singapore’s journey to success, which prioritized strategic investment in four key areas, namely, education, economic development, politics, and governance, and population growth, the plan would adopt a coordinated and collaborative approach that involves key stakeholders in the country, such as the private sector, Civil Society Organizations, Media, Development Partners, International Organizations, and Religious and Traditional Leaders [6].

In the subsequent paragraphs, a high-level breakdown of the plan would be presented across these four key areas to unveil the path to creating an enabling environment for growth that can drive Nigeria toward a future of prosperity and sustained development.

1. Investment in Education: It has been said over time that education is the cornerstone for both national and international development. While Nigeria has made significant progress in increasing access to education, the quality of education remains low. The education system has long been plagued by issues such as inadequate infrastructure, poorly trained teachers, and low enrollment rates [7]. To address these challenges, we propose a series of reforms, including the expansion of access to quality education, the improvement of teacher training, and the establishment of centres of excellence in key fields such as science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), and promoting research and development. These reforms will not only improve education outcomes but also help Nigeria to develop a skilled workforce that is essential for economic growth and development.
2. Sustained Economic Development: Another area of focus is the economy. Nigeria’s economy has long been heavily reliant on the oil and gas sector, which has been subject to volatility and fluctuation in global oil prices [8]. To diversify the economy and create new sources of growth and development, we propose the expansion of the manufacturing sector, the promotion of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and increased investment in new industries such as technology and innovation. By creating a more diversified and robust economy, Nigeria can better withstand external shocks and achieve sustained economic growth [9].
3. Political Stability and Good Governance: Political stability is a crucial aspect of nation-building. Thus, the incoming government must prioritize the rule of law, justice, and good governance, recognizing that these factors are essential for sustainable development. To achieve this, we propose a series of reforms, including the strengthening of democratic institutions, the promotion of transparency and accountability for public officials, and a relentless fight against corruption. These reforms will not only improve Nigeria’s standing on the global stage but also help to create a more stable and prosperous society for all Nigerians.
4. Population Growth and Management: Finally, with Nigeria’s population projected to reach a staggering 400 million by 2050, doubling the current estimate, the nation faces a daunting demographic challenge. This exponential growth poses a potential nightmare for a country already grappling with numerous development hurdles, ranging from acute poverty to governance and political instability. [10]. Thus, we propose a series of measures, including the promotion of family planning, the improvement of maternal and child health, the expansion of access to quality healthcare, and investment in youth development. By addressing population growth and management, Nigeria can ensure that its population becomes a source of strength and not a burden on the economy.