Elements

Of
Development

Edited by
Olusegun Obasanjo
and
Akin Mabogunje

 Africa Leadership Forum 1991

ISBN 978 31191 9 2

Printed by C & A Prints (Nigeria) Ltd.,

4, Ilupeju Bypass, Lagos
Published by ALF Publications
P. O Box 2286 Abeokuta
Ogun State, Nigeria.

Farm House Dialogue Principles and Guidelines

The Dialogue is not a political gathering nor is it a gathering convened to
chastise and condemn any individual or group.
It is basically a brainstorming event. Everyone is at liberty to freely express
their opinions.
It is a concerned attempt to search for solutions to national problems through
discussion.
It does not seek to delve into the history of who brought about what
particular predicament of the nation, although a knowledge of how the
nation got to a specific impasse or difficult situation might provide useful
lessons for the future.
Instead, the Dialogue is an attempt to engage in proper analysis of national
problems and arrive, through discussions and dialogues, at practical
suggestions and recommendations that may help in resolving all or part of
these problems.
In consequence, the Dialogue places great emphasis on the selection of
individuals to participate in the discussion, noting the importance of always
inviting personalities who have knowledge and insights into the particular
national issues being discussed and who can thus make substantial
contributions.
It is aimed not always at reaching consensus but to provide an opportunity
for recording honest disagreements on vital national issues.
The essence of the discussions and the main conclusions reached at each
Dialogue is captured in a publication, which is distributed afterwards to the
public.

Table of Contents
Page
The Principles and Guidelines of the Farm House Dialogues
Preface

Chapter
1. Leadership for Development
2. Population and Development
3. Youth and Development
4. Women in Development
5. Labour and Development
6. Management and Development
7. Technology and Development
8. Communication and Development
9. Rural Development
10. Education and Development
11. Health for Development
12. Food and Development
13. Culture and Development

18
9 20
2139
40- 54
55- 74
75- 94
95- 117
118 138
139 154
155 166
167- 187
188- 196
197 212

A List of Participants at the Farm House Dialogue

Background Note on the Africa Leadership Forum

213 229
230 231

Preface
This book is a collection of reports of thirteen editions of the Farm House
Dialogue, an ad hoc assembly of knowledgeable people who gather
informally, and in a relaxing atmosphere of the rural setting, to discuss
specific subjects and issues. A report of the weekend-long discussions is
usually produced to throw more light on the subject and the issues raised for
participants and non-participants alike. The reports in their conclusions are
rather recommendatory as there is always a right admixture of analysis and
prescription.
The Farm House Dialogue is essentially a national programme of the Africa
Leadership Forum. The main aims of Africa Leadership Forum itself is:
a. To encourage the diagnosis, understanding, and informed search for
solutions to local, regional, and global problems, taking full account
of their interrelationships and mutual consequences;
b. To develop, organize and support programmes for the training of able
and promising Africans with leadership potentials so as to expose
them to the demands, duties and obligations of leadership positions
and to meet the challenges of an interdependent world;
c. To generate greater understanding and to enhance the knowledge and
awareness of development and social problems within a global
context among young, potential leaders from all sectors of society,
cutting across national, regional, continental, professional and
institutional borders and with a view to fostering close and enduring
relationships and promoting life-long association and co-operation
among such potential leaders;
d. To support and encourage the diagnosis and informed search for
appropriate and effective solutions to local and regional African
problems from an African perspective within the framework of
global interdependence including consideration of phased action
programmes that can be initiated by various countries, sub-regions
and institutions.

The Farm House Dialogue is one means of pursuing the aims and objectives
of the Forum. The dialogues contained in this book cover essential elements
of development. The elements are by no means exhaustive. Although the
issues are Nigeria centered, they are equally relevant to situations in other
African countries or other developing countries outside Africa.
The invitation for each Dialogue was dispersed across territories, gender,
age and professions as well as specializations. It included policy-makers as
well as policy-takers. Responses, in all cases, have been very encouraging.
And I take this opportunity once again to thank the people who have
participated in all the dialogues. They have made the efforts by all of us at
the Africa Leadership Forum most rewarding, exciting and instructive.
Through our heavy and long mailing list and distribution network of the
reports, we have received comments and remarks that we have incorporated
in this final book. We are indebted to those who did not only receive the
reports and read them but also take the trouble to forward comments, which
we appreciate.
The quality of our discussions at each Dialogue and the subsequent reports
are the products of quality and enthusiasm of the participants as well the
indispensable guidance and direction of the Chairmen of each Dialogue. We
are heavily indebted to all of them starting from Chief S. O. Adebo, who
launched the series with Leadership for Development, Professor Akin
Mabogunje who chaired the next on Education for Development, Chief
Osita Okeke on Youth and Development, Alhaji Ahmed Joda on
Communication for Development, Major General Henry Adefope on
Labour and Development, Professor C. Nwokolo on Health and
Development, Chief (Mrs) Tejumade Alakija on Women in Development,
Mr. Wilberforce Juta on Rural Development, Chief Micheal Omolayole on
Management and Development and Professor Chimere Ikoku whose
chairmanship of the one on Technology and Development still evokes
pleasant memories. The report on Population and Food were synthesized
from the discussions of a larger international conference organized by the
Africa Leadership Forum in Ota, on Population, Environment and Climatic
Changes in Africa and on Agricultural Production and Food Security in
Africa. The presentations on Population published in this book were
discussed at the Farm House Dialogue on Technology while the points
contained in the report on Food and Development were discussed at the
Dialogue on Management and Development. The reports, as presented in
this book, do not follow the sequence in which the Farm House Dialogues

took place on each subject, as the need was to re-arrange the reports in three
main blocks. That re-arrangement enhances the subject matter. In addition,
as each chapter is a separate brainstorming exercise by itself, there is of
necessity a certain amount of repetition or overlapping, especially in the
definition or elaboration of the term development, so as to put each
Dialogue on the same wave length.
In all cases, the rapporteurs did a marvelous job. However, the quantity,
consistency and standard of the report has been maintained by the general
editor, Professor Akin Mabogunje, who always insisted on having Ayo
Aderinwales note along with the report of the rapporteurs. We are grateful
to both of them. This book will enable participants and non-participants
alike to have, in one volume, the complete Dialogue on development. It will
also allow the reader to capture and savour the spirit and the fellowship of
each dialogue.
While we are not presumptuous or nave to expect all our recommendations
to move to the realm of policy immediately, we believe that the track record
of the Farm House Dialogue is so far commendable. The disbandment of
Ministries of Local Government followed closely on the basis of our first
report on Leadership for Development and the recommendation for such
disbandment.
The policy of nine years of compulsory education might not be unconnected
with our Dialogue and Report on Education for Leadership. While
congratulating the Dialogue, we also congratulate the authorities for being
aware and being responsive to all the advice of the programme.
We, at the Africa Leadership Forum remain unrelenting in the task of
diagnosing, through discussions, issues of national, regional and global
concern and making recommendations thereon to ensure a wholesome
society and a better world through improved performance. The next series of
our weekend discussions will be on the general subject of Democracy and
Governance, which will be the second in our Farm House Dialogue Book
Series.
Olusegun Obasanjo
Ota, January 1991

1
Leadership For Development
A starting point for examining the issue of leadership in development is to
determine what constitutes the essence of leadership. In this regard, a
number of other pertinent questions can be raised. These include for
example questions such as; who are leaders? How is leadership defined?
What are the roles of leaders? How is leadership acquired? Are leaders born
or made? How is leadership exercised?
It was observed that these questions were important because the tendency in
the Nigerian society was to talk about leaders or leadership only in terms of
the few individuals who occupied the apex of government and the private
sector. Thus, leaders are conceived as only those persons holding highly
visible positions in government and industries. The media has helped to
encourage this view of who the leaders are by focusing incessantly on this
group. Part of the reason for this over-emphasis is no doubt the fact that, in
an underdeveloped country, government activities are so dominant that those
who carry them out at the top level appear to be the only leaders in the
system.
Nonetheless, it was agreed that for leadership in whatever field, certain
qualities, apart from deliberate preparation, were critical for success. These
include, among others, humility, honesty, commitment to hard work, ability
to conceive programmes of permanent value, firmness, fairness, vision,
patriotism and integrity. The task of preparing individuals to assume
leadership roles in any field must consequently entail devising ways and
means of imprinting on potential leaders these qualities of leadership, apart
from establishing the criteria for identifying such individuals. This was
certainly one of the basic objectives that informed the establishment of the
National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies at Kuru. The Africa
Leadership Forum must thus be seen as a complementary private counterpart
of the National Institute, albeit with a wider continental mandate. However,
if these two centers and others that may be established in future were to
serve their purpose well, great care must be taken in selecting the individuals
who are invited or sent to them.

Within the context of the experiences represented at this first Dialogue, the
following views on current societal leadership were noted:
i.

Majority of the leaders in the society have tended to be selfish,

self-centered, and incapable, in most cases, of performing their
tasks effectively.

ii.

Most leaders, by their actions and inclinations, have made it almost

impossible to develop a democratic tradition. As long as such
leaders direct governments, which, in turn, control every aspect of
the national economy, development will continue to elude the
country.

iii.

Societys perception of, and expectation from, its leaders cannot be

divorced from the way these leaders get to their positions.

iv.

Astrictive leaders in the country or those individuals born into

leadership positions (traditional rulers, etc) do not seem to care
much to be achievers. It is only those upon whom leadership is
thrust or who achieved it by dint of hard work that become great
achievers.

v.

In most developing countries including Nigeria, the performance

of leaders to date has rather made governments to become
instruments for underdevelopment.

vi.

In Nigeria, it would appear that certain criteria for leadership

peculiar to the country such as tolerance to press criticisms, a
personal approach to religious belief and so on are starting to
emerge. It would be necessary to think of ways in which these can
be institutionalized. Institutions, such as the National Institute for
Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru must be further re-dedicated
towards producing good leaders and responsible people in the
society.

vii.

National leaders can derive great inspiration from reading

biographies of great leaders of other lands and nations, in addition
to our own.

viii. One of the serious shortcomings of Nigerian leaders is their lack of

continuous exposure to leadership challenges and their consequent
shallow sensitivity and arrogance. Participants noted that the
Nigerian press contributed to this latter trait by overplaying the
rhetorics of leaders and blowing their minor achievements out of
proportion. It may, of course, be argued that the attitude of the
press to the leaders cannot be divorced from that of the society of
which it is a part. In a society that is over-governed, the press tends
to concentrate on the political leadership, its activities and
pronouncements. This obsessive focus provokes some concern
about the press view of its own role in the society, whether this is
seen as embracing the changes in the society or simply as
reflecting the societys strength and inadequacies. As of now, it
must be admitted that the press and the media as a whole have lost
sight of their overall responsibility. Nonetheless, it was
acknowledged that although there are other kinds of leaders,
notably religious leaders, the political leadership of an
underdeveloped country such as Nigeria is the most important
because its role in shaping and moulding other kinds of leadership
is pervasive.

Leadership and the Concept of Development

In examining this second issue of leadership and the concept of
development, participants adopted, as a useful starting point, a simple
definition of development as a change or a transformation into a better state.
This is important because the word development itself has undergone a
great deal of change in literature. In the past, it was conceived of narrowly as
no more than an increase in Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Nowadays,
emphasis is placed on the content of the GDP as well as on other indicators
of the quality of life. Such social indicators include infant mortality rate,
maternal mortality rate, shifts in social status, employment opportunity, life
expectancy, decrease in fertility, as well as housing, water supply, nutrition,
education, etc. In short, development now emphasizes people as the object
of attention. It is no longer just about growth in the volume of goods and
commodities. It is now to be thought of as a process concerned with peoples
capacity in a defined area over a defined period to manage and induce
positive change; that is, to predict, plan, understand and monitor change and
reduce or eliminate unwanted or unwarranted change. Thus, the more people

develop themselves, the more they would become instruments for further
change. Increases in the GDP could then be seen as intermediate in the
process; that is, as the product of the change process and the input for further
change. Education was identified as the key to peoples ability to manage
and induce change. It develops the ability to make intelligent choices while
also increasing the choices available.
Given this definition of development, the question was asked as to how to
manage or induce change in a large population such as we have in Nigeria.
Is this where the issue of leadership becomes crucial? Does development, for
instance, involve the ability of a nation to conduct free and fair elections,
and thereby ensure smooth political transition? Or, is the concept of
development one that can be grasped first at a limited level before it can be
extended to society as a whole? How are leaders meant to grapple with such
a concept?
The challenge of providing a simple answer to these various questions was
illustrated by one participant in the following vivid and rather imaginative
way. According to him as he drove to work every day, he noticed a
signboard on the way with the inscription: Christ is the answer, leaving
him to wonder as to what the question was! In a similar way, according to
him, it has often been stated rather loosely that leadership in Nigeria was a
problem, without proper attention being paid to the question: problem of
what? As such, leadership was frequently treated as an independent variable
without being linked specifically to the Nigerian society. The question could
thus be asked as to whether or not it was possible to have a good leadership
emerging in the Nigerian situation. Even if the search was extended beyond
political leadership, the question also remains as to the type of leadership
that had emerged in other areas of the society.
At the level of local government, for example, is it possible to have a leader
who is not from the major ethnic community in the area? Is it possible to
have a leader who is not a contract giver and patronage dasher? Since ,at
least for now, the answer to these questions must in most cases be in the
negative, it must be admitted that leadership cannot be considered in
isolation of, but in relation to, the societys structural characteristics. It was
concluded that leadership in Nigeria remained problematic because it was
not an independent variable but a mixture of other variables. For a change or
development to take place in the country, therefore, there is need to engage

in raising the people or the society as a whole above the various structural
constraints, and creating appropriate machinery for bringing this about.
It may, of course, be asked that, if development is about people, how do
people relate to the necessary and appropriate machinery for breaking down
the structural constraints impeding change? The answer, it was agreed, is
that people must be seen as both the agent and the object of change. As
agents of change, people need to be disciplined if they are really desirous of
getting out of the morass of underdevelopment. The first challenge of
leadership in regard to the concept of development is how to create or
achieve a disciplined society. A disciplined society must not be assumed to
be a repressed society, but that which gives ample opportunity for the
flowering of independent radical thoughts.
Not unexpectedly, there were reservations that, given the pervasive
corruption and the present political set-up in the country, it might be an
empty hope to expect the emergence of a disciplined and upright political
leadership. In cautioning against such pessimism, it was observed that,
despite its many failings, the Shagari regime of 1979 to 1983 could, for
example, be viewed as representing a definite quantum of progress in the
political development of the nation because it provided an opportunity for
civilians to mess around. Its value must be seen in terms of the concrete
example it provided on how national disasters could occur, and on the
opportunity it provided for improving the countrys leadership quality.
Clearly, what Nigeria has been going through in the last three decades must
be seen as the inevitable pains and pangs associated with the evolution of a
strong and united nation.
If development is about people, then the people constitute a repository of
energy for development and it is the careful release of this energy that
constitutes development. The major factor in development is the mental
factor. The elite in the country needs to clear their mind about this to prevent
the nation from moving fast in the wrong direction. It is recognized that the
nations economy is based largely on foreign capital. Should this continue?
How does this relate to the concept of development as that of people
developing themselves? Or, to the establishment of democratic institutions at
the grassroots level.

Whichever way it is considered, development cannot be development if it

cannot be sustained in the long run. For sustenance in the long run,
development must be seen as a free release of the energy of the people. This
release can come about only through education the right kind of education
and education in its widest sense. Such education will facilitate the
emergence of a political structure that will throw up the right kind of leaders.
This, of course, does not take account of the external environment, which
cannot always be taken for granted or assumed to be favourable and
supportive. Indeed, in the case of Nigeria, it has been suggested that the
country was being gradually recolonised as its economy became weakened.
This has given rise to growing disenchantment and cynicism about the
development process. The issue of the external environment of development
was considered of sufficient importance to merit a session of a Dialogue on
its own.
Disenchantment, it was observed, was a state of the mind that a developing
country cannot afford to encourage. Whenever it starts to get a hold on the
mind of the people, mental re-orientation should be considered imperative.
In Nigeria, this must be seen as one of the challenges confronting the Mass
Mobilisation for Social Justice and Economic Reconstruction Programme
(MAMSER). Its programme of adult education must be directed to
encompass the inculcation of the right attitude of mind to development and,
more importantly, to instill an appreciation of the critical importance of self
and group discipline.
Development must, furthermore, be understood as not entailing populism;
rather it is about getting on with the jobs that people do. In the extreme, it
can be said to have less to do with what government does. It is not just about
consuming; it is also about producing. It is not concerned with the buying of
technology but with the creation, by the people themselves, of the
technology needed for development, as well as the development by the
people, of the capacity to manage their own affairs. In other words,
development entails:
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)

Knowledge and understanding;

Access to information statistical and non-statistical;
Technological creativity; and
Possession of the right kind of organization and skill.

It is the combination of these four factors that ensures the capacity of people
to achieve sustainable growth. It is not just rushing ahead to spend windfall
gains from a non-renewable resource like petroleum; the type of action that
has been the bane of the country. Such an action also meant living on a
surplus accruing from outside our own productive capabilities and under the
control of the government. It leads, in consequence, to a failure to properly
address the issue of national development.
Against this background, what is the role and significance of development
plans? Conventionally, these are documents prepared by a small group of
experts, mainly economists, who are also, to a large extent, responsible for
their execution and monitoring. When, at the end of the day, such a plan fails
to achieve many of its objectives, this same group sometimes turns around to
blame the political leadership. The reality, of course, is that the nation has
been made to try to plan from top to bottom, the top being represented by the
experts and the bottom, by the masses. The reverse should be the case. For,
in the final analysis, economic planning and development must be seen as
the concern of all and not of economists alone.
However, it was stressed that the existence of a good plan is not enough as
the basis for achieving development. There must be, in addition, a political
leadership that has the vision, the education, the will, the credibility and the
capacity to manage the process of change, and a fellowship that is ready to
change its attitude, its ways and its taste. This is vital if the people must be
taken into confidence. The role of the leaders is to fix priorities and guide
the society into appreciating the imperatives of these. The effectiveness of
leaders in achieving these objectives would, of course, depend on their own
qualities and on the arrangements for their succession. Those who aspire to
lead must have an irreducible minimum and reasonable level of education,
exposure and moral strength.
What institutions exist or can be devised to assist in moulding and bringing
up this kind of leadership? The Africa Leadership Forum is certainly one
such institution but it cannot be the only one. There exist tremendous
opportunities for many other initiatives in this matter. This is particularly so
as it must be admitted that many of the leaders that the country has had so
far have shown very little patriotic interest in their mission. This is true of
both the leadership at the Federal and at State levels of government. It is,
however less true of leadership at the community level. As such, it was
suggested that in the present circumstances of Nigeria, minimum

government might be the solution. This conclusion is not meant to be raised

to the level of an ideology but needs to be considered as a plausible option in
the present circumstances. This is even more compelling, given the fact that
most of the resources for development presently at the disposal of
governments tend to come from outside the country and hence tend to limit
the extent to which government can independently undertake the
development of the country.
From this perspective, the prospects of real development lie in the
establishment of democratic institutions at all levels of the country. This
conclusion focuses especial attention on the place of local government in the
development process. In Nigeria, the concept of local government remains
unsatisfactory. Local government areas are generally too large and fail to
properly take into account the interest of communities and small groups.
Local governments have not been allowed to move into the next stage of
their development, which is the organization of their constituent
communities. To rectify the present situation, it was agreed that the
following would need to be done:
i.

