FIRST IBADAN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT SUMMIT (ISDS)

25 NOVEMEBER, 2010

Background

Nation building is a continuous process. A combination of factors determines potential achievements. Regardless of the level of success achieved, the challenges of sustainability raise fundamental issues in the development process. Nigeria has existed as an entity since 1914 and became a sovereign state in 1960. Fifty years hence, Nigeria's development has been a subject of continuous debate.

Presently, Nigeria is rated among the 25 poorest countries in the world in spite of her rich natural and human resources. This paradox poses some pertinent questions. Why has Nigeria been generally ineffectual in utilising her resources to improve the welfare and development of her citizenry? Why has Nigeria lagged behind countries like Malaysia, Indonesia, China and Singapore who were at the same level of development with her five decades ago? Nigeria has never been lacking in ideas and policies, with several national development plans and visions. In fact, the present administration is championing a strategy that will make Nigeria one of the top 20 economies in the world by the year 2020.

In reflecting on Nigeria's last 50 years of nationhood, it is necessary to use past experiences to effect better policy decisions for the future. In doing this, the University of Ibadan will over the coming years organize annual sustainable development summits to address various aspects of our national development with the view to influencing informed policy decisions in governance. The University of Ibadan has succinctly demonstrated its determination to achieve these objectives by establishing the Centre for Sustainable Development (CESDEV) (http://cesdev.ui.edu.ng or http://cesdevui.com).