Ministries of local government would need to be drastically

reformed if not abolished forthwith. At present, they are a
hindrance to the evolution of responsible leadership at the local
level.

ii.

Local governments should be free from state governments control

just as state governments are free from the federal government
control, except for consultation and cooperation on activities over
which they both exercise concurrent powers.

iii.

State governments should no longer appoint secretaries to local

governments.

iv.

In order that local government may be meaningful, viable and

capable of acting like a proper third tier of government,
fragmentation should be avoided. Each local government should,
however, be allowed to create community development
committees on the basis of affinity and contiguity of the peoples
within its area of jurisdiction.

v.

Local government should be the main instrument of rural

development.

vi.

Local government should be the main instrument of rural

development.

Democratic Spirit and Democratic Institutions

Democratic spirit was defined as a commitment to follow a democratic way
of doing things at all possible times along with the responses that enable that
spirit to thrive. It helps to emphasize that a freely accepted change will
endure more than an imposed one. It also underscores the reason why there
is no need to panic when democracy is freely accepted. It also underscores
the reason why democracy is in crisis, especially where there is a total
commitment to democracy. Put in this way, the issue for dialogue should
then be the ways and means by which the democratic principle can be
enshrined in practice. Is it through an institutional opposition or through the
proliferation of newspapers, for instance?
First and foremost, it was agreed that an important factor for enshrining the
democratic spirit in practice is to create the right atmosphere for
fundamental human rights to flourish. Democracy must entail the freedom
for the expression of the other point of view.
The question was raised as to how difficult it was to adhere to the
democratic spirit under a condition of underdevelopment. This is because
one may know that a measure is good for the society but the generality of the
people may not like it and may therefore be opposed to it. In such a
situation, one view was that such a programme should not be implemented
until the people are carried along, and convinced of its necessity. Another
view was that government could proceed with such a measure as long as it
was convinced that it was in the interest of the people, irrespective of what
the people themselves thought of it. However, this view was rejected on the
ground that consultation with the people was not only a process of
information management but also a veritable training ground for the people
in democracy.
The role of interest groups in a democratic society was also highlighted. The
issue was raised as to why interest groups were not used to throw up leaders
and why there was much obsession with the Western forms of interest

articulation through the formation of political parties. It was agreed that

conventional interests groups are too narrow in their range of concerns,
hence the need for them to congregate under the larger umbrella of political
parties. The virtues of the Western form of democratic organization should
not be dismissed outright. The right attitude is to study the various forms and
operations of Western type democracy with a view to identifying those
elements that are of value to us, and adapting these to our own peculiar
circumstances.

2
Population and Development
The rate of growth of the Nigerian population since the middle of the
century, compared to that of the rest of sub-Saharan Africa, is both alarming
and distressing, especially when taken in the context of the deteriorating
quality of life of ordinary people. It was observed, for instance, that, in 1953,
Nigerias population was 31 million. Ten years later, the officially accepted
population figure was 56 million. In 1985, the estimated figure was 98
million. In the opinion of the participants, if these figures were accepted as
fair estimates, it would mean that, within 21 years, Nigerias population
would have increased by 42.3 million or 76%. Although several factors have
been identified as the propelling variables, the Dialogue took the view that
the needed conditions for such excessive population growth must be looked
for in our traditional norms and behaviour patterns.
In traditional Nigerian society, the wealth of an individual was assessed by
the sheer size of his household. The household included several wives,
numerous children, many relatives as well as a significant number of
indentured labourers. However, this household together constituted his pool
of labour for farming and other productive purposes. Another index of a
mans wealth and status was the size of his herds of cattle, sheep and goats.
Essentially then, the household was, in the past, the pivotal basis for
assessing a mans social relevance and importance. The Dialogue noted that
the simplicity of this setting was further accentuated because the traditional
Nigerian society bore little or no financial costs of the now basic concerns of
social existence such as education, housing, food, transport, health and
similar necessities that form the nexus of modern developmental activities.
However, the population density was low, the lifestyle of the people was
simple and the individual and the society were at equilibrium with each
other. Over time and especially with colonialism, this situation changed and
Nigeria entered a new period where the emphasis of social existence became
anchored on the modernization process and on modern science. These led to
a sharp reduction in infant mortality rate, and a significant rise in life,
expectancy.

Traditional Nigerian social arrangements, however, continued to favour

polygamy as the basis of family formation and to indicate both tacit and
explicit preference for large family sizes. In fact, a large family was seen as
a form of social security and a safety valve against the deleterious effect of
high infant and maternal mortality and short life expectancy. In the same
manner, the barrenness of women was more often than not linked to heinous
or diabolic influences within the household or society. There was, in
essence, a high degree of social obsession with issues of fertility and the
survival of the lineage. There was, in addition, a preference for, and a preoccupation to have, male children. The number of children, especially male
children, that a woman had, in fact, came to determine, to some extent, her
standing and importance within the extended family.
In recent times, the situation has been further aggravated by certain religious
and social beliefs that frown at or discourage the use of modern
contraceptives and abortions. To these must be added the effects of the
universality of conjugal relations, high illiteracy, the social inequalities
suffered by women and the subsistence mode of production, which defined
and allotted social, economic and political roles to different individuals in
the society.
However, a large population cannot be said to be entirely undesirable. There
is the widely persuasive proposition of the pro-population school that high
population density is a pre-requisite for technological advancement and
economic development. Necessity resulting from the excessive pressure of
population on resources is expected to become the mother of inventions. A
large work force under pressure would, in the subsistence economy, be
forced to develop improved ways of increasing per capita productivity by,
for instance, enhancing change and the technological element in the
production equation. Besides, in conventional economic terms, it has been
argued that a large population meant a bigger market, a greater volume of
production, higher productivity, smaller transport distances and a greater
diversification of ideas for societal growth and development.
The Dialogue noted the conflicts between the pro-population and the antipopulation schools and highlighted the complication of the conflicts arising
from the difficulties of establishing any correlation between population
growth and economic development in Nigeria especially on the basis of such
parameters as per capita national income and other economic indicators. All
the same, participants were firmly of the belief that the high rate of growth

in our population has adverse implications and consequences for national

economic development and the quality of life of Nigerian citizens.
The first consequence has to do with the deteriorating effects of the state on
the general development efforts. It was observed that growth in population
tends to encourage migration to urban centres. Given the low level of our
urbanization process, such massive migrations, as are now being witnessed
in the country, put a severe strain on the limited urban infrastructure and
facilities through over-utilization, thereby giving rise to great inadequacy
and frequent breakdowns. These are compounded by the problems of
overcrowding, environmental pollution and degradation, and increased antisocial behaviours, all of which lead to the deterioration of the standard of
living and quality of life that frequently defy official solution.
Furthermore, the proliferation of informal economic activities to help
migrants find some gainful employment aggravates the level of
environmental pollution. The result is that the nations capacity to cope
effectively with these problems becomes suspect.

The Structure of the Nigerian Population

The Dialogue noted that Nigerias population is comparatively young and
non-working. Those within the 0-15 years age bracket constitute about half,
or more precisely 47%, of the population while those aged sixty-four years
and above account for about two per cent. The consequence is that every
productive Nigerian is unwittingly saddled with the responsibility of
feeding, housing, clothing and educating a child. This was compared to the
situation in some developed countries where, on the average, two or three
economically productive persons provide for only one non-productive
citizen. The irony of the situation was deemed obvious, given the low level
of incomes and miserably low level of investments in developing countries.
In addition, it was also observed that, in Nigeria, as is the case with most
developing countries, the practice of having large families was more
prevalent among the poor than among the rich. The Dialogue believed that
although some affluent members of the society had extremely large families,
in numerical terms, they are relatively few and far between. The practice
certainly constitutes a strong strain on resources and poses a real threat to the
security that the extended family system offers. Consequently, the Dialogue
suggested that the federal and the other levels of government should

consider the feasibility of adopting measures capable of offering some forms

of social security especially for rural non-wage earners. Such a social
security system can be linked to the sale of farm produce or services, as a
means of ensuring efficiency in the payment of premiums.

Population and Food Security

Participants believed that the implications for policy of rapid population
growth are multifarious and multidimensional. There is the implication for
food production, for example. Nigeria would have to double the existing
food supply and significantly expand its infrastructure, utilities and services
within the next twenty years just to maintain the present per capita standard
and quality of life because of the increased demand generated by our
burgeoning population. The Dialogue took the view that this is an
impossible task based on current performance levels. To have to raise the per
capita living standard significantly beyond the present rate will greatly strain
all our resources and technological capabilities. In other words, we would,
like Alice in Wonderland, have to run twice as hard to remain in the same
position. Based on the current levels of performance, the ability of the nation
to double its pace is far from reassuring. To match food production with the
rapid rate of population growth on present showing is certainly a daunting
task. Already, there is a current upsurge in the infant mortality rate (a
sensitive indicator of nutritional stress). The Dialogue accepted the
definition of food security as entailing, among other things, adequate access,
by all the people at household levels, to largely domestically produced food
at all times. Food must not only be available, it must be cheap and affordable
especially for the low-income group.
An ever-increasing population would seriously hamper the achievement of
such a level of food security. For instance, according to the United Nations
Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA) population card, Nigerias
population today is projected to increase by about 11 persons per minute.
This means an additional 660 hungry mouths to be fed every hour. Given the
present estimated growth rate of 3-3.4% a year, the population of Nigeria is
expected to double by the year 2020 to about 250 million.
This is in spite of the unacceptable high infant mortality rate of 144 per
thousand per year, a high maternal mortality rate of about 20 per thousand
and a life expectancy of about 50 years. Fears were expressed about the

consequences of these trends in the face of the national inability to raise

agricultural productivity to match such a growth rate.
Although participants observed that the precise number that Nigerias
resources can support is unclear, they noted that even the most optimistic
projections would admit that the countrys resources cannot support an
infinitely large population. For progress to be made, therefore, the growth
rate of food production must be at least 1% over that of population. At
present, the high population growth rate severely limits and threatens the
ability of Nigeria to achieve a modicum of food security. Surplus food is
continuously consumed by the too many mouths being born to be fed.
Traditional Nigerian agricultural practice operated on the basis of shifting
cultivation. The essence of such a practice was to allow utilized land to lie
fallow as a means of recovering some of its nutrients and moisture. One
impact of the rise in population is the reduction in the length of the fallow
period. The consequence of a shortened fallow period is a reduction in soil
fertility levels leading to lower levels of agricultural productivity and
increased ecological imbalance due to over-utilization of the fragile soil. In
addition, the increase in population breaks down the traditional relations of
livestock rearing and crop production since it makes it difficult to have
adequate fallow land on which animals can be grazed. The result is overgrazing, which causes greater erosion, further damage to the soil, reduction
in the size of available agricultural land and consequently, further and
progressive impoverishment of the people.

Population and Health Services

For a burgeoning and comparatively young population to be productive,
adequate health facilities and services are required. And for individuals in
such a large population to be active, especially in urban centers where overcrowding is common, significant efforts must be directed at improving the
unsanitary and unhygienic living conditions. In essence, a very large
financial outlay and a commitment to the operation of an effective health
care delivery system would be required. In an era of dwindling resources and
consequent reduction of social sector expenditures, the inability of the state
to provide adequate financial and human resources for an effective health
care delivery system becomes more acute than ever.

Given the insanitary conditions of our urban centers, the Dialogue took
cognizance of the high rate of waste generation and consequent
environmental pollution and degradation and called for the re-introduction of
sanitary inspectors. It noted that the provision of adequate environmental
sanitation, social preventive health care, and good nutrition must be a better
strategy for greatly improving the health status of the vast majority of
citizens, bearing in mind that the funds required to achieve this are much
lower than would otherwise be require for curative remedies in cases of
epidemics. For, although the cost of financing curative health care is both
public and private, and is available in both public and private health
institutions, the cost of obtaining health care services could be prohibitive
particularly to the low-income earners who constitute the majority of the
populace. Consequently, this category of Nigerians can hardly afford to
patronize the public health institutions not to talk of the more expensive
private ones. Besides the cost factor, the present capacity of these
institutions is too small for the very large number of patients. In other words,
demand for curative health services is already in excess of its supply. With
the rapid rate of population growth, the situation would naturally arise in
which the price of health services would become so high that only the rich,
who could pay, would get medical attention. Were such a situation be
allowed to arise, it would be a very sad commentary on our development
process.
Conceivably, a nation that cannot provide adequate and nutritious food for
its citizens cannot be said to have a national food security system. Symptoms
of food insecurity are already manifesting in the nutritional stress, which is
currently increasing the rate of infant and general mortality. Food in Nigeria
is becoming unaffordable and unavailable in sufficient quantity and quality
especially for the urban poor. The implication of this for our health services,
it was argued, lies in the extra burden that would be placed on the curative
health care delivery system, which then has to treat the symptoms of
malnutrition with expensive medication. Such a situation would simply
make a mockery of our campaign of Health for all by the Year 200.

Population and Education

In a similar vein, much of Nigerias projected population has little or no
chance of securing access to educational institutions even on the assumption
of spectacular improvements in our overall economic performance.
Education delivery in Nigeria is still substantially poor and the quality is

deteriorating. In the face of a sharp increase in population, it is certain that

the decline in the quality of education will be further aggravated. The future
population scenario thus threatens the very basis of Nigerias socialization
process. The Dialogue therefore took the view that Nigeria must now begin
to emphasize the quality of its population rather than its quantity. It must
think more carefully about having a population that is well educated and
thus more effectively predisposed to confronting headlong the challenges of
development.
The Dialogue accepted the definition of development as essentially the
ability of a people within a given area to manage and induce positive
changes that would enhance the quality of their lives and their economic
well-being. Achieving this goal remains a function of a good educational
system that is not hinged on the narrow and reductionist concern of literacy
and numeracy but that which takes due cognizance of capacity building
capacity utilization and capacity retention. Studies have shown that (when
the cost of feeding, housing, clothing, decent education, and providing
medical care and all other incidental and normal services are taken into
consideration) it costs about $100,000.00 (approx. N800,000.00) to train a
person from childhood to responsible and productive adulthood. In Nigeria,
the level of available resources and those to be realistically expected in
future cannot obviously sustain this cost given the rapid rate at which the
Nigerian population is growing. Yet it was noted that the training and
education of the child were the responsibility of the parents. In essence, until
we move consciously and determinedly towards the goal of population
stabilization, we would remain saddled with a large mass of poor people
with low qualitative status.

Population and the Environment

A further implication of the worrisome growth of our population is the
snowballing effect and the consequences it has on the environment. The
increased demand for food has, in fact, led to an intensification of land
cultivation, which in turn, leads to the use and misuse of chemical fertilizers
with deleterious effects on the already fragile top soil thereby decreasing soil
fertility and productive capability. As this happens, farmers would be forced
to seek fresh land for cultivation and by so doing, begin a new cycle of
environmental degradation.

In addition to this are the physical implications of a high population pressure

on the environment. Rapid population increase eventually increases the
tempo of urbanization. The need for cities to continuously expand involves
activities that lead to the destruction of forests and vegetation. Participants
noted that deforestation reduces the ability of the environment to absorb
carbon dioxide produced by man and animals, and used by plants for food
production. The excess carbon dioxide thus left in the atmosphere then
becomes an environmental pollutant and hazard, producing the Greenhouse
effect that endangers life.

Population and Economic Growth

The impact of population growth on the economy (and of economic growth
on the population) was also noted. Participants observed that whatever
surpluses are created by the economy would always be instantly consumed
by a population the grows exponentially. It follows that there can be no
savings in such an economy. If there are no savings, there can be no
investments, and consequently, economic growth and development would
remain static. The Dialogue agreed that the Nigerian population must be
stabilized at about 300 million. If this is to be achieved before the middle of
the next century, the country must seriously begin the process now. Most of
those who will provide the increase were already born; what remains is the
control of their fertility rate. Some participants even wondered if the land
area of Nigeria could conveniently support and sustain as many as 300
million people.

The Census Problem

The Dialogue was unhappy at the situation whereby twenty-seven years after
the 1963 census, Nigeria has not been able to conduct an acceptable head
count. In spite of the numerous known benefits and advantages of a national
census, it is sad to note the inability of succeeding governments, military and
civilian, to successfully conduct a population census. Participants agreed that
the crux of the problem lies in the perception of the exercise as a major
factor that determines the distribution of amenities and the imposition of tax.
It was noted that previous attempts at census-taking have been marred by
recourse to double counting, deliberate falsification and distortion of census
figures. In other instances, people have been known to travel long distances
from the urban centres where they live and walk to their respective villages

to raise up the population figure there, in the hope of increasing the

accruable benefits that a large population figure would bring to the
communities.
The Dialogue believed that it was time that Nigerians had a change of
orientation and attitude in their understanding and perception of the uses of
censuses. It was agreed that there was the need for the leadership at all levels
to join in the exercise of sensitizing people to the practical and more rational
uses of the headcount. Traditional sources of authority and leadership should
also be involved in this campaign which should, of necessity, be a function
of the collective resolve of all of us.

Managing the Population Nexus

If the goal of development is the sustained improvement of the quality of life
of the individual members of a nation, it is important that food supply in the
right quantity and quality be ensured for all. In addition, adequate health
care, shelter and educational facilities must be provided. Opportunities for
productive and satisfying employment must also be made available for all.
Achieving this goal requires that Nigeria must act decisively to stem or slow
down the rate of population growth and align it which the rate at which
resources were being made available and can be expected to go on being
made available in the future.
Participants condemned the situation in some countries whereby desperate
measures such as abortion and the killing of baby girls were being promoted
as a means of curbing the rate of population growth. Killing of baby girls or
destruction of pregnancies identified to be female will have dire
consequences for male female ratio in the future. Instead of this approach,
urgent measures need to be taken to mitigate the effects of the occurrence
and consequences of unintended and unwanted pregnancies. A public
campaign for responsible parenthood should be mounted to provide the
context for population control practices. Opportunities should also be
provided for couples to engage in family planning on a voluntary basis.
The Dialogue argued strongly that family planning is not and should never
be presented or packaged as a new phenomenon. For, as acknowledged by
the Dialogue, the practice had been with human-kind for quite a long time,
and familiarization with different cultural practices would confirm that many

societies had attempted to regulate fertility using a variety of methods not

the least of which was the emphasis on child spacing.
For instance, in some parts of Nigeria, it was customary for a nursing mother
to stay with her parent until her baby was weaned. The effect was a spacing
of between two and three years between pregnancies. In other areas,
practices such as prolonged breast-feeding are usually employed to lengthen
the interval between pregnancies and ensure that the nutritional needs of the
baby and its mother were not compromised. Sexual intercourse before a
baby was weaned was in many places a taboo. There were in existence
varieties of herbs and plants that were believed to be capable of preventing
pregnancy.
The Dialogue noted that although, as a result of social changes, most of the
traditional family planning practices that had worked successfully in the past
might no longer be efficacious and practicable today, others such as
prolonged breast-feeding are still applicable and need to be promoted as
equally effective and reliable methods.
It was noted that Nigeria has neither achieved nor entered into the phase of
demographic transition, that is, the stage at which fertility and mortality are
dropping sharply to low levels. In such a stage, population growth rates also
begin to drop from high to low. The question was therefore posed as to why
such demographic transition was not being experienced in Nigeria or, in
other words, why have mortality and fertility rates remained very high? It
was observed that reduced infant mortality was a crucial factor in fertility
decline. When a woman feels that the survival chances of her child are very
high, she can accept the counsel not to have more than a few children. In
essence, there is an inter-locking relationship between the health status of
children and mothers on the one hand and the effectiveness of a population
policy on the other.
In addition, breast feeding and post-partum abstinence, particularly in urban
areas, have been known to decrease fertility. Late marriage can also be a
veritable factor of reduced fertility. However, in Nigeria, marriage is
anchored on the universal concept of matrimony. In fact, it usually occurs at
a very early age, especially for women. Re-marriage is also a widely
prevalent practice because of societal norms which frown and demean single
women. Since childbearing is generally regarded as a vital means of

securing a marriage, re-marriage tends to have the effect of increasing

fertility.
The Dialogue noted that the existing economic crisis combined with the
modernization process in country is causing some delay in the age of first
marriage. Those who marry late have the tendency to want to ensure that the
life chances of their offspring are guaranteed and for that reason they are
more willing to accept family planning practices. Although polygamy is a
controversial issue as it relates to fertility, participants believed that it tends
to increase the incidence of avoidable pregnancies resulting from
competition for children among the wives in a polygamous family.
The national population policies must therefore take due cognizance of these
various behavioural patterns when initiating family planning programmes.
There should be greater emphasis on equality between the sexes through
programmes specifically directed at improving the status of women. Such
programmes should consider providing greater job opportunities for women
as a means of lowering their fertility and minimizing the traditional craze for
male offspring. In addition, equitable economic and social benefits as well as
the promotion of institutions would enable women in particular and the rest
of society in general the greater freedom to decide on a desirable size of
family.
The Dialogue believed that the Nigerian minimum legal age of 9 to 16 years
at which a girl can marry is one of the lowest in the world. This has given
added impetus to the vexatious and outmoded issue of child marriage.
Participants noted that the infant toll resulting from the excessive growth of
the Nigeria population is unbelievably and distressingly high. This must also
be taken in conjunction with the equally high rates of maternal mortality.
Indeed, Nigeria is said to have one of the highest rate of maternal mortality
in the whole world. Participants noted that this high maternal mortality rate
occurs more in the rural areas than in the urban centers. Therefore, the
Dialogue called attention to the urgent need to expand community-based
primary health centres in all our rural areas where paramedics, as well as
traditional and trained midwives can help to educate and provide assistance
to pregnant women.

The national population policy must, however, go beyond family planning to

include effects at creating conditions that will promote fertility decline. This
will involve expansion of basic education, especially for girls; raising the
age of marriage, which is a key factor in reducing the rate of maternal
mortality; promoting the economic independence of women; and providing
various tax inventives that favour small families.
The emphasis, in the national population policy, on four children per woman
is a good beginning but there is need to explain more fully the underlying
reasons for this preference. The policy would be taken more seriously if such
underlying reasons especially the economic ones were stressed as the major
basis for advocating for a more deliberate social attitude to family planning.
The youthful nature of the Nigerian population also meant that there would
be an increase in the social cost for the Nigerian economy. The Dialogue
believed that it was time that Nigerians developed a sense of responsibility
to the children they bring into the world. Similarly, the country has
responsibility also to the old and aged. Senior citizens who had laboured and
toiled in creating parts of our national wealth must not be allowed to go
through their old age in isolation, distress, helplessness and destitution.
Participants frowned seriously at the concept of the Old Peoples Homes.
They were regarded as very un-African, and as a form of callous
indifference of the young to their parents; an attitude that is antithetical to
the African cultural values of caring and sharing in fellowship.
The Dialogue recommended that various concessions be granted to our
senior citizens in the use of conveniences and other facilities. It was noted
that although pensions were adjusted ostensibly to the cost of living, the
percentage of the adjustment could be so miserable that it could be regarded
as no adjustment at all for most retired public servants. Participants believed
that urgent action needed to be taken in this direction.

Conclusions
The Dialogue noted that one remarkable change about the population debate
in Nigeria is that it can now be conducted calmly and objectively in a
context that is certain to generate more light than heat. In effect, population
debates can now be conducted more openly, and rational suggestions and
measures canvassed for stemming the tide of unwholesome population
growth.

It thus devolves on the individual, the community and the opinion leaders to
embrace the idea of fertility regulation, and collectively take measures that
would assure the nation of a move towards population stabilization.
Controlling Nigerias population was a much a challenge of leadership as it
is a matter of enlightened self-interest for every citizen.
The Nigerian media have the major responsibility to sensitize the nation to
the urgent need to restrain the rate of population growth. The Dialogue noted
and commended the current level of awareness creation that is being
generated by the activities of the media. It, however, urged against
complacency. Much still needs to be done to promote a culture of family
planning to obtain a small family, which a couple can effectively provide
for. Opinion moulders such as teachers, priests, imams, traditional rulers,
union leaders and people holding offices that place them in a position to
influence the thoughts of others, were also enjoined to participate in the
struggle for population control. The imminent population explosion in
Nigeria is like a time bomb. Unless and until all Nigerians took it upon
themselves to get involved in the population stabilization campaign, the
consequences of such an explosion could be worse than the nightmare
scenario.

3
Youth and Development
The Dialogue resolved to regard as youths all those who fall between the
ages 18 and 40 years. It recognized, however, that this is for convenience
since it does not really typify a particular group. It is possible for some 15
year olds to qualify as youths whilst it is not unusual to find a 45 year old
person with the spirit and attitude of a youth. This broad spectrum, it was
observed, can be further divided into two categories: those within the age
bracket of 18 and 30 years and those between 30 and 40 years, who should
be seen as mature youths.
Having resolved the question of age, youths were characterized as people
likely to show the following traits: a strong desire to move up the social
ladder; a tendency to be idealistic as a result of the values passed unto them
at earlier ages by role models in society; an eagerness to live up to these
models; frequent frustrations and anxieties as this idealism confronts the
cold realism of daily existence. Youths are thus people who are still
worrying about what they would be in life and not those wanting to keep
what they have. They are concerned not only about mundane things, but also
about how to change society as a whole, a trait that in some youths attains
revolutionary proportions. Youths, especially when they are not in the
mature category, are also people who are materially dependent and to some
extent need adult supervision. They are exuberant and dynamic. They want
quick results and desire that everything be accomplished in a day or as soon
as they desire it. They are risk-takers because of their limited level of
responsibilities. They also tend to be relatively alienated from the status-quo.
They are mobile in thought and have a transitory worldview.

Resources Allocation in Nigeria and the Youth

Participants agreed to place the question of youth and development within
the context of the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP). In the light of
this, they observed that the recent contraction of the national resource base

and opportunity that this programme has created has meant that enough
resources are not available to commit to youth development.
The Dialogue observed that the gross inadequacy of resources has seriously
impaired and incapacitated the ability of youths to realize their full
potentialities. The gross inadequacy is manifest in a variety of ways
including the marginalization of educational institutions at all levels, the
contraction of employment opportunities, and the poor standards of
recreational facilities.
The effect of this inadequacy would not have been so telling but for the
absence of a formal youth development policy on the part of the
government. Noting that the youth, as defined earlier on, constitute a
significant proportion of the nations population, the major percentage of the
population, the Dialogue then called for an articulate and imaginative youth
policy for development.

Socialization Process and the Youth

The Dialogue noted that the socialization process for youths usually begins
at home. At this level, there is need for a father-figure or a mother-figure,
and, at the national level, youths usually feel at a loss without a hero that
they can identify with and after whom they can pattern their lives. This tends
to structure their dreams and aspirations and influence their response to the
socialization process. Such models provide the youths with tangible image
of societal leaders who they can strive to emulate.
In the opinion of participants, even as children, youths tend to identify with
several aspects of adult life depending on their temperament. Most children,
it was noted, tend to identify with adults of strong character, who are
disciplined, successful, mentally alert and organized, and generally
protective. Such identification structures their worldview and enables them
to carve out a future role for themselves in the larger society. Participants
observed that parents and guardians owe it to their children and wards to
provide them with worthy role models by leading exemplary life styles. To
effectively do this, they must ensure a high degree of stability in their family
life. Family stability can be aided better at home if certain aspects of the
Nigerian culture are not discarded. In this regard, it was recommended that
breast feeding for a longer period than is presently practised is needed if the
child is to develop a stronger sense of attachment to the parents. It was also

recommended that the positive aspects of the extended family system should
be sustained, especially those aspects that help to restrain divorce among
married couples and thus reduce instability in family life.
Outside the family, concern was expressed for the need to work towards the
establishment of a national socialization process. This entails that
government must provide ample funds for creating institutions,
organizations and activity programmes outside of the formal school system.
All of these must be directed at achieving intensified and more structured
inter-personal interactions among all categories of Nigerian youths with a
view to enhancing national integration and fostering the evolution of a
national culture. One way this can be done is through the organization of
youth hostels and holiday camps throughout the country. This would also
involve the improvement of the mass transit system and perhaps subsidizing
fares, as was the case with the railways in the pre-independence period.
Youth hostels and holiday camps can serve the vital role of inculcating in
our youths some basic and desirable national ethos such as hard work, a
sense of public service, respect for elders and for ones peers, moral
integrity, and pride in our culture and value system. Until such youth hostels
and holidays are available, it was suggested that universities could be
encouraged to use their facilities for such a purpose during holidays. To
provide universities with the necessary incentives to do this, the federal and
state ministries of youth should provide funds for this purpose and actively
participate in ensuring that youths get to see other parts of the country and
meet their peers. Recreational facilities should also be provided locally to
help in mental and physical relaxation and enhance the creativity of the
youths.
In the same vein, the Dialogue also recommended the establishment of
national and less elitist equivalents of such youth clubs as the Jaycees,
Rotaracts and the Leos with basically Nigerian orientation and ethos. It was
suggested that such clubs should not entirely be sponsored by the
government but would need some subvention and official recognition from
the government.
The Dialogue also observed that the Nigerian media pays insufficient
attention to youth affairs. On national and state television, for instance,
besides the few childrens programmes and musicals such as Soul Train and
Quiz programmes, there is nothing concrete for the youth to relate to. It was
recommended that the media need to consciously develop programmes that

can aid youth development, and pay less attention to the foreign disco and
canned serialized American films.
To bridge the communication gap between the elders and the youths, it was
suggested that Nigerian elders should be more tolerant of the youths. Most
Nigerian cultures, in fact, do recognize the rights of youths to be heard and
to actively contribute to discussions on vital societal issues. Pains should be
taken, on a personal level, to explain the basis of these decisions to the
youth. At the same time, youths should be advised to be less impatient and
be more willing to learn from the wisdom of their elders.

Education in Nigeria and the Youth

Although the second Farm House Dialogue had focused on the topic:
Education for Development, it was felt that there was the need to re-examine
this issue from the point of view of the youths themselves. This entails
looking at education as a socializing process and examining the special
problems of students. Participants noted the role of education as a major
agency in the socialization of youths. Therefore, when the younger
generation tends to be more deviant, the indication is that something is
wrong within the educational system. Education must therefore be made
socially relevant. The present educational system, it was observed, has failed
to serve as a means of transmitting the main ingredients of our culture to the
younger generation. The cause of this is that the formal school system has
tended to bleach out the tangible elements of culture because most of what is
taught and done in the schools does not arise from the bosom of our society.
Yet, true education is a means of equipping the individual to relate more
effectively to his environment. In Nigeria, however, it can be said that
presently, formal education marginalizes the knowledge of our traditions and
the present deterioration in our university system would adversely affect the
preparation of the children for the technological age.
The Dialogue noted that an overemphasis on paper qualification by the
society has led to a craze for admission into tertiary institutions. As a result,
the number of students seeking admission into these institutions far outstrips
the spaces available for them and many of those in our universities are not
necessarily suited for the positions they occupy in those universities.

The issue of women education was also considered. The consensus was that,
if the preferential treatment of quota system being advocated in some
quarters, especially for women, were de-emphasized, womens natural
brilliance and academic competence would emerge more clearly. It was
generally agreed that women are not academically inferior to their male
counterparts.
The centralization of the admission process also came in for criticism. In the
opinion of participants, admission into the university should be decentralized
to allow for relatively easier access to the Universities by those who are
academically competent and eligible.
The plight of lecturers within the University system was also examined. The
consensus of opinion was that the lot of University teachers is a poor one
compared to what obtained in the past. Their low productivity today as well
as the moral laxity within the community might well be the outcome of such
a demoralizing situation. However, it was pointed out that, if the plight of
University teachers is poor, that of teachers at lower levels of the educational
ladder is very poor indeed. If Nigeria must improve on its formal socializing
process for the youths, the present trend will need to be drastically reversed.
Of equal importance is the need, at the primary and secondary school levels,
to provide the youths with proper guidance and counseling service to help
them realize that admission to tertiary institutions or the securing of
certificates is not the most important thing in life. Parents must also be
advised to put less pressure on their children by stopping the practice of
forcing them into professions that they as parents see as the only marks of
success.
Education needs to be made more socially relevant by emphasizing the
productive aspect of knowledge. Participants were of the opinion that
education should be an instrument for preparing youths to face the realities
of existence. In effect, everyone should be made to realize that he is a
potential employer of his or other peoples labour. One of the goals of
education should therefore be the stimulation of the students imagination,
initiative and creativity as this is the only way that youths can be prepared
for national development.

With regard to the problems of students, it was noted that these have
changed considerably from what they used to be in the past. The Dialogue
categorized them into four:
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.

Academic
Welfare
Social
General

On the academic problems of students, the need for some form of

democratization was highlighted. Some participants suggested, for instance,
that students could be involved in academic planning, and encouraged to
make useful inputs into the development of the academic curricula. After a
long debate, the participants agreed that there was really nothing harmful in
students representatives being invited to be members of curriculum
committees at the tertiary level.
With respect to students welfare, it was noted that the era of government
subsidy for food and other amenities is gone for good. Privatization of hostel
accommodation may be worth considering however. Given the present
situation of structural adjustment and the need to reduce the level of social
expenditure, students would need to give a hand in the provision and
maintenance of welfare facilities. Cooking facilities lying idle in universities
can be reactivated by the students to prepare their own meals on a collective
basis, thereby reducing exploitation by food vendors. Work-and-study
programmes of various types can be introduced into our universities not only
to provide a source of stipend for some students but also to help poorer ones
complete their courses. Such programmes will also serve to inculcate
responsible work ethic in most students.
On the social problems confronting the students, the Dialogue noted the
inadequate recreational facilities available to them. This is bound to have a
negative effect on the development of the imaginative and creative
capabilities of students. This inadequacy has tended to turn the majority of
students into what are called triangular students, that is, students whose
daily existence is simply one of a journey between the lecture room,
cafeteria and back to the hostels. This creates, for most students, a state of
constant tension and leaves them bottled up with numerous frustrations. This
may even explain some of the unnecessary riots on our campuses. Therefore,
the authorities need to pay more attention to the provision of adequate

recreational facilities on the campuses of our tertiary institutions to aid

interpersonal interaction among students and help in relieving unnecessary
tensions and frustrations.
The present level of moral laxity and turpitude in the relationship between
female students and university lectures was decried and condemned. The
Dialogue did not think it necessary to specify moral standards for University
lecturers in their relationships with the society at large. But, participants
were unanimous in their view that sexual relationships with female students
are wrong. Lecturers must respect their position of being in loco parentis to
students under them. The fact that some female students actively entice them
is no excuse for them to commit improprieties. It was also agreed that it was
morally wrong for other adults outside the universities to continue to use
their relative affluence to corrupt the youths and have the temerity to
condemn lecturers for the same lapses.
While the Dialogue took cognizance of the fact that student unrest was not
unique to Nigeria, it observed that the two most important groups that have
been able to take government to task for political grievances over the years
have been students and organized labour. In most cases, Nigerian students
have been those concerned with issues that affect the larger society. The
Dialogue therefore noted that student unrest could be categorized into two:
those caused by the students themselves and those caused by the authorities.
In both instances, the lack of effective communication between the
authorities and the students is regarded as the principal cause. Moreover,
whatever the cause of any student unrest, there are always staff sympathizers
and their role in fuelling the crisis can be critical.
The Dialogue consequently emphasizes the need for the authorities of
tertiary institutions to seek a closer understanding of the psychology of
students who want to be treated as responsible adults. In most cases, it is
when they are not so treated that trouble erupts. The lack of that extra bit of
concern by those who administer students affairs can be all that is needed to
provoke a demonstration. It was suggested that regular and constant dialogue
and discussions need to be held with student leaders to gain their confidence.
The minutes of such meetings should be recorded for future reference. As
much as possible, the Committee of Vice-Chancellors should be used by the
university managements to compare notes as to which strategies have proved
most efficacious in dealing with students problems and student unrest.

Detailed analysis after such unrest could prove extremely rewarding in

indicating what to avoid when future crises are building up.

Youth and the Political process

It is becoming imperative to enunciate the broad direction and guiding
philosophy of the Nigerian political process. Youths must shy away from the
present pessimism about the system and assume a more positive role within
the political process. Youth must also accept as their primary responsibility
the need to act as catalyst for improving and changing the system. To do
this, they must be cognizant of the fact that youths, as defined earlier, form
the largest voting bloc. Therefore, they must seek to overcome their
indifference and vote solidly for men and women of character, probity and
integrity. Youths cannot afford to play the role of opportunists within the
system.
It devolves on the youths to form themselves into groups and engage in the
enlightenment of the masses generally about the potency of their voting
power. Such an effort must focus more on the grassroots, that is, at the local
government levels, where the youth should participate actively in the current
attempt at organizing the people into community development associations,
and stimulate such associations not only in engaging in their own
development but also in serving as effective watchdogs of the political
process.
The participants agreed that two types of changes are possible, viz:
fundamental change and reformist change. While acknowledging the overaching potency of the forces that the youths will always confront, the
Dialogue stressed that youths can only succeed in reforming the social
system by refusing to be conformists. The present transition programme of
the federal government might not meet their aspirations, but they can choose
to impact on the process by presenting alternative plans of action specifically
by refusing to be co-opted into the corrupt practices of the system.
The uphill nature of the task demands that the youth must see themselves as
people called upon to propel the society towards a new horizon. The fact that
they too possess the ability to effectively manage public resources and
develop a sense of responsibility is attested to by the presence of a number
of Military Governors and elder Heads of State in the historical experience
of Nigeria who, during their tenure of office, equally handled such positions

when they could be identified as youths. There is thus a strong need for
youths to move away from complaining and talking about the decadence and
paralysis of the system to adopting the stance of practical doers who want to
effect a change of orientation and attitude towards and within the political
process.

Value System and the Youth

Given the idealism usually attributed to and associated with their age range,
the Dialogue observes that more and more youths are becoming tools of
religious demagogues who are turning them into fanatics. Worthy of note in
particular is the rate at which university campuses are fast becoming
breeding grounds of religious crises. Consequently, there is a strong need to
inculcate in Nigerian youths the values of religious and private and personal
way of life, a means of organizing ones life to make it more meaningful and
purposeful, and directed towards the attainment of higher goals within the
community.
The Dialogue then called on religious preachers to mellow down their
language when preaching and to desist from denouncing other religions.
Conversion to ones religious belief should be seen as a question of
persuasion based on the acceptance of a superior logic and not as a zero-sum
game, in which the gain of one religious group is necessarily the loss of the
other.
In a similar vein, the Dialogue agreed that there is need to reiterate the
secular nature of the Nigeria nation-state at all times. Therefore, participants
suggested that government should distance itself from everything that
smacks of religious partisanship. It was suggested, for instance, that
government should stop henceforth the subsidy to pilgrimages of the two
religions since it does not do anything similar for traditionalists and
agnostics. Pointing to the experience of Lebanon, the participants reemphasized that religious war is a war Nigeria might not survive. It should
be avoided at all costs.
Nonetheless, it was agreed that at this stage of our national development
Nigeria cannot afford to be a non-religious country. The virtues preached by
all religions have a common strand and should thus be used to effect a reorientation in the thinking of the youth. By stressing the virtues of honesty,
hard work, integrity, service, and moral uprightness as the keystones of

civilized existence, all religions can provide valuable support to national

development effort.

Youth and the Work Process

In view of their abundant energy, the youths, the Dialogue recognizes, are
better placed than older people to impact more meaningfully on the work
process. To achieve such impact, however, their exposure to the work
process must begin quite early in their lives. To help the youths realize the
best in them, there is a strong need to bring up children in Nigeria in such a
way that they will be exposed to the task of ordinary life. The idea of
sheltering youths from the harsh realities of life only to expose them later in
life to these same conditions can be counter-productive.
Modernization and urbanization are seen as responsible for the
fractionalization and polarization presently pervading the orientation of our
youths to work; a situation that was not open to youths in the traditional
society. The situation is not likely to be improved by the new 6-3-3-4 system
of education, which seeks to divide young people quite early in life to those
destined for manual and those for mental work. The Dialogue was
unequivocal in stressing that no youth should be spared physical work and
all levels of our educational system must strive to inculcate in youths a
strong appreciation of the dignity of labour.
To this end, it was suggested that all educational institutions should devise
programmes that will compel students to spend at least two hours daily
farming on their school or college farms. This will change the orientation of
the youth towards physical work and the work process in general, as well as
solve parts of the students food problems.
However, it was agreed that since youths are a part of the labour force, a
discussion of youth and productivity is better left till a later Dialogue, which
is designed to deal with the issue of labour and productivity.

Youth and Creativity

The Dialogue observed that creativity is a function of the state of mind. A
tensed youth is not likely to be very creative in terms of exploiting
opportunities, being imaginative or being resourceful and adventurous. For

that reason, the participants recommended that youths be provided with

ample facilities for recreation that will enhance their mental capability and
capacities and release creative energies that have been dammed up for so
long.
It was, however, recognized that, for this to happen, considerable resources
would need to be allocated towards the provision of facilities necessary to
create the appropriate climate to enable the youths undertake deep
reflections. While government has a strong part to play in this regard, it was
agreed that these facilities be rooted more in the local communities such that
the latter can exert strong pressure on government to ensure continuity of
resources allocation for running the facilities not as government property,
but as the property of the community. The will also enable the community
take a more positive and concerned attitude towards the maintenance of such
facilities.
The existence of such facilities in every community should take most youths
off the road, and guarantee them places where they can usefully interact,
relax and cool off when they do feel frustrated, alienated and agitated. It will
also assure them of a place where, in case of crisis, they can meet to discuss
and argue out approaches to a situation instead of engaging in futile and
confrontational demonstrations. More importantly, such facilities, by
providing a forum for continuous and varied interaction among youths, can
become the seed-bed for the flowering of their creative talents.
Furthermore, participants took cognizance of the fact that the creativity of an
individual is a function of his background. They also agreed that the
strongest incentive to creativity is the recognition given by the society at
large and the rewards of the creativity itself. Consequently, it was suggested
that an institution be set up to collate and exhibit the products of the creative
efforts and inventions of youths so as to further encourage them to strive for
greater achievements.
Youth and Leadership
On the issue of what concept of leadership is prevalent among Nigerian
youths, it was suggested that, given the diversity of situations in the country,
it was necessary first to distinguish between leadership and rulership.
Leadership was conceptualized as implying a shared direction between the
leaders and the led while rulership is seen as a unidirectional flow of

authority from the ruler to the governed. Participants agreed that every
society gets the sort of leadership it deserves. Since the youths are products
of a society that is largely corrupt they are bound to be influenced by the
corrupt practices of their elders. Corrupt practices have therefore permeated
the leadership of most youth organizations particularly the students union of
tertiary institutions.
To have a moral standpoint in their presentation of alternative forms of
leadership, youths must, therefore, resolve to rise above the prevailing
corrupt practices and, where they offer themselves for leadership positions,
they must be prepared to lead an exemplary life even though the negative
circumstances around them may be overwhelming. Only in this way can
youths begin the task of reform to give Nigeria true leadership in the future.
The courage to stand up for justice, honesty and truth is a critical trait for a
leader. More than this, youths cannot afford to defer everything to the
appointed leadership. Astute and vigilant followers are needed to ensure that
the ideals of leadership are not inverted and that the goals that both the
leadership and the followers are pursuing are kept constant on the horizon.
Youths and their various organizations must therefore be ready at all times
to bring to book corrupt leaders within their ranks and be vigilant in defence
of moral integrity.
On the question of how well do the youths assess the eligibility of
individuals who put themselves forward as their leaders, it was recognized
that, whilst still students, most youths are impressionable and cannot easily
decipher the real motives of many of their colleagues seeking power.
However, participants noted that most leadership aspirants could be
categorized into two groups: individualists and collectivists.
Individualist aspirants are those who, more often than not, seek power for
selfish ends and are easily prone to corruption. Such aspirants tend to be
most vocal in chastising and accusing incumbent leadership and authority of
various misdeeds, often peddling misinformation to incite their followers.
Upon assumption of office, such a leader quickly isolates himself from his
constituency and shrouds his actions from the knowledge of the electors.
The collectivist aspirant, on the other hand, tends to move more within his
constituency. Rather than alienating and isolating himself from his
constituency, he establishes a close rapport with them through constant

dialogue. Therefore, collectivist aspirants are less likely to be corrupt and

unresponsive to popular demands.

Conclusion
In conclusion, the Dialogue noted that what the present generation wants is
not substantially different from the desires and yearning of the older
generation. The only difference is the changed circumstances in which these
desires and aspirations are set. For example, the older generation was
brought up in a family situation of scarcity occasioned by the presence of
many children clamouring for limited resources. Although one child might
not have enough, the generality of the situation makes all the children
usually satisfied. For the present generation within the affluent families, the
child is more often than not loaded with more than he requires. As a result,
he never really learns the proper management of the resources and so tends
to fritter them away. This, it was noted, does not encourage resourcefulness
on the part of such modern child. Where scarcity exists, the pull and milieu
of the society had changed.
At any rate, what the present situation in the country calls for is a greater
understanding of the fact that each generation has its own role to play in the
development of the society. Youths with ideas have the duty of seeking out
their uncles, fathers or relations who are either politicians, bureaucrats,
military men or policy makers and engaging them in dialogues to impress on
them their own points of view. This need not involve recriminations and
accusations but should be a conscientious attempt at mutual understanding.
The process might be long and tedious, the result might be painfully slow,
but the tenacity of purpose with which individual youths pursue these
objectives will eventually determine how useful it proves. It is only those
who endure to the last that will gain the understanding and wisdom that are
the prerequisites for successful leadership of their generation and the
necessary development of the country.

Opening Remarks
by

Chairman, Africa Leadership Forum

Normally, I do not deliver a written welcome address at any of the Farm
House Dialogues. But this is a special Dialogue with a generation mix and a
special focus. Our subject this weekend is Youth and Development. If our
youths have no vision of the future and development, then Nigeria has no
vision of the future and development, because you, the youths are the future
Nigeria and future Nigeria is you.
Let us not turn this Dialogue into a recrimination exercise of what the past
generations have done wrong or have failed to do. If our own generation and
the generations before us had done everything right, we would not be here
and you may not have the challenge and the excitement of creating a better
future and a better Nigeria.
What philosophies or ideals must inform and shape the future of our youth?
Should it be the ideal of the me generation or conscienceless generation
or check-out generation or destructive generation? If the youth were born
and raised within a Nigeria that cannot offer them what they want
collectively and individually, cant they bound themselves together to
constructively create the Nigeria they want? I am not advocating their
turning against their past and the foundation of their birth and their
upbringing, but they should ask questions without being disrespectful and
destructive. They must be encouraged to break from the unprogressive,
backward and passive past. Mind you, I do know that, to a surprising extent,
young adults feel lost without heroes, without guidance and without
opportunities. I am not asking them to obliterate the past but to distil it and
take the best out of it for the foundation of the edifice of the future. Neither
am I asking them to go into the mould of paralyzing conformists. For
instance, it is out of my own distillation of the past that I abhor ethnic
politics and religious intolerance. It is out of my distillation of the past and
vision of the future that I embrace agricultural and food production as the
mainstay of our economy and prosperity and I throw myself headlong into it.
Young people are normally confused and even more so in a confusing
society. In trying to establish a new system, a new order, a new orientation,
youths must seek to anchor such establishment and supporting points in the

society. They may be uninspired by the collective performance of past

generations, but have they really been unmitigated disasters? What are the
expectations and anxieties of the youth and how can their fears be allayed?
As the future of Nigeria, the youth must have ideas and ideals about the
Nigeria of their thoughts. They must search and secure an intellectual
underpinning for it and they must work assiduously for it. We cannot talk of
Youth and Development without talking of value systems that have common
strands in Nigerian culture. Let me challenge you to one ideal full release
of human energy for democratization of political, economic and social
processes in Nigeria for integration and development of Nigeria and
discipline, prosperity and contentment of all Nigerians.
Our young men and women must be thinkers and doers constructive
thinkers and positive doers. That is what is demanded of them to bring about
the Nigeria of their dream. I believe that a small group of thoughtful,
positive and committed citizens imbued with vision can be a catalyst for
change if not the author of change itself.

Opening Address
by

Chief Osita Okeke,

Chairman of the Dialogue,
I shall commence this address by narrating my experience some twentyeight (28) years ago, almost to the date. I had been elected President of the
National Union of Nigerian Students (NUNS) in July 1960, during the long
vacation. Tertiary institutions of learning resumed from the vacation in
October the Independence month. We, as students, had participated
cooperatively with Government in various activities commemorating the
momentous event, serving as ushers to foreign delegations among other
activities. There was electricity in the air! The overwhelming pride of
attaining full, unimpaired nationhood, of no longer being colonial vassals,
was intoxicating. Less than a month after this singular event however, it
emerged, first of all, from the grapevines, and later, through confirmed
reports in the media and from official sources, that Nigeria had executed an
accord with the unmourned and just departed colonial overlord, Britain. This
accord, known as the Defence Pact, granted Britain unlimited overflying
rights across Nigerian territory. It did more as it also allowed British troops
to be stationed in Nigeria and to be guaranteed landing rights within hours of
the placement of a telephone call by the Prime Minister to the Minister of
Defence requesting to do such. Any undemocratic government desiring to
perpetuate itself in office against the sovereign will of the Nigerian people
now had a veritable instrument for achieving that objective. What is more,
the colonial masters now had an avenue for re-emergence Neo-colonialism
and imperialism par excellence. The imperialists had previously ensured that
our economy was vastly dependent on, and totally supportive of theirs, now
they had a Pact in hand guaranteeing that they could enforce that perfidy
through military might. They had a Pact through which they could always
enthrone and prop up the Nigerian Government of their liking, a
Government that would always promote British interests. What followed is
now history, no matter how distorted details of individual roles have been
rendered. I issued a clarion call to all Nigerian Youths and Students
demanding that we march! The Central Labour Organizations, the
Nigerian Youth Congress (NYC) and students of all institutions of higher
learning whether affiliated to the NUNS or not responded and we descended
on Lagos. We won the day with the fatherly cooperation of the Governor

General our Own Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, the Owelle of Onitsha. The
Defence Pact was abrogated!
This victory left many law enforcement agents thoroughly peeved. In
particular, one expatriate Chief Superintendent of Police, South African
born Mr. J. D. Wilson, who led the riot control forces on duty that day, could
not be consoled. He marked us, the leaders of the demonstration, very well!
So that when, in the early months of 1961, I again invited the same coalition
of youths to protest the dastardly assassination of Patrice Lumumba, the
promising but very much limited leader of Congolese (Zairean) Nationalists
in power in the newly independent Congo (Leopoldville) i.e. Zaire, Mr. J. D.
Smith (sic!) was waiting for us! After a very solemn and impressive
ceremony at the Iga Idunganran Square, we marched in a lawful procession,
authorized by the Police, and sought to deposit Lumumbas mock coffin at
the American Embassy in downtown Lagos. J. D. Smith, leading a force of
anti-riot police, would have none of that! Permit or no permit, he was
determined to give us hell. He spotted me and clobbered me in the face
several times over. I only managed to get a few slaps, with my bare hand,
across to him in return. As a result of this clobbering, I was hospitalized at
the Creek Hospital, Lagos, which is now used exclusively by the military.
This is where the unsuspected occurred.
A Minister of State in the Government of the day was a patient at the same
hospital. At night, like Nicodemus, he came over surreptitiously to my bunk,
ostensibly to console me, but really his mission was to wean me away from
my allegedly radical and extremist postures. After a mellifluous lecture
on leadership and service to country, he advised me that it is better to live
for your country than to die for it. That was the bombshell! All my life, up
till then, the only definition of patriotism I knew was the preparedness to do
anything, including the heroic act of the supreme sacrifice death for the
good, further development and progress of your country. But here was a
Minister of State to my untutored mind and unopened eyes- the epitome of
patriotism telling me to do all I could to stay alive for my country! I was
twenty-four (24) years old then. I certainly felt deflated, disappointed and
was left wondering how it was that all the works of historical, military and
romanticist literature I had read up till then had striven to let shine the virtue
of being prepared to die, if need be, for ones country and for firmly held
beliefs. I pondered how foolish all my friends at secondary school
Government College Ughelli whom we had applauded and commended
only a couple of years back for joining the military with a view to defending

their country in any moment of trial, would be if indeed what Mr. Minister
told me was gospel truth.
Gentlemen, the plight of our Youth today is similar to my experience. The
generation preceding them, whom they look up to and would like to take as
role models for emulations, fails them. In the event, they are dragged down
from the lofty and healthy heights of idealism, and are mired in the filth and
stench of realism. We fail our youths with our practice and utterances.
Corruption, pursuit of filthy lucre in preference to uplifting past times have
becomes the tenets holding sway now. Ethnicity, of the negative type,
nepotism, discrimination and, what a popular comedian in Anambra State,
Inno Dixon Aniebue calls I.M.M. Ima madu (man know man) constitute
the catechism we have bequeathed to our youths. How sickening!
Envy, greed, gross material acquisition and intellectual arrogance, vanity,
conceit, abject lack of humility, dishonesty, twisted integrity all these and
more, day in day out, we proclaim to the Youths of the world as the high
point of success. We must pause and ponder, before the darkness falls. We
bear out everything W.B. Yeats said and I quote: circling and circling the
widening gyre, the falconer cannot find the falcon, things fall apart, the
center cannot hold, mere anarchy is let loose upon the world.
To curb this anarchy requires a programme of action. In line with the worn
out clich, we might say, a national Policy on Youth is indicated. Along
what lines? Let me cursorily list a few points, as it is my trust and belief that
in the course of this Dialogue, a well-articulated package would result.
First of all, we must seek to perceive the problems of Youths in this country
in the context of a world wide Youth Crisis.
We must realize that, in the developed countries, the population of Youths
citizens in the 18 40 year bracket is comparatively low, about 20% of the
total population, as against the 40% or so recorded here. In Japan for
instance, over 25% of the population will be senior citizens 65 years of age
and above by the year 1995. The current situation is 22%; whereas, in
most developing countries, senior citizens hardly account for 5% of the
population. What is responsible for this dichotomy? We may cite the
benefits of advanced social services. Youths in developed countries can
afford to and do pursue idealism, whereas idealism hardly permeates the life
style of youths in developing countries. The latter are much more concerned
with the essentially mundane pursuits of fending for extended families by

procuring jobs either in the self-employed or employee category. To achieve

this, they are dropping out of school to get apprenticed to entrepreneurs.
There is the absence of an articulated programme to channel the innate zeal
and creatively of the Youth positively, to keep them busy and gainfully
occupied.
The situation is complicated by the disappointing examples, unworthy of
emulation, which are exhibited by the older generation. National service in
Nigeria is aimed at products of the tertiary level of education, completely
excluding and so alienating the much larger products at the primary and
secondary levels, who go no further. What is more, with the apparent fear by
the military brass of possible sensitization of ebullient youth, military
training is excluded from national service, with the loss of a most potent
method of inculcating discipline under fire. I may as well state here that,
with the democratization of the science of gun manipulation, coup makers
are likely to think more than thrice before embarking on frivolous and
destabilizing adventures.
The air is rife with the fear of youths. We exclude them from the
mainstream, for fear that they might ask embarrassing questions and
destabilize us by their actions often highly motivated and purely inspired.
Let me quote from the Dialogue on leadership and Development.
The first challenge of leadership with regard to the concept of
development is how to create or achieve a disciplined society. A
disciplined society must not be assumed to be a repressed society. It is
thus possible to conceive of such a society that gives ample
opportunity for the flowering of independent radical minds.
I couldnt agree more! Given this realism, we must condemn the
highhandedness exhibited in the management of student crises by all the
post-independence regimes in this country without any exception. Such
highhandedness quite often ending in needless and, in terms of resources
expended in the training and development of the casualties, wasteful deaths.
On the inculcation of appropriate values, the Dialogue on Education and
Development says it all:
It was emphasized that concern with productivity and efficiency
should not make the educational process lose sight of the inculcation
in the individual of the equally important attribute of cultivating
excellence in any field of endeavour in which he is engaged. Here, it

was noted that the problem of striving for excellence transcended the
scope of educational concern to embrace the system of rewards and
sanctions to poor performance offered by the society at large. In this
connection, it was observed that the tradition of pleading, whereby
important personalities interfere in the process of sanctions and seek
mitigation to excuse failure, should be actively discouraged. The
educational process should try to emphasize the debilitating effect of
this tradition for any attempt to inculcate the values that make for
excellence. It should further inculcate in our youth the confidence that
success depends on excellence of effort rather than on long legs or
on the important personalities that an individual knows or on the
circumstances of a persons birth. This would not only obviate the
temptation to surrender to failure, but it would also emphasize the
ethics of hard work, fairplay and justice. Uniform standards must be
extolled.
The work going on here is tremendous. Therefore tributes are due, First and
foremost, to General Olusegun Obasanjo, GCFR, Hon LLD; psc; reds,
former Head of State, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal
Republic of Nigeria, International Statesman; world leader of great repute
and integrity, co-Chairman Eminent Persons Group (EPG), Activist and
Motivator wherever he offers an intervention, successful soldier (lacking
only the Field Mashalls baton), farmer, research scholar of significant
production, controversial author etc. This larger than life man of great
humility, conviviality, humour, hard work, honour, integrity and patriotism
has made great waves, far surpassing his considerable size, within these
shores and beyond. We thank him for this initiative, which has enabled us to
congregate for this important dialogue. We also thank his collaborators, first
in the Africa Leadership Foundation and then in the Farm House Dialogue.
One cannot fail to mention among the many, Prof. Akin Mabogunje NNMA
and the man now changing the face of the rural communities. He aptly said
that Nigerias problem lies in our doing LAST THINGS FIRST, or the
other way round. Now he has the opportunity in DFFRI to practicalise his
theses and precepts, and he is leaving a visible mark. To all others involved
in whatever way, please accept our immense thanks and congratulations.
General Obasanjo was the Principal Founding Father (at a rather tender age
then) of the NIPSS, Kuru. May his effort in this new challenge yield a
worthy harvest.
I wish you all successful deliberations.

4
Women in Development
Women make up more than 50% of the Nigerian population. By virtue of
their physiology, women are the givers and nurturers of life. The social
responsibilities that come with this biological function make women a
peculiar force in the overall national growth and development. Hence, their
condition in the society would definitely affect the overall development of
the country. It is unrealistic for any country to marginalize such a large and
important segment of its society and yet hope to make significant strides in
development. Although discussions on national development should
normally be on a non-biological basis, the uneven social development of the
sexes in Nigeria necessitates special efforts aimed at dramatically
transforming the prevailing status of women. This can only be achieved if
the necessary steps are taken to redress the imbalance. The glaring absence
of women in national decision-making positions in Nigeria and their
continued subjugation are, to a large extent, due to their relative
inaccessibility to political and economic power. Although an appropriate
definition of woman attracted wide and diverse views, participants agreed
that it was more useful to define the woman in the context of her role in
development, bearing in mind her special biological function. Hence,
woman was defined as the feminine component of the human species
who, apart from serving as a vehicle for nurturing human life, is also a
produce, a consumer and an equally endowed agent for fostering a
wholesome political, social and economic development in society. The
Dialogue noted that the woman, being the nurturer of life is, by her nature,
the very beginning of the development process. This fact makes it
mandatory for her to be recognized in this allembracing role and to be
appreciated for her ultimate and unique contribution to societal
development.

The factors of development as they affect women

The dialogue identified the cardinal elements of sustainable development as
education, health, culture, politics, economy, agriculture, enhanced
environmental quality, and peaceful co-existence. It proceeded to examine
how far women have been involved in raising the level at which each of

these elements is manifested in the Nigerian society. It also considered what

needs to be done collectively and in different parts of the country to raise
these levels especially as they relate to women. Finally, it evaluated the
impact that enhancing womens contribution to each of these elements can
have on the overall development of Nigeria.

Dimensions of Women Education

Education for development was defined as a life-long formal and informal
learning process. The Dialogue observed that, although they account for
over 50% of the population, women represent a very small fraction of the
educated in Nigeria. Participants noted that, by their peculiar nature and
position in society as mothers, wives, sisters and teachers in the home, mass
education for women is critically needed to prepare them fully for their
inevitable socialization roles. Such education is indeed fundamental to their
preparation for contribution to national development. The Dialogue noted,
however, that the ratio of boys to girls in primary and secondary schools, as
well as in teacher training, vocational and technical colleges, is about 9:4.
The exceptions are recorded in Federal Government-owned schools, where
the ration of boys to girls is 9:16. These variable rations reflect the
prevalence, in different parts of Nigeria, of socio-cultural practices which
discriminate against women education. These practices range from outright
denial of educational opportunities on religious grounds to stereotype
feminine courses that limit womens exposure to various types of
academic disciplines and subsequently to employment choices. These
cultural barriers make them not only the victims of child marriage but also
the first to be eliminated from school if a family is in a financial crisis or
when handicapped member needs care. Besides, they are ready victims of
menial-type service-jobs that give them limited opportunity to attain their
fullest career potentials.
The Dialogue expressed concern at this waste of vital human resources and
was of the view that pragmatic steps ought to be taken to effect concrete
changes. First, at the policy level, government should implement and
monitor its Blueprint on Womens Education. With this in view, an
awareness campaign should be mounted to educate parents on the
advantages of girls education, and encourage the young girls to choose any
course they desire in order to widen their range of career choices. Secondly,
the government must involve and encourage non-governmental

organizations (NGOs) to be involved in the educational process. These

organizations should be surveyed, registered and allocated roles and
responsibilities. This would enable others to share in the promotional and
financial burden involved in education generally but in girls education in
particular. Thirdly, the government must involve women in the decisionmaking levels of administration not only to ensure that they are integrated
into the development process but also to enable the government to monitor
and promote womens participation in all aspects of nation-building. Next,
young Nigerian girls should also be exposed to the activities of various
international agencies as, by so doing, they can gain international exposure
and have access to the enormous resources available with such agencies for
women development.
Finally, the government must provide adequate funding for womens
education and promulgate laws that would give legal backing to womens
right to education in the context of the promotion and protection of
fundamental human rights.

Women and Health in Development

At an earlier meeting of the Farm House Dialogue, good health was defined
as a state of physical, psychological and social well-being that enables an
individual to lead an optimally productive life. Good and adequate medical
care was considered vital to the assurance of good health for the
development of women. Participants observed that women and children as
well as the aged were the most vulnerable group in the society in matters of
health care. It was recognized that the prevailing poor heath status of most
women was a reflection of their low societal status and the general problem
of poverty in the society. Apart from biological problems, women also suffer
from cultural taboos and practices based on superstition. These practices
were identified as female circumcision, mishandling of the umbilical cord at
the birth of a baby, poor methods of child weaning, and several nutritional
taboos. As a result of these and other factors, the incidence of high maternal
mortality rate (17/1000) in Nigeria was observed to be the highest in the
world.
The Dialogue expressed concern that the lack of education in matters of
simple hygiene and preventive health care as well as the activities of a
largely uneducated class of traditional birth attendants, compound the
problems associated with pregnancy, labour and birth. In addition, the

inability of many women to adopt family planning methods because of the

requirement for the consent of their husbands results in a high rate of
unwanted pregnancies, which, in turn, leads to a high level of energy
depletion among women and hence, greater susceptibility to avoidable
illnesses, diseases and deaths.
Participants identified inadequate information and the consequent ignorance
on the part of teenage girls as partly responsible for unwanted pregnancies
and the associated diseases and vices that make them drop out of school.
Resort to surreptitious and quack abortionists, affliction with sexually
transmitted diseases (STD), early marriages and pregnancies, vesico vagina
fistula (VVF), prostitutions, skin bleaching, and drug addiction were
identified as problem areas that inhibit womens effective contribution to
national development.
The Dialogue also observed that the absence of an adequate health care
delivery system makes it impossible for special facilities to be provided to
take care of peculiar women problems such as breast and cervical cancer.
Poor data collection and a lack of adequate statistical analyses for planning
and for demonstrating problems peculiar to women were additional
impediments to ensuring good health for women.
The Dialogue therefore suggested that, since womens health problems are
many and largely peculiar, they should be given special consideration and
funding. Clinics should be established in all the rural and urban centres to
facilitate primary health care delivery, provide adequate maternal and child
care and make essential drugs readily available and accessible. Greater
emphasis should be placed on the creation of the awareness necessary
among women to make women use of these facilities. Women should be
educated on the dangers of drug abuse, as it affects their health and dignity,
and on the hazards associated with such traditional practices and beliefs as
female circumcision and child marriages, which are detrimental to their
health. Family planning, primary health care and nutrition education should
be provided and emphasized to reduce the high infant and maternal mortality
rates.
Special clinics for womens peculiar ailments should be established and
equipped to help diagnose cases like cancer, which is one of the commonest
killers of women today. Traditional birth attendants who represent the
largest number of women at the grassroots patronize these clinics because of

their low cost and proximity. Equally important is the need for parents and
guardians to take a more rational and liberal view of sex education. Young
girls should be made aware of the implications of developing intimate
relationships with the opposite sex outside wedlock. School curricula, it was
suggested, should be expanded to include sex education taken alongside and
patterned after the teaching of hygiene. In addition, more young girls should
be encouraged at the University level to study medicine and paediatrics,
which would make for a wider range of consultant choices especially for
those women who shy away from male medical doctors.
The Dialogue took the position that family support and the sharing of
domestic chores would help reduce the high incidence of mental and nervous
breakdown among women. The traditional African method of taking care of
the aged within the family setting was considered healthy and should be
encouraged. Of far greater importance was the effective participation of
women in the formulation and implementation of health-care policies that
affect women. School curricula must be reviewed and structured at the
various educational levels with a view to enhancing the quality of life and
the status of women in the society. The inclusion of programmes such as
women studies and civics in the curriculum of secondary schools should be
explored.
If women, in performing their natural role as the bearers and nurturers of life
are considered crucial to development, they should be properly equipped to
facilitate the performance of this natural responsibility. Therefore, in
addition to fundamental and basic education, women should educate
themselves on serious issues like politics, culture, government, and the
economy. They must not be left as illiterate or when literate, as individuals
who are indifferent to the running and functioning of their society.

Women And Socio-Cultural Development

Culture was defined as the total way of life of the individual and this cuts
across inter and intra class and gender relations. The culture of a people
therefore informs the orientation of their social norms, attitudes and values
to issues of development. The Dialogue observed that inherent in the culture
of most Nigerian communities are such negative practices as male child
preference, early marriage, dowry collection, female circumcision, negative
attitude to childlessness, demeaning widowhood rites and genderdiscriminating inheritance practices. Participants viewed with dismay such

negative attitudes to women arising from these practices, which affect

societal and individual appraisal of womens self-worth. The result is that
women become conditioned into accepting societal debasements of the type
associated with widowhood rites and selfimposed abuses of the type that
denies female children good nutrition. Even in the urban centers and in
civilized circles, the stereotype gender roles make women overplay their
femininity by accepting that they are the weaker sex, over-emphasising the
dainty nature of their comportment, viewing the ambition of some members
of their sex as ominous and regarding exceptional achievements by women
as an untoward competition with men. Hence, many women feel a sense of
role conflict when their achievements entail deviations from the accepted
norms, especially as their moral probity is often called into question.
Typically, the society suspects them of attaining exceptional heights at the
expense of sexual discretion and honour. The weapons often employed to
force women back to the perceived traditional role include religion and the
application of certain discriminatory civil laws that perpetuate the
oppression of women and denial of certain rights such as free movement and
public appearance, all of which is claimed as sanctioned by religion. Even
certain laws made by government tend to strengthen this socio-cultural
divide by discriminating against women in areas like marriage, divorce,
property rights, taxation, right to passport, law of bail, unequal allowances,
family planning and population control policies, and the response of security
agents to reports of wife battering.
The Dialogue identified dynamic culture as crucial to development. Culturein motion must have the ability to jettison antiquated and negative laws and
practices while emphasizing those positive aspects of our culture, like family
cohesion, that ensure the total well-being of a people. However, in opting for
a dynamic culture, participants expressed concern at the expected side
effects of actions taken towards bringing about changes. It was agreed that
whilst change is desirable, it must be gradual and non-confrontational if it is
to be effective.
The Dialogue was of the view that there was an urgent need to educate the
society as a whole, both men and women, to change their attitude and raise
the level of their cultural awareness in matters of gender. Men and women
need to be re-oriented in their perceptions of womanhood. Children should
be exposed to those aspects of our cultural values that project sisterhood in a
positive light and enhance the conception of a definitive role for women in
the development process.

Participants frowned at the way women are portrayed in the media and in
advertisements mainly as objects of sensual pleasure. While enjoining
women to be more careful and to participate only in programmes and
advertisements that uphold their dignity, participants averred that the focus
of most women columns in the print media, and women programmes in the
electronic media, was too much on what can be described as feminine
fancies. In the opinion of participants, this is not edifying, and neither are
the programmes calculated to raise womens perception of their self-worth
or of their unique contribution to societal development. It was suggested that
more attention be focused in the media on concrete issues capable of
mobilizing and energizing women to realizing the best that is in them. Such
columns and programmes can be better utilized when devoted to
enlightenment campaigns on and about the need to discourage, and if
possible abolish, antiquated practices such as female circumcision, male
child preference, widowhood rites, negative attitude to barrenness, the Osu
Caste system in Igboland, and child marriages.
The media should champion the campaign to abolish all sexually
discriminatory laws in our statute books. They should equally promote and
sustain those values that enhance a high respect for human dignity
irrespective of sex, respect for elders, family cohesion and solidarity, high
personal discipline and strict observance of a moral code.
The Dialogue discussed at length the possibility of establishing an agency to
be known as Ministry of Women Development, which should be charged
with the review of various laws and cultural practices in the society that are
inimical to women development. The institution should also plan and
monitor programmes that would eradicate antiquated values and advance
progressive ones. In addition, it should work hard at, and propose
enforceable legislation to curb, undesirable and discriminatory practices
against women.

Women In Politics, Agriculture And The Economy

It was recognized that the possession of economic strength enhances the
acquisition and exercise of political power. Political power helps
development. Thus, political power was identified as the crux of the efforts
to bring women into the mainstream of development. The Dialogue observed
that the role of Nigerian women in economic activities, even though
significant, has not been accorded the recognition it deserves. Domestic

production, for instance, which is by far the domain of womens economic

activities is largely defined as unpaid labour and is distinct from other
realms of productive activities like agriculture. Yet, women, under the most
strenuous conditions and with primitive tools, do seventy-five percent of the
agricultural work in the country! Their role in other sectors of the economy
is often taken for granted and hence tends to be ignored in the computation
of their contributions to the gross national product (GNP). In other words,
the tendency to grossly underestimate the productive share of women must
be assumed as largely responsible for their virtual exclusion from, or
marginalization in, the political process. Participants noted that such an
exclusion was not a feature of traditional practice in most Nigerian
communities but is largely a product of alien policy adoption, no doubt
related to the fact that, in the so-called formal or foreign derived economic
model, women constitute less than twenty percent (20%) of wage labour
while, in agriculture, they are the exploited victims of male middlemen.
The Dialogue was of the view that this disadvantaged position of Nigerian
women in the economy has been rendered more precarious by the Structural
Adjustment Programme (SAP). The implication is that they are now, more
than ever before, so occupied with matters of daily survival that they have
very little time to organize their involvement in national politics. In short,
the present economic circumstances have marginalized women in the
fundamental process of the allocation and distribution of power and
resources in the nation.
The Dialogue noted that, over the years, particularly since the attainment of
political independence, the contribution of women to the political process
has been progressively diminishing as a result of a number of interrelated
factors. These factors include the involvement of the military in politics, the
contradictions inherent in a dependent capitalist economy and the attendant
dearth of social justice and equity in such a system.
The Dialogue therefore strongly recommended that Nigerian women be
adequately conscientized to participate in the politics of the Third Republic.
In recognition of the link between economic production and political power,
all the productive activities of women should be re-organised, remunerated
and compensated. Socio-cultural and legal structures that inhibit the
increased productivity of women should be developed to make land and
credit facilities more accessible to women who are engaged in agricultural

production. This can also incorporate the re-introduction of subsidies in the

agricultural sector for all farmers, especially for the women.
The participants noted The Better Life for Rural Women Programme as one
of such positives measures needed to alleviate the condition of women.
However, the Dialogue suggested that executors of the programme in the
various states should devise means to help develop local leadership among
women at the community or project level. In addition, womens
organizations should incorporate political education in their programmes so
that women at all levels would be able to fight their double marginalization
based on class and gender. The Dialogue therefore called on women to take
seriously the need to participate actively and effectively in the new breed
politics being implemented towards the emergence of the Third Republic.

Women And The Environment

The Dialogue noted that several factors of development exacerbate the
degradation of the physical environment. For instance, deforestation to
provide fuel-wood and agricultural land; air, water, and land pollution;
erosion, sea incursion, pest invasion, pest invasion, and so on, have all
combined to threaten normal life. Nigeria has not as yet established a large
enough number of industries to add such other hazards as acid rain and
greenhouse effect to our environmentally degraded situation but this can
become a fact of life earlier than imagined if conscious effort is not taken to
forestall such a situation.
The Dialogue identified poverty as the main factor of environmental
degradation in most parts of Nigeria, both in urban and rural areas. Women
are as involved in this matter as men. The women have a special
responsibility for environmental sanitation in most communities. While
noting that there is still much room for improving womens capacity to
discharge this responsibility better, the Dialogue observed that most local
governments have failed to fulfill their own share of the responsibility of
collecting and removing solid wastes to safe landfill sites, and protect
waterways from being fouled by industrial and household effluents.
Similarly, it was noted that, although women have participated actively in
cutting down forests especially for firewood, this was not unrelated to the
difficulty of making kerosene and gas available regularly in urban and rural
areas.

Furthermore, methods of waste disposal, as well as river pollution and toxic

waste dump affect the health of women most. Invasions of pests like
cockroaches and rodents in homes also affect the health of the family.
Participants agreed that these environmental pollutants should be of general
concern and efforts should be made to intensify an enlightenment campaign
for improved environmental sanitation. The Dialogue believed that women
should be the custodians of the environment by being watchdogs and
protectors of environmental quality. It therefore recommended that policies
should be designed that would make funds available at the grassroots to
support the efforts at re-afforestation and environmental maintenance.
Alternative sources of energy such as coal, kerosene, gas and solar energy
should be extensively promoted. Waste collection and disposal should be
taught in schools as part of the knowledge of elementary hygiene. Water is
basic and its place in sanitation cannot be over-emphasised. Bad habits like
dropping waste in the wrong places, the habit of misusing toilets, and
congestion in homes should be discouraged. Much more importantly, the
young must be taught the importance of preserving and planting trees and
keeping their environment neat, beautiful, tidy and clean.

Women, War And Peace

The Dialogue noted that conflict could arise at the interpersonal, familial,
inter-ethnic and national levels. Their resolution at the higher levels is what
politics is all about. However, participants condemned violence, which is
often employed to settle conflicts, since war has serious adverse effects on
the human race in general. Thus, the elimination of war through
disarmament and cooperation are processes that are generally supportive of
development because they would make possible the re-allocation of defence
funds for development purposes.
The Dialogue recommended that the education of children should be
oriented towards nurturing positive values in them and reducing
psychological strains which may be based on geocentricism and other
negative anti-social tendencies. Nigerian women should work closely with
other international women groups towards promoting pacific instincts in the
society and diverting more attention to development issues.

Conclusion
In conclusion, the Dialogue noted that the war against discrimination against
women in all spheres of Nigerian life must be fought not only by women
themselves but also by those men who believe in justice and even
development. Women who want to be at the vanguard of this struggle for
change must practicalise what they preach and radicalize the conscience of
women for structural transformation of society and societal values.
Women must help their sister folk to aspire to greater heights and to support
and vote for those among them who can make a success of a political career.
For, it is only from a position of political strength that women can see to the
formulation and implementation of policies that would enhance their own
development. The Dialogue reiterated that a nation that genuinely desires
development must not keep half of its population marginalized. There fore, it
called on the Nigerian government to help harness all the resources at its
disposal, including especially the crucial contributions of women to the goal
of achieving an enduring development of the nation.
Above all, participants at the Dialogue observed and took cognizance of the
fact that, in realizing the goal of elevating women and increasing their
contribution to the development process, the cooperative and collaborative
support and assistance of both the women and men folk is required.
The Dialogue noted with satisfaction that, in the distant and the immediate
past as well as in recent times, there have been women whose roles and
performance in all walks of life have not only been commendable but also
worthy of emulation. Such women and their works must be placed in bold
relief in the teaching of history in our schools for other women to emulate.
They must be brought into national focus and the fact that they are found in
all parts of the country emphasized. Participants further recommended that
legends that have evolved around some of these women should not be
ignored but should form the material for childrens books and popular
folklores. They play a vital role in stimulating and conditioning the
performance, contribution and disposition of the younger generations to
matters connected with the development and greatness of the nation.

Opening Remarks
by

Chairman, Africa Leadership Forum

I consider the Dialogue of this weekend a special one because of the subject
matter: Women In Development. Women occupy a unique position in all
societies. Theirs is the only physiology configured to give birth to new life.
This is why all of us born of women must regard the issue of women
generally, and particularly in development, as a serious and important issue.
To start with, the old adage that the hand that rocks the cradle rules the
world is very much relevant, particularly in our own condition of underdevelopment. This is even more pertinent when we consider that over fifty
per cent of our population is women. Women are of different ages and
different capabilities and capacities. I believe that it is unrealistic and grossly
wasteful to talk of development while fifty per cent of the actors are not
seriously, meaningfully and effectively integrated, woven and made to
participate actively in the development process.
Education, health, environmental sustenance, family planning and accepted
as the key components of sustainable development.
Education in particular was considered in our previous Dialogues as a
cardinal and central factor of development. Effective and adequate
participation of women in our development process requires that we give a
serious and specific attention to women education.
Good health as a strategic imperative of the development process also has a
special women angle. Biologically, womens health needs and requirements
are different because of their socially imposed responsibilities. The health of
women as human beings, in pregnancy, in child birth and in child rearing
also requires a specific and adequate attention. How can we improve the
health of our women to enable them release the creative energies at their
disposal for the development process? While specific attention must be paid
to these and many more issues such as environmental sustenance, family
planning and population control, equitable distribution of resources,
democratization of access to and popular participation in the democratic
process are also developmental practices in which women are at the centre.

Our environment must be protected against continuous degradation, which

result from our own uninformed actions. Deforestation is one specific
example. The unique role of women demands that they champion the
crusade against environmental abuse. How can we make our women the real
custodian and protector of our environment?
In a similar vein, family planning and population control is an aspect in
which women must lead. Because, if they lead and perform well, we can be
rest assured of success and progress. If they dont, then we cannot talk of
progress or reasonable advance.
The effective participation of our women in the political process must start
with raising the consciousness of our women. They need to participate not
just as voters but also as mainstream actors. How might we raise their
consciousness? Equitable and democratized distribution of our resources
also demands that we work out specific modalities that can assist us in
increasing the participation of our women in industry, in commerce and in
agriculture. For now, the majority of our women are downstream
participants. We need to envision ways and means of making them richer
and better farmers. They must move from the realm of petty trading into the
commanding heights of our commercial network. What are the possible
ways?
Let me point out that our gathering this weekend must be devoted to
evolving practical and possible recommendations. Again, I enjoin you all to
devote only marginal attention to diagnosis and maximum attention to
recommendations that will work. As it is, we have only ten years between us
and the 21st century. We must start now by laying the foundations for our
growth, development and progress in the next millennium.
The next ten years must be devoted to identifying achieveable targets,
moving and confronting headlong the process of laying those foundations
and preparing our youths for building on those foundations.
Finally, I want to remind you of the frank and non-attributive nature of our
discussion. I wish you all a fruitful and engaging dialogue.
Thank you.

Opening Address
by

Mrs Tejumade Alakija

Chairperson of the Dialogue,
General Olusegun Obasanjo, distinguished participants, ladies and
gentlemen. I want to say what a great pleasure it is for me to be here this
afternoon and that I consider it a great honour to have been asked to chair
this Dialogue held at this very important farm, which is fast becoming a
mini-United Nations discussion center. The quick research that I had done
revealed the fact that other more general topics had been discussed in the
past Dialogues organized by the Africa Leadership Forum. The subjects
discussed earlier include: Education for Development, Youth and
Development, Communication and Development, Labour and Development
and Leadership for Development.
Also from my research, women had not been invited to play a significant
role in any of the earlier discussions. However, and before I make my
general comments on this specific topic of Women in Development, I
would like most sincerely to congratulate you, Mr. General, for so ably
coming to the rescue of the continent of Africa in the area of attempting to
diagnose what our ailments are, so that we may perhaps, within the next few
decades, find lasting solutions to our problems. One finds that, in the past,
the various Nations that make up this great continent of Africa, south of the
Sahara minus South Africa, had not paid enough attention to looking into
their basic problems. Rather, they are quick to attribute their difficulties to
the deeds or misdeeds of past colonization. In all honesty, it is my personal
opinion that thirty years after independence, our problems in Nigeria should
no longer be laid at the doorstep of our one time colonial masters.
Having said the foregoing, I would like to make some comments on the
specific topic that we are about to look into, at this particular session of the
Dialogue.
The subject is Women in Development. Personally, I would like to
conceive and discuss development in any nation on a non-biological basis.
In other words, problems of development in a nation should be looked at,
generally, and all its inhabitants should be adjudged able to become

prospective participants on the basis of equality. Unless this is done, no

meaningful achievement can, in my view, be expected from that nation.
To that extent, therefore, a topic like The Importance of Manpower in
Nigerian Development would have, to me, been more relevant. But since
we have to admit that, in the Nigerian context, and up to date, there has been
a grossly uneven development between the two sexes that make up the
population, it then becomes highly relevant that we should concern ourselves
with the contributions that the female sex should and could make to the
development of our nation. Indeed, it becomes a high priority if we are to
believe what the statistics say that women make up about half of the
population of this Nation. For how can we effectively develop this nation if
fifty per cent of our able-bodied inhabitants are practically banned from
meaningful participation in the development process?
It hardly needs an indepth study to be able to see that, up to date, there has
been hardly any involvement of women in the more important arena of
decision making in this country; be it political or economic! There have been
a few showings, of course, in some important posts. In other less important
areas, women participation has been equally minimal. When I got the
invitation to this Forum, I was tempted to do a write-up to confirm the fact
that women had in fact been both ignored and neglected. But because time
would not permit, I did the next best thing and commissioned a write-up by
one of the staff in my University, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. What
has been produced is available for distribution during this session. The paper
has, in my view, done justice to the subject and I commend it to participants
for a closer study. I would suggest that, if participants can spend a few hours
reading the paper in our leisure, it should be among the papers to be
discussed at this Forum in the next day or so.
Historically, there have been quite a number of women, in various parts of
Nigeria, who have been active and had therefore made their mark on the
history of their prospective communities. But these are few and far between.
However, the fact that they had emerged in different parts of Nigeria gives
us the firm belief that the lack of a large number of women in places of
importance today, cannot be because women are inherently incapable or are
unintelligent. Several studies done by sociologists have attributed this
unfortunate lapse to other factors. Some of these have been discussed in the
paper to which I made reference earlier. It is most unfortunate that the
society itself has built up this strong hierarchy of male domination of the

female members. It is found everywhere, in religion and in homes. The

female is made submissive to the male to the extent that it is the men who
lay down the rules and norms, stating the bounds within which a woman,
with decorum, should never go beyond. The fact that, historically, women
had become very active and, in some parts of the country, do become
providers of livelihood could be put down to the laziness of a number of
husbands, who readily enjoy the contribution made by their wives to the
maintenance of their homes.
This evening and during the next twenty-four hours, we will look more
concretely into the reasons why, in spite of the increase in women education
and in spite of the fact that there is no feasible discrimination in admission to
higher institutions and despite the liberation of women in Nigeria, women
still remain largely inactive, especially in the political and economic arena of
Nigeria. I venture to say that, in spite of the women liberation campaign, we
would require the active support of our fathers, husbands, brothers and sons
for any woman to emerge in a position of leadership in Nigeria.
Ladies and Gentlemen, my part as Chairman this evening is only to open
discussion. I therefore invite you to come along with me and do justice to
this subject, which is Women in Development.
Thank you!

5
Labour and Development
In the development context, it is not labour per se that is important but the
productivity of labour. It is the increased productivity of labour that serves
as a catalyst in the process of development. For this to happen, labour must
become more efficient and effective through its acquisition of more and
more skill.
Furthermore, the rigid distinction between workers and the management
must be blurred if labour is to contribute its optimum to development. One
has to look at social stratification as a reality of life and recognize that wage
earners cannot be helped by pulling down the wage owner. Industrial
conflicts need to be minimized by the routinization of good labour relations
and the identification and greater use of those factors in our culture that
make for better productivity of labour.
There is the need to define clearly what is meant by labour. In the past, there
has been a tendency to put an erroneous and rigid line of division between
labour and management. For this reason, it is useful to adopt the definition
preferred by the Ministry of Labour, Trade and Productivity that labour is
bodily and mental work engaged in by human beings. Nigeria cannot afford
to accept solely the definition of labour as proferred by socialist or capitalist
countries. Although one cannot lose sight of the historical evolution of the
opposition between labour and capital, the Dialogue noted that there had
been a movement towards greater democratization of both.
Given the development orientation of this Dialogue, participants agreed to a
definition of labour as any human effort that improves, creates or adds
value to other factors. In other words, labour consists of everyone who does
bodily and mental work. In the development context, the word can be used
interchangeably with human resources. While the social distinction between
employer/entrepreneur and employee, or between management and worker
cannot be overlooked, the main issue is that people are contributing towards
production and therefore adding value to certain things and thereby
ultimately aiding development.

There is an erroneous assumption that productivity applies only to workers

and not to those designated as managers. This notion is highly mistaken and
should be discarded because the creation and improvement of value are
intrinsic in labour productivity in all human activities whether such activities
involve bodily or mental effort. From this perspective, the distinction
between labour and management should be seen more in terms of the roles
played by individuals in the production process. How well both groups act
their parts is also a function of the social environment of work. The example
of Japan was cited where a job is seen as a life long situation, and both the
workers and the management contribute their best to the production process.

The Nigerian Past and the Labour Process

It was observed that, in the traditional Nigeria society, work is performed
either on individual or communal basis. While a person may be indolent in
the performance of individual work, he dare not be lazy in community work
because he would be ostracized. There are proverbs in various Nigerian
languages which stress that he who is lazy shall not eat. Nigerian traditional
cultures, it was noted, extolled the virtues of hard work, honesty,
truthfulness, community feeling of responsibility and accountability, and
high moral standards. These cultures stress that only an honest days work
deserves an honest days pay. There were sanctions to ensure honesty and
the community sought to know the source of suspected wealth. Individuals
were encouraged to regard themselves as their brothers keeper. Lazy people
were ridiculed and even ostracized. The exception perhaps were priests and
priestesses who were allowed to live at reasonable levels of comfort without
much physical labour because they were believed to be busy communicating
with the ancestral spirits and with the gods/goddesses to ensure the safety
and prosperity of the workers.
The Dialogue took the view that the context of work and social justice at
each period in Nigerian history must be examined closely. It was noted that,
before the colonial era, most people were self-employed and therefore saw
the fruits of their labour as important. With colonialism came the system of
wage labour. People no longer felt there was dignity in being a wage
labourer or in paid employment with all the submission to the employers that
it entailed. The sense of justice that gingered people to work hard at the
community level broke down with the advent of colonialism and wage
employment. Working for the colonialist became Oyinbo or European
work. A mentality developed that you did not exert yourself too strenuously

at such labour if it was to last and it was important that it lasted for a long
time. In this way, indolence gradually became a part of the culture of
labour in colonial times. This mentality extended from government work
to even private-sector employment. It was further compounded by a
weakened attitude of honesty, which was expressed in the surprising belief
that the good fortune of any individual can only come through extractions
from some other individuals wealth. Hence, there arose a practice where
workers pilfered things from their places of work without compunction
because they felt that the employers (the colonialists) were uninvited
exploiters who carried away overseas, the gains from the fruits of their
labour.
By independence, labour had become a part of the politically conscious
groups in the country. But rather than see the new government as its own
government, it saw it as if it were still the distant colonial government that
must be spiritedly confronted in the struggle for own welfare and
improvement. Today, a major problem of the Nigerian society is how to
change this negative attitude of labour to government and to raise the low
productivity that it engenders. In this regard, a participant pointed out that:
productivity is (largely) an attitude of the mind. It is a mentality of progress
of the constant improvement of that which exists. It is the certainty of being
able to do better today than yesterday and to continue with this in the days
ahead. It is the continuous effort (by human beings managers and workers)
to apply new techniques and new methods, it is the faith of human
progress
When put this way, it is possible to appreciate the enormity of the factors
militating against the achievement of the highest level of productivity of the
Nigerian labour. What is involved, in brief, is how to restore to the Nigerian
labour the self-esteem that was eroded during the colonial era.
The Dialogue consequently tried to explore the psychological and
philosophical dimensions of the problem to see how the present situation
could be changed. Noting that, in spite of modernization, the Japanese
society has managed to preserve its ingrained cultural practice of respect for
elders, it regretted that Western education has diminished such traits in the
Nigerian. The acquisition of literacy skills during the colonial period
precipitated an inversion of values, such that literate youths felt superior to
the older and more illiterate persons much in the same way that the colonial
officials felt superior to the indigenes. There is, therefore, the need to re-

examine the values being inculcated in children in our educational system.

Parents also need to pay more attention to the proper socialization of their
children and to imbue them with the appreciation of the fine values and
practices of our traditional culture.
Another factor that has affected the Nigerian attitude to work is the easy
access to wealth that became the vogue with the approach of independence.
First, there were the politicians who, in the First and Second Republics,
showed that all that was needed to become rich and comfortable was to win
an election. There was the series of military coups, which together with the
civil war, created a set of military men who became inexplicably and
comparatively wealthier than their civilian peers. Then followed the oil
boom years when, with the Udoji awards, most urban Nigerians developed
an illusion of wealth. With the present collapse of the economy, this
propensity for easy wealth has spawned the cocaine pushers, the drug
barons, the tenpercenters and other economic parasites. All this
development seriously undermined the culture of hard work and honest
living.
Another negative factor in the Nigerian polity is the way the constitutional
principle of federal character is being implemented. Instead of being used to
engender a broad sense of participation among all Nigerian ethnic groups, it
became a vehicle for ethnic chauvinism and discrimination. Its role today
has been to aggravate the sense of social injustice and discourage hard work
and diligence especially in the public sector. The principle has today become
antithetical to the promotion of merit, and this needs not be so. Worse still,
Nigerians have tended to confuse merit with paper qualification, which it is
not. Therefore, this is clearly an area where the country needs to make some
deliberate and overt effort to reconcile merit or track record of performance
with federal character as a basis for enhancing national unity and socioeconomic development.
There is also the need for greater equity in the creation of national wealth as
well as in its distribution. The over dependence of our economy on
petroleum since the mid-seventies, and the consequent marginalisation of
farmers and other primary-sector producers, have to be rectified, if labour is
to once again assume a place of importance in the development of this
nation.

The Dialogue noted that one of the most important factors militating against
the development of this nation is the lack of effective leadership at all levels,
even among organized labour. This lack of effective leadership to mobilize
the norms and values positive to societal growth and development
constitutes a major failing in our national life. It is further aggravated by the
frequent changes of government and the practice of each new one to try to
change our constitution, even when it is clear that such a change would not
address seriously the fundamental problem of our underdevelopment.
Worse still, the style of life of each generation of leadership, whether
military or civilian, ends up alienating the workers and discouraging
diligence and trustworthiness. The wrong people are often placed in
important positions and no sanctions are exacted for their failures or
malfeasance.
The Dialogue noted, with concern, the repeated failures of such government
parastatals as Nigeria Airways, the Nigerian Railway Corporation, NITEL
and NEPA, when private sector-organisations, both national and
multinational, are performing well. Why do public sector agencies fail while
the private sector concerns manage to keep afloat? The infrastructures for
Nigerias progress are certainly already in place, but, somehow, the country
has been unable to make these work effectively. It must be admitted that
leadership in the country has failed if, twenty-nine years after independence,
the nation cannot alter or change or amend any wrongs that were wrecked on
its cultures by their exposure to colonial influence.
The Dialogue also noted that, apart from occasionally clamouring for
improvement in workers pay and conditions of service, the Nigerian Labour
Congress (NLC) has been unable to take overt actions to discipline its
members who run down the establishments in which they work. It was
observed that the NLC hardly openly condemns sabotage by its members,
such as occurred with the damage of NEPA cables and machinery during the
general strike of 1988. Most Nigerian cultures set a premium on hearing
both sides in a dispute and resolving conflicts through dialogue. Hence,
there is the need to strengthen, in Nigeria, an industrial labour relation
culture that sets great store on a free flow of communication between
management and workers to enhance the productivity of enterprises and the
development of the country. It is essential that union leaders ensure that their
members come to appreciate better the mechanism of dialogue and

communication as a means of resolving industrial problems and enhancing

productivity. They must also work closely with the management of their
respective establishments to find ways of channeling our traditional values
of honesty, hard work and community spirit to uplift the dignity and
productivity of labour.

Labour and Productivity

This section of the discussion concentrated on what needs to be done,
beyond the attitudinal changes, to improve labour productivity in the
country. These include changes in the human, technological, environmental,
managerial factors and other aspects that also determine labour productivity.
The human factors include health-care, nutrition, housing, transport and
educational (formal and informal) matters; that is, matters that directly
concern welfare as well as skills acquisition and improvement, otherwise
classified as elements of human resource development. The technological
factors encompass the whole work situation including machinery available
for work, and avenues for on-the-job training, improvement and re-training.
There must be a proper articulation of the set goals and targets to be attained
with the use of machines within a given time frame. Generally, there has
been an absence of a yardstick for productivity measurement in Nigeria.
Time and time-keeping, which are crucial to any industrialized society, are
unfortunately treated with levity in the traditional Nigerian culture because
of its background of essentially peasant production.
The environment of productive activities in Nigeria is determined both by
the society and the government. The extended family system exerts its own
toll on the productivity of labour. The fact that, on the average, each worker
has to bear responsibility for a number of unemployed and unemployable
relations puts some stress and strain on him that are not conducive to high
productivity. Governments policies and legislations can equally be
discouraging to both management and labour. When directors of parastatals
are appointed for political, ethnic and other reasons that have no direct
bearing on the experience and ability necessary for managing such
establishments or when promotions are based on considerations other than
efficiency, productivity of labour is adversely affected. These practices
generally demoralize the worker and impede progress. In the same manner,
legislative measures or a lack of such measures do affect productivity. The
absence of a strong programme on family planning until the recent national
population policy, for example, has affected not only the supply of labour

but also the effective performance of a segment of labour, particularly

women.
The Dialogue noted that, in order to increase the productivity of labour,
attention should be paid to the proper induction of newly-employed workers
and the constant consultation of the total body of employees on matters of
meeting production targets and schedules. The management of
establishments should not wait until a crisis situation has arisen before
engaging in a fruitful dialogue and consultation with the workers union.
The training and re-training of workers should also be taken seriously in
both the public and private sectors of the economy. Research into better
ways of motivating workers to achieve stated objectives must be carried out
on a continuous basis. Replacement of old and obsolete equipment must be
done as soon as its economically feasible. Enterprises should subscribe to
relevant local and international journals and encourage the management staff
and labour to read these as one important method of continuously upgrading
their knowledge. For the much-needed technological transfer to take place,
there is the need for both the management and workers to continuously
exchange ideas on how to improve the current level of knowledge and skills.
The technologists, who repair machinery and equipment, should be
encouraged to think of designing and fabricating spare parts, and to devise
better ways of using machinery and equipment for greater efficiency. This is
one way in which Nigerian enterprises can foster and nurture indigenous
technology.

Remuneration of Labour
The remuneration of labour, of course, includes, apart from the wage, fringe
benefits and allowances such as those for transportation, housing and health
care. At the plant level, some packaged incentives are also used as a part of
productivity schemes.
On wages, the Dialogue took the view that basic wages should be
negotiated, and should be flexible enough to lend itself to easy adjustment in
response to any rise in the cost of living. It was felt that government should
desist from sporadically reviewing wages without adequate consultation
with the private sector. For even where such consultations took place in the
past, the problem of implementation was always overwhelming, as was
evident during the Udoji award, when inflation galloped leading to the
worsening of the situation.

The Dialogue observed that, with the current high cost of living, it is a
mystery that workers earning less than six hundred Naira are able to survive
at all. At present, the lowest paid worker earns N150 per month; so that the
majority of workers do not earn enough to keep pace with inflation rate and
increasing cost of living.
It was felt that social security legislations and schemes to minimize workers
expenditure on such items as healthcare and retrenchment could take some
heat off the wage issue. This means that the State should live up to its
responsibility both as an employer and as guardian of national interest. Such
bodies as the Price Productivity and Incomes Board (PPIB) have been
largely ineffective. It was recommended that this agency be made to
determine what can be defined in the Nigerian context as a living wage, that
is, a remuneration that would put the worker above the poverty line.
Moreover, in order to relieve women workers, the provision of day-care
centres or child-minding arrangements should be encouraged in the bigger
industrial establishments. The practice of stopping workers pay for no
justifiable reason should be condemned as socially unjust and contrary to
principle of guaranteeing the basic rights of workers. A worker should be
able to depend on the principle of an honest days pay for an honest days
job. Government should consider more imaginative policies for reversing
the brain drain of highly educated and skilled people from the country to
other countries especially Europe, North America and Saudi Arabia in
search of more lucrative jobs. Although these workers see themselves as
citizens of the world, these could include more deliberate discussions with
the countries involved to take such migrations that are of a determinate and
nationally regulated duration. In the final analysis, however, political
stability and security, and employment opportunities are the greatest antidote
against brain drain.

Employers and Labour

The Dialogue observed that workers and employers should be seen as
partners in progress keeping faith with agreements and establishing mutual
understanding on a wide variety of issues. Central organizations like the
Nigerian Employers Consultative Association (NECA) or the Nigerian
Labour Congress (NLC) should not be seen as negotiating bodies but rather
as consultants who are required to advise and help their members in
maintaining good labour relations. It is sad to note that the state, as an

employer of labour, does not use these organizations fully to enhance good
industrial relations. In most cases, these bodies are hardly consulted by the
government when taking decisions on critical issues that affect the economy
and require real commitment to increased productivity on the part of
management and labour.
With regard to individual trade unions, the Dialogue noted the importance of
strengthening the culture of making the terms of agreement of any
negotiation, once accepted by both parties, to be mutually binding. Equally
important is the need for the State, as an employer of labour itself, to resist
the temptation of proscribing the consultative status of their central
organization, the NLC. To this end, the Dialogue suggested that industrial
establishments should be allowed by the unions to deduct contributions from
source and forward it directly to the NLC.

State and Labour

The Dialogue noted the need to distinguish between the role of the State as
an employer and the State as a political sovereign entity. In the latter
capacity, the position of the Industrial Arbitration Panel (IAP) and the whole
State apparatus of arbitration, where negotiation has failed need, to be seen
as institutionally neutral and autonomous. It is advisable to stem the present
trend whereby the judiciary is increasingly being dragged unnecessarily into
the settlement of intra-union disputes. Instead of unions rushing to the courts
to settle every dispute, it is better for them to go to the Industrial Arbitration
Panel. The NLC should increasingly play a prominent role in the settlement
of disputes and assist the Ministry of Labour in seeing that the standards of
industrial relations in the country are as good as those set by the
International Labour Organization.
In fact, it was felt that the apparatus for effective labour utilization and
harmonious labour relations is already in existence in the country. Whether
or not it is functioning efficiently is another consideration. The Dialogue felt
that government has the responsibility to obey its own laws. If the interest
of all is to be preserved, individuals who bend the rules out of their vested
interests should be checked
There is need for the State to enhance the formal education of all workers in
order to systematically eradicate illiteracy and improve labour productive
capacity. Already, there is in existence the National Council for

Management Development. A logical corollary to this should be the

National Council for Labour Education, which should also be established.
This Council should establish its own operational organ and training
institutions, which should be separate and distinct from those of the
Industrial Training Fund (ITF). Such a body and its training institutions can
become another contribution of the government to the efforts of the labour
movement to establish Labour Colleges and engage in the development of
workers ability as well as their consciousness of the role expected of them
in fostering the economic progress of this country.

The Work Environment and Work Ethics

The Dialogue recognized the existence of human and structural environment
for the efficient and effective performance of labour. The human
environment consists of the cultural and social background of the workers.
This embraces the totality of the work and home situation within which
workers have to operate. In this connection, the Dialogue considered that the
nation has to give a more deliberate attention to the quality of family life and
the type of socialization to national mores and to the dignity of labour that
individuals get from their home background. There is need for research into
the different systems of family socialization among the different ethnic
groups in the country. The results of such a study should improve our
appreciation of how labour, from childhood, is given basic moral education
and made to internalize the value system of the society. It would also assist
the parents and the society at large to begin to take corrective measures
where defects are identified and in the process, stress the positive aspects of
our culture such as industry, honesty and integrity. The structural
environment refers to the situation in the work place. It relates to the
network of relations within the place of work, which ensures that work is
efficiently done at all times. In recent times, there has been growing interest
in what is called assertive training which can be employed to enhance the
efficiency of the workers environment. This training is intra-organizational
and seeks to create a situation whereby, if the formal or official head or
leader of an operational unit is not around at any point in time, the network
of relations will be such that an informal leadership would evolve
automatically to ensure the smooth running of the place and the achievement
of the production target. The Dialogue recommended that this style of
management-labour relation should be explored further in the country as a
means of achieving higher production levels and placing industrial labour

relations on a level appropriate to the developmental aspirations of the

country.
On a more mundane level, it was suggested that greater attention should be
paid to the safety and sanitary conditions of the work environment. The
Inspectorate Division of the Ministry of Labour, which has the responsibility
for ensuring this, needs to be more rigorous in its efforts. A publicity
campaign should also be mounted to educate workers and the population at
large about common industrial accidents and safety measures available just
as is done with road safety. It was noted that the agency in the Ministry of
Labour responsible for these functions has always been understaffed and
therefore needs to be greatly strengthened.
Apart from the home and the place of work, there is the need to look at the
national environment within which individuals have to work. The
deforestation of most of the country, the oil spillage in most riverine areas
and the deposition of toxic wastes all over our urban centres, all deserve
more serious attention from the government than has been evident to date.
Although the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing has the responsibility
for environmental protection, the nation is yet to feel the impact of its
activities in this regard except for the splendid job done to remove the toxic
waste dumped in Koko years back by an Italian group. In addition, there is
virtually no effective control over the importation of various chemicals and
toxic substances into the country. In the case of fertilizers, in most cases, its
application to soils is done without proper soil analysis to ascertain which
chemical or fertilizers are suitable to each area. In fact, some scientists have
suggested that the present invasion of the nations lagoon systems by water
hyacinths may be due to the seepage of elements from chemical fertilizers
into these waters. Clearly, there is the need for a more concerted national
effort to enhance the quality of the working environment of citizens whether
in the rural or in the urban areas of the country.
With respect to work ethics, it was stressed that the easy way through which
some people made money has made many Nigerians lose their sense of
purpose and direction. For the work ethics in Nigeria to change, there is need
for the nation to be seen as striving to ensure that everyone is gainfully
employed. There are still many avenues for gainful employment of labour
that are yet to be explored. For example, many people can be employed to
plant trees to prevent desertification and prevent deforestation or to set up
plantations. The Dialogue recommended that there should be a deliberate

effort by the government to encourage such tree planting activities. Apart

from providing shades, such planted trees can serve to beautify our cities, to
check wind erosion and to collect toxic gases from the atmosphere. The
country can at least practicalize the campaign of ensuring that one tree is
planted to replace every tree cut in the process of land clearing. Parks and
gardens can also be established in our cities and appropriate policy packages
can be put together to encourage a more sustainable programme of housing
development. All of this would help to increase employment opportunities in
the country and facilitate the evolution of a more developmentoriented
work ethics.
At the workplace, the method of selection of individuals for particular jobs
should also be closely examined in terms of its effects on work ethics. Those
who must supervise or monitor the performance of others must be people
who could be respected for their own competence. The issue of job security
is also crucial to the observance of ethical standards. The Dialogue observed
that people are not likely to give the best that is in them, or be very honest, if
there continues to be job insecurity occasioned by unceremonial sacks such
as those announced over radios and televisions without a prior warning to
the workers concerned, irrespective of the terms of employment.
The Dialogue also felt that there is a need to monitor the performance of
workers. In the society at large, the Dialogue advised that the law
enforcement agency should take more seriously issues connected with the
safety and sanctity of life in the country. The new development whereby
assassins are sent to liquidate colleagues or business associates is certainly
not conducive to efficient work. Apart from the negative aspects of such
social menace on children and the society at large, potential foreign
investors would be frightened away, while the general economic
development of the country will be adversely affected.

What is Labour?
Although an attempt was made at the beginning of the Dialogue to define
labour as any human effort that improves, creates or adds value to other
factors, it was observed that the supply of labour is usually determined by
the population of the country, particularly the population of those within the
age group of 15 to 64 years. These are the economically active people
whether or not they are actually working. The 64-year limit is of special

relevance to work in the modern sector of the economy since it is assumed

that, beyond this age, the productivity of a worker diminishes and he needs
to retire. However, for the self-employed people, especially those engaged in
the informal sector of the economy, work often continues until death or until
the individual no longer have enough energy for work.
Notwithstanding these distinctions, the Dialogue noted that, in any country,
labour also embraces groups that are not usually given adequate
consideration. Such groups include the handicapped, the unpaid, the
unorganized children, and housewives, and the unemployed.
Handicapped people can make their own contribution to development, if the
society will accept rather than pity them. The ILO convention recommended
that about 2% of employment in any country should be reserved for the
handicapped. Although a party to the convention, Nigeria is yet to give
substance to this recommendation. A labour legislation to this effect needs to
be enacted soon and various programmes developed to implement the
provisions of such a legislation. The Dialogue, of course, recognized that
employing handicapped labour entails special investment both to make their
work and participation possible and to reduce their liability to accidents.
Industries and employers of labour should make ramps available instead of
steps. Also special toilets, and other facilities may need to be provided. In
addition, equipment for the disabled, such as wheel chairs, Braille
typewriters, hearing aids, etc, should be subsidized to make them available
at affordable prices. It was noted that the Federal Ministry of Social
Development gives annual subventions to voluntary organizations that aid
the handicapped but the amount is hardly enough to meet their demand.
There is the need for a well-articulated national programme for training the
handicapped. This should not be seen as a residual social service to be left in
the hands of voluntary organizations. There is also the need to harmonize
such training and place the responsibility under one Ministry either Social
Development or Education instead of the present confusion whereby the
schedule in the States is in one or the other Ministry.
In the computation of the gross national product of the nation, there is
always some consideration for unpaid work, such as the work of wives and
children on the farms and food processing, which are carried on by women
within the household. The labour of children helping their parents to sell
wares is also not usually paid for. This category of labour also includes all
labour which is not paid for but which can be valued at market price;

examples being the labour expended by volunteer workers and others like
them. Although such labour needs not be transformed into paid labour, the
society should encourage more and more of such useful but not wageoriented labour in order to enhance the quality of life of its members.
Non-organized labour refers to the category of labour that consists of people
who are mostly uneducated, unskilled or who have no information about
other people doing similar jobs, or how they can come together as an
organized body to further their interests. An example of such unorganized
labour is the group of illegal immigrants, popularly referred to as illegal
aliens, who cannot get into trade unions. In some cases, these aliens are paid
less than the going rate for their respective jobs. There are also cases where a
trade union organization is denied by law to certain groups of workers. A
notable example is the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). In
general, unionization is recognized as a means of minimizing the wanton
exploitation of labour in the process of development. For this reason,
government should as much as possible, encourage all categories of labour
to organize themselves to protect and further their interests as a group.
The employment of youths whose ages are below the legal age (15 years) of
labour is regarded as child labour. Traditionally, children have always
helped their parents at work both in the home and on the farm. In modern
times, however, schooling has reduced the size of such child labour in many
parts of the country. However, the reality of the present economic woes and
the mass unemployment in the country have made it necessary for many
more parents to fall back on the service of their children to make ends meet
and ensure survival. In many cases, mothers put wares on the childrens
heads to sell after school hours. There are even cases of those who have to
withdraw their children from school and send them out to lend a helping
hand at home or on the farm while their mates are in school. The harmful
effect of this practice, especially on the development and future career of
these children, cannot be over-stated.
The Dialogue agreed that there is a need to awaken the government to its
commitment to the peoples welfare. There is need to enforce existing
legislations against child labour and street trading by children but this can be
successful only if abject poverty is reduced in the society.

With respect to women, the Dialogue noted that the usual practice now is to
encourage working women, especially those in the formal sector, to
participate actively in trade unions. The United Nations has given advice on
the involvement of women in trade unions. For the past 30 years, women
have been very active in Nigerian trade unions and there is no longer any
need for special pleadings on their behalf on this point. However, it was
observed that, in many enterprises, women are still subjected to one form of
discrimination or the other. In the present situation of mass unemployment,
employers prefer to employ men rather than women on the excuse that men
are the bread-winners whereas the number of households headed by women
have been increasing in the society in recent times. Even when employed, a
woman has to work twice as hard as her male counterpart before she gets
promoted. In some cases, women face health hazards at work, e.g. Varicose
veins among nurses and teachers who have to stand for long at work,
inhalation of chemicals that could cause miscarriages, irregular menstrual
cycle among airhostesses, and other discomforts. In addition, the Nigerian
tax laws impose a heavier burden on women than on male workers, because
child relief is usually not given to the women. For the self-employed,
women have problems in getting access to capital and credits.
If development in Nigeria must be further enhanced, it is essential that any
traditional or cultural practice that inhibits the full participation of women in
the labour force must be checked. Examples of such practices include the
early age of marriage of between 9 and 15 years for girls in some parts of the
country. Up to the mid-1960s, this practice was common in Igboland. It is
still the case in the northern parts of this country. The health hazards of such
early marriages are many, and it is important for government to embark on a
more vigorous programme of training and education of such teenagers while
also enacting legislations to make it a crime for parents to withdraw their
children from schools for the purpose of giving them out in marriage.
The Dialogue further noted that many more Nigerians, both males and
females, are employed in what is now popularly referred to as the informal
sector. The International Labour Organization (ILO) stipulates that any
enterprise that employs less than ten people belongs to this sector. Those
enterprises also tend to have a low level of capital investment and are
usually not registered as businesses. They are engaged in such activities as
cottage industrial production, mechanical repairs, food processing and so on.
Some of these enterprises have been most ingenious in their production.
There are, for example, the well- known implements fabricators in Aba and

the motor spare parts makers of Nnewi. Currently, the Institute of

Productivity Development and PRODA in Enugu are helping the enterprises
to achieve greater improvement in the quality of their products and in the
maintenance of their equipment. There is the need for the government to set
up a special Enterprises Promotion Board to assist these small-scale
establishments. It is also important for the government to take an interest in
the work environment and labour relations in these enterprises so as to
restrain the extreme forms of exploitation that have been noted among them
in other parts of the world.
Finally, there is now an increasing number of school leavers and graduates
who are unemployed and who must be provided with jobs.
In addition, large numbers of people are being prematurely retrenched or
retired as a result of the structural adjustment of the economy. Even where
people are employed, under-utilisation of industrial capacity is also giving
rise to the phenomenon of under-employment. Therefore, avenues for job
creation for the unemployed have to be created and actively developed.
These could be through such projects as standardizing the gauge of our
railway lines, engaging in public housing schemes, planting of trees,
expanding agriculture or embarking on such social work as caring for
disabled people and the aged. Such projects usually stimulate the growth of
numerous informal sector activities, which, in turn, create a lot of jobs for
the unemployed.
The government can also plan to put a large number of the unemployed to
work on uncompleted and abandoned projects and can also use them for
general environmental improvement. The latter, by indicating a new national
consciousness in matters of the environment, can attract funds from abroad
especially from Japan and the Nordic countries, which are very concerned
with the growing threat to the balance of the global ecosystem arising from
the serious pollution of the environment.

Labour and Politics

The Nigerian Labour Movement has always been interested in the politics of
the country from colonial times. Up to national independence, its protests
and strikes were loud in the national agitation for self-rule. However, with
independence, labour leaders were forced by the politicians into a secondary
role. It did not matter whether the regime was a military or civilian one, as

labour came to be seen more as adversary than as a partner in the

programme of national development.
The present move by the Nigerian labour Congress (NLC) to form a
Nigerian Labour Party is an attempt by organized labour to actively
participate in politics instead of being used as pawns in the power game.
There was a lot of argument in the Dialogue for and against this
development. Those who were against it felt that the move could divide
organized labour especially along ideological lines. Although there was a
need for the Nigerian labour to be politically active and to ensure that its
members perform their civic responsibilities, the idea of indirectly forcing
members into one into one political party may be counterproductive and
disruptive of labour unity. On the other hand, it was argued that a labour
party could help actualize the political ambitions of the Nigerian labour.
Citing the example of the Labour Party in Britain, which was distinct from
the Trade Union Congress, it was indicated that this was the model the NLC
intended to emulate. Since 1979, the NLC has engaged in the political
education of its members who were now tired of being used as pawns by
professional politicians. This was the background to the decision to broaden
the activities of the Congress beyond the work-place and right into the arena
of politics. The Dialogue could reach no agreement on the wisdom or
otherwise of this move and it was felt that only time would tell which way
was appropriate.

Nigerian Culture, Labour Relations and Development

In line with the position held at the Dialogue on Education and
Development, it was agreed that there is no one culture that is distinctly
Nigerian but that there were cultural traits and usages that were common to
most Nigerian ethnic groups. The warmth radiated by the people in
greetings, the rhythm of their music, their pattern of dancing and the care
and concern for ones relations, are common to all parts of the country. Such
common cultural elements can therefore be used to establish a positive
attitude to work and labour in the nation. The use of music to stimulate
concentration and concerted effort at work can be introduced into factories.
Increased social contracts between workers and management can serve to
ease industrial stresses and tension. Our traditional society has always
recognized and rewarded honesty, hard work, integrity and dedication, while
being very critical of indiscipline, theft, corruption and dishonesty. The

kinship system represented the traditional social insurance scheme while

constant consultation among age groups, residents of quarters or wards or
even the whole city were identified as basic elements of our social
behaviour. Those who were inventive or innovative were also rewarded in
our traditions. Even when such people are young, they are given positions of
honour and respect. All of these values should be recaptured and used
positively to enhance labours contribution to the development process.
The respect for knowledge is one of the high points in our culture. Men and
women of knowledge and wisdom were always acknowledged and
honoured. For the continuity of this, the Dialogue emphasized the
importance of making continuous self- improvement an essential part of our
work culture. Part-time studies of various types should be facilitated through
the provision of appropriate institutions. In the Army, for instance, there are
several regular training courses that soldiers must attend and pass to earn
promotion and self-improvement. During the Obasanjo regime, ASCON and
the Nigerian Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) were
established to ensure constant upgrading of the competence of public
servants, both civilian and military. Yet the Dialogue observed that there is a
growing anti-intellectualism in the public service such that teachers are
today being penalized for undertaking higher degree programmes while civil
servants are not promoted even after acquiring higher qualifications. There is
also the tendency to brand outspoken intellectuals as radicals and to proceed
to mete out various punitive measures on them.
There are, however, some aspects of our culture that are negative and which
must be eschewed. The practice of not keeping to time is incompatible with
modern life where time increasingly means money.
The tendency to fritter away time during working hours either by writing
letters or by gossiping is not conducive to increasing productivity. Physical
fighting or assault, and the propensity for the use of abusive language are ill
mannered and uncivilized conducts. One multinational company has a rule,
for instance, whereby individuals caught fighting within company premises
are either dismissed or subjected to very severe punishment.

Conclusion
Before concluding the Dialogue, there was a general agreement on the
primacy of culture in determining how people behave and react to work.
Therefore, the Dialogue reiterated the importance of the Nigerian nationals
paying close attention to the socialization process whereby children are
taught the norms and values of the society and made to imbibe the work
ethics as well as the educational system that equips them with the skills and
competence to work more productively. Furthermore, the Dialogue stresses
that, in order to increase the productivity of labour, the actual living
conditions of the worker encompassing his housing, his surroundings as well
as his social environment must be made conducive to good health and
satisfying existence. In line with this, the Dialogue believed that it is
imperative that the most unskilled worker must be able to earn a living
wage. That is, a wage that is enough to meet the expenses required for the
barest existence. In the society at large, the Dialogue recognized that social
problems, political instability and constant state intervention in the industrial
relation process militate against the efficiency of labour. It therefore
recommended that there should be policies on population, employment,
housing, and social justice so as to ensure the safety of life and reassure the
people that their efforts at development will be appropriately recognized and
rewarded.

Opening Remarks
by

Chairman, Africa Leadership Forum

I welcome you all to the Farm House Dialogue, the fifth in our development
series. The focus of our dialogue this weekend is indeed a vital and crucial
factor in the development process. Land, labour and capital have over the
years been regarded as the three essential ingredients of economic growth
and development. But then, from a generation of experience,
entrepreneurship, management and technology have come to be seen as
equally important, and could make or mar a nations march to progress.
To my mind, labour is not so much the brawn, but the skill that goes with it.
That is, the skills imparted on the natural and material resources available
within the country to achieve an increasing socialization of nature for the
joint benefit of all. This structures and instructs the output of labour and the
developmental capacity of the country. It is therefore acceptable to denote
the Gross National Product (GNP) of a country as the crystallization of the
countrys labour and the physical expression of the quantity and quality of
the countrys labour.
In essence, it is not labour per se that is important, it is the productivity of
labour that is and should remain vital. Where labour has low productivity, or
a productivity that is lower than its cost, it is hardly of any conceivable
advantage or benefit to anyone. In a case where the cost of labour outstrips
its productivity, it becomes an attenuating rather than an enhancing factor in
the development process. Labour must aspire and inspire itself to
productivity and the creation of surplus.
Development as an end goal requires and demands that labour be a catalyst
in the development process. To perform its expected role efficiently, the
productivity of labour must be either at the optimum level or near the
optimum level. It is within such a context that the rewards of labour would
be expressed in the collective or social wealth of the nation. The essential
form of increasing and improving the quality and performance of labour is
through in-house and on-the-job training for the workers as there may be no
substitute. All labour, to be efficient and effective, must have a certain
amount of skill. It is in the presence of the skill and the responsible
utilization of it, that the term dignity of labour is meaningful. Labour is

positive and constructive action that motivates, builds and achieves. Labour
constructs.
Over the years, it has often been erroneously conceived that labour is
synonymous with manual labourers and lower levels of workers in a
country. However, this is not so because the entrepreneur, the management
cadre and the working population form the totality of a countrys labour
force. Of course, they operate at different levels of labour force. Labour,
taken in its total circumspection, includes management and the entrepreneur
and such a total package in the operational definition of labour enables one
to take a broader conception of the role of labour in any country. It is on this
basis that the rigidity with which the line of demarcation between labour and
management is drawn must be re-examined if we are to explore the common
grounds and the various points for the pursuance of the goal of development.
The rigidity is informed by the master-servant relationship of the period of
slave trade and slavery. We must move away from that archaic concept.
Entrepreneurs, management and labour are on the same side of the coin.
Entrepreneurship, as an essential component of labour, must be established,
encouraged and sustained through aspiration and inspiration from within the
totality of the labour force. Entrepreneurs must not act or be seen as obscene
consumers of what is perceived as the products of the work of the toilers.
They are motivators, mobilizers and risk takers in the development process
but only as part of the labour team from which they must not isolate or
detach themselves.
If development is all about releasing the creative energies of the people, then
releasing the total energy within the country will involve releasing the
energy politically, socially and economically. The sharp edges of the
stratification drawn between labour and management must be blurred.
Management has become professional. It must be perceived and treated
accordingly. Thrusting people in top management positions for whatever
reason without adequate preparation, experience and exposure may spell
disaster to the organization to the detriment of all concerned entrepreneur,
management and staff. My conviction is that to have management ranging
on one side and labour on the other side downplays the necessary harmony
and common interest, which should be fostered, while aggravating the
differences. It robs corporate bodies of a concerted and collective movement
at crucial moment, and enthrones suspicions and mutual distrust while also
diverting attention away from more serious issues in the achievement of
corporate goals. Social stratification is unfortunately an inescapable reality

that we cannot deny and a harmonious society must provide opportunities

for social mobility. Permit me to quote from the biography of Abraham
Lincoln, who observed that:
You cannot bring prosperity by discouraging thrift, you cannot
strengthen the weak by weakening the strong; you cannot help the
wage earner by pulling down the wage payer; you cannot further the
brotherhood of man by class hatred; you cannot build character and
courage by taking away mans initiative and independence; you can
not help men permanently by doing for them what they could or
should do for themselves
My addition to this is that we need to accept that several segments of the
society must have common interests in development, growth and equity. It
would be wrong for us to continue to accept that interests between labour
and management must remain diametrically opposed. To me, I see their
interests, duties and responsibilities as complementary. The Japanese have
shown the world that a lot of grounds for harmony and accord exists
between labour and management without resorting to strikes, trade disputes
and confrontational measures. This is rooted in their culture of work and
working place as a life-long relationship with shared interests, progress and
adversity. Industrial conflicts have thus become effective routines in Japan
mainly because of the effective usage of consultations and the consolidation
of gains made on such consultations. The implication of this lies in the
avoidance of loss, which results from a paralysis of production process, the
wastage in terms of man hours lost and the overall loss in output. Is there
anything in our culture that can be adopted and adapted to modern day
business organization and labour practice? Have we got any lesson to learn
from our past communal responsibilities and community duties, consultation
and mediation which managed conflicts and disputes? Must not our national
character and value include the right attitude to work and labour,
management and entrepreneurial relationship? Can we move up in the ladder
of development without adequate work ethics and work culture? Let us
deliberate on these issues. I wish you fruitful discussions and deliberations.

6
Management and Development
It has been suggested that a lack of commitment to highlevel performance
is the strongest shortcoming of the Nigerian manager. Outside of known
cultural barriers, it is necessary to envisage a modality that is practicable,
acceptable and agreeable, and one that would engender more commitment in
the Nigerian manager. Part of this modality must include an inexpensive
method of ensuring that Nigerian managers have access to requisite data and
information.
Defining Management and Development
The Dialogue commenced by attempting to grapple with the two key
concepts of management and development. The essence of this concern
derives from the need to come up with such functional definitions that
clearly capture, among other things, the nature of the linkage between the
two concepts.
Ordinarily, a definition of the concept of development should not be difficult
to come up with since previous themes of the Farm House Dialogues have
been based on the issue of development as it relates to some other national
concerns such as leadership, culture, women, health, communication,
education and so on. It was observed that, on each occasion, the definition of
development as stated in the report of the Farm House Dialogue on
Leadership and Development was taken as sufficient and adequate for the
purposes of the various discussions. In looking at the definition of
development contained in the report of the Farm House Dialogue on
Leadership and Development, subsequent dialogues still felt the need to
elaborate further on the concept of development. A more elaborate definition
was provided at the Dialogue on Labour and Development, where
development was defined as a process concerned with peoples capacity in
a defined area, over a defined period, to manage and induce change. There
is no doubt that this definition is not only adequate but that it also captures
the essence of the concept as it relates to management. However, in order to
effectively establish the linkage between the two terms, an additional

definition of development by Walter Rodney was suggested. This entailed

seeing development as a process of increasing the ability, capacity and
capabilities of a people to exploit the resources of their environment so as to
satisfy their needs at any given time.
A combination of the two definitions was deemed suitable for this Dialogue
because it makes resources (human and material) and the objectives of their
exploitation the central concern of any definition of development. It is also
management-oriented.
With regard to management, the Dialogue noted that the term has been so
much overused that there may not be a generally acceptable definition. In the
first place, Management can be considered both as an art and as a science.
As an art (the management practice) it simply refers to those processes of
human relations that top-level managers use to make things happen. As a
science (theory of management), it deals with the body of knowledge and the
systematic study of the practice of making things happen.
Participants at the Dialogue noted that the popular definition of management
provided by Peter Drucker does not take adequate cognizance of the
peculiarities of the Nigerian situation. This simply defined management as
being concerned with the effective utilization of the three Ms of Men,
Money and Materials. For the purposes of the Dialogue and given the unique
management experience in the Nigerian situation, it was considered
important to add a fourth element, namely time to the three Ms. This
definition, simple and ordinary as it may seem, establishes, in the view of
the participants at the Dialogue, a strong relationship between management
and development. In fact, the argument can be advanced here that all targets
of growth (a management issue measured by time) would be totally
meaningless if the quality of life of the people is not improved (development
issue). Such improvements do not come automatically from high growth
indices alone but rather from improvements in the provision of food, health,
clothing, literacy, water supply and the employment levels of a people.
Having established the above definitions and their linkage, one can then
move to discuss these as they relate to Nigeria. In dealing with this problem,
a number of questions easily come to mind. For example, can we say that the
development problem in Nigeria is principally one of management? What do
we mean by management in this context? Is it something that we can import
from elsewhere or is it culturally specific? Are we referring to it at the

enterprise or at the macro level? If we choose to talk about development at

the personal or individual level, are we sure that the concept of Management
is the correct term we should use? Is there really a difference between
leadership and management? Could we not look at the problems of
management development in Nigeria as relating to an absence of evolving
relevant institutions? To adequately deal with the above concerns, it was
agreed that it would be necessary first to identify the needs and objectives of
management in a developmental context.

Identifying the Needs and Objectives of Management

In the attempt to identify the needs of the Nigerian society as they relate to
the objectives of management, it must be made clear, at the onset, that these
needs have all along been identified both by the people and by successive
managers of the Nigerian political economy. These needs can be broadly
divided into two categories: physical or tangible needs and psychological or
intangible needs. The physical or tangible needs are physiological and
include food, shelter, health, infrastructure, education and training,
employment and water. While these needs are quantifiable, the second
category of needs the psychological or intangible needs are not
quantifiable. They are mainly emotional and spiritual. They include security,
mutual respect, identity, freedom, and political will. These needs can be
addressed at different levels including the individual, the community, the
local and the national levels.
A problem that tends to affect the ability of nations to adequately respond to
these needs lies in the failure to involve the people in the process of the
collective identification and articulation of the nature and magnitude of what
are required for this purpose. Rather, governments, particularly in
developing countries, often try to confront the challenge in a patronizing and
paternalistic way. As a result, these needs are not well catered for on the
basis of the peoples scale of preferences. Even with governments
paternalistic approach, there is always a certain weakness of political will to
give the resolution of the problem what it takes. This situation is not helped
by the docility and general inability of citizens to participate fully in and
closely monitor government programmes, and, if need be, question
government direction from time to time. This weakness of political will is, in
a sense, structural because, more often than not, functionaries in most post-

colonial governments see their responsibilities more as a contractual

business relation than as service to the people.
The resulting societal incapacity to respond effectively to its own felt needs
is also not helped by the absence of established institutional infrastructures
for decision making. Whereas political parties and similar social and interest
groups that represent, for instance, labour, professionals, market women and
so on should normally be used to organize and articulate the range of
societal needs, constant military interventions in the political life of the
country and the muzzling of dissenting views on such occasions have made
this very difficult in Nigeria. The too frequent changes in leadership and
management that have characterized this period in the nations history have
resulted in a serious case of policy instability and programme discontinuity
leading to a stop-go-stop situation in the execution of many viable and
meaningful projects. In consequence, it has not been possible for the
objectives of management for national development to be clearly identified
a situation which is still waiting to be resolved.

Management and Health

Participants at the Dialogue took the view that a sound mind can only
function effectively and perform efficiently if it inhabits a sound body. In the
opinion of participants, the physical health of the manager is as important as
other aspects of the managers health.
While reviewing past and current management training and development
programmes in Nigeria, the Dialogue observed that, rarely if ever, is
sufficient attention paid to the substances of the managers physical health
through physical and health exercises. The Dialogue concluded that
sufficient and adequate attention was not being paid to the role of physical
health exercises as a tension relieving mechanism and as a modality for
achieving a balanced state of mind through a process of attuning the mind
with the body.
Participants noted further that in most of these programmes, physical and
health exercises rather than be treated as integral parts of the programme are
more often than not treated as appendages to the main training programmes.
Participants took the view that, if management training programmes are to
have the required and desired impact, they must involve a modicum of
physical and health exercises in their training schedules. The idea must be to

inculcate in the manager the need to make physical and health exercises an
integral part of his schedule regardless of the pulls and demands of his job.
The Dialogue therefore recommended that managers should be encouraged
to engage in physical exercises regularly. In addition, management
development programmes should be made to include physical and health
exercise as an integral part of their training programme.
The Dialogue noted and commended the efforts of some sections of the
media, both electronic and print, at popularizing physical and health
exercise. However, participants at the Dialogue observed that improper
packaging and presentation of programmes and write-ups on physical and
health exercises has resulted in a situation where it is usually wrongly
perceived either as a feminine fancy or as another Eurocentric fad. In
addition, participants also noted that the spread in the media was not enough
to make the desired impact on the readers. On this basis, the Dialogue
recommended that our media should take a more active involvement in
assisting to spread the usefulness of physical and health exercises to the
individual manager.
Environment, Society and Management
In Nigeria, we have not been doing as well as we should in the area of
management development. When one examines the fact that Nigeria has
abundant human and material resources and numerous educational and
training institutions, and when one recalls that many Nigerians have
distinguished themselves in various fields of human endeavours including
the management of large and complex multinational corporations, one
wonders why we have not applied these resources towards establishing a
more efficient management of our national economy.
It is the view of the Dialogue that part of this problem can be attributed to
the nature of the Nigerian social, political and economic environment.
Politically, many decisions have been taken on the development
programmes of the country that have not been based on the objective of
seeking the greatest good for the greatest number but rather on the
influence of vested interests of one set of minority or the other. Projects that
were initiated in the context of such considerations, notably the Iron and
Steel Complex, the Liquefied Natural Gas project and the Petrol-Chemical
industry have left Nigeria in a serious dilemma today.

Economically, the period of the oil boom had undermined a national

appreciation of the importance of efficient and prudent management. Before
the oil boom decade, our major income came from agriculture. Development
programmes were consequently more thoughtfully designed and more
conscientiously executed with little room for corrupt practices. For example,
the few Universities that were in existence were efficiently run and they
strove to maintain very high standards. But since the era of the oil boom and
after the mindless proliferation of universities and other educational
institutions, the maintenance of high standards of academic excellence had
ceased to be an important goal and so also has the concern with securing the
best persons to lead and manage these institutions. The oil boom era brought
with it the age of mediocrity in most public and educational institutions. The
Dialogue wondered if Nigeria as a nation expanded too fast for the available
experienced managers to cope with the resultant change. Another reason that
can be advanced to explain the problem of management in Nigeria is the
excessive official and political involvement, if not interference, in the
management of establishments and enterprises. This interference is so
excessive that two schools of thought have emerged to argue on what should
be the role of government in the management of such institutions.
The first school argues that the governments role should be restricted to
mere policy formulation and the creation of a conducive management
atmosphere rather than the direct involvement of the government in the dayto-day management and decision-making process. It is further argued that, if
government will face its own task of providing appropriate economic
incentives, alleviating social and economic injustices and generally reducing
the economic suffering of the most vulnerable groups, the private sector will
be better placed to efficiently manage the different sectors of the national
economy.
The second school of thought does not see any rationable in restricting
government activities in this manner, most especially when such activities
are undertaken in the interest of the society. It argues that it does not really
matter whether it is the government or the private sector that is responsible
for managing the economy. Rather, what matters is the existence of a set of
clearly articulated national economic management objectives that will form
the bedrock of all developmental and productive activities. As long as the
right people are put in the right places, and as long as there is commitment
and an entrenched system of accountability, this school of thought argues,
the issue of who is controlling the economy may be immaterial.

In examining the arguments of these two schools of thought, the Dialogue is

of the opinion that there is the need to draw a distinction between viewing
government strictly as an institution for policy formulation, and viewing
government corporation or establishment as an instrument of access to
power and societal resources.
With respect to national policy formulation, government remains the single,
most important and the best institution for ensuring consistency and
comprehensiveness. However, and more often than not, appointments to top
political government positions are made with the aim of assuring some
people access to resources rather than ensuring that the common will is best
served. In this situation, the policies of government come to show neither
consistency nor comprehensiveness and the objective of efficient
management is difficult to achieve.
Other aspects of the Nigerian environment include the cultural orientation of
the society. In Nigeria, there seems to be a tacit approval of abuses of office
and corruption. The practice whereby appointments to official positions are
often accompanied by social parties and all sorts of thanksgiving services
and congratulatory messages is calculated to put the appointee in the debt of
all these so-called well-wishers and admirers and remind him of his or her
extra-official responsibility to serve their interests, however incompatible
these might be to the national cause. This situation has become a serious
danger today because of the post-colonial experience of most Nigerians
whereby people who have stolen and recklessly abused their offices, instead
of being held up to public opprobrium and punished appropriately have
ended up being tacitly applauded and allowed to go scot-free with their loot.
They are made chief launchers and chairmen of ceremonies for donations as
if their acts receive governmental and public approval.
This cultural permissiveness, fuelled as it were by ethnic, regional or even
religious chauvinism, puts the true Nigerian manager in a kind of trap or
invidious position from which he may find it difficult to extricate himself.
The Dialogue is of the opinion that, while the situation can be very exerting
and challenging to the manager, it takes courage, personal resolve, and a
principled determination by an individual to remain above board in such
circumstances. Such a position, however, entails grave career risks and a
personal sacrifice, which a truly committed manager must be prepared to
make. It is therefore generally agreed that it is the degree of personal

commitment of the manager to his principles that defines the parameter

within which he has to operate.
A related issue has to do with the income profile of managers and the
expected life style that can be regarded as consistent with this. A situation in
which the life style of managers is far in excess of what they can actually
afford when out of office can hardly be conductive to encouraging them to
keep to the straight and narrow path of moral rectitude while they are in
office. For example, this fact is most evident in the housing policies for top
managers whilst in office. Managers occupy official residences with all the
conveniences and facilities provided and whose total value is far in excess of
what such managers can expect to afford after leaving service. Apart from
the fact that this conspicuous mode of living creates general cynicism and
mistrust on the part of subordinate officers, the manager himself has to
worry about how to ensure that he can maintain a comparable standard of
living on his exit from office. Such worries leave him very susceptible to the
temptations of corruption, and misuse and abuse of office. This situation
seems to be clearly a Nigerian one in the sense that, in the developed
countries such as Britain, only very few top management functionaries live
in official residences. The existence of a well-developed housing market and
of widespread and easily accessible mortgage institutions make it possible
for most officials to meet their housing needs without serious hassles.
Finally, a common feature of the Nigerian management environment is the
culture of indifference to time and timeliness of activities. Generally, time
frames for meeting programme targets are not taken seriously by most
managers especially those in the public sector. In some quarters, such an
indifference is regarded as the hallmark of being the boss. This attitude has
come to permeate all sections of the society to such an extent that
appointments are no longer regarded as something to be kept on time.
Unfortunately, the concept of African time seems to enjoy official and
societal approval.
State of the Management Art in Nigeria
Nigeria seems to have an appreciably high level of human resources in the
management field, with adequate training and expertise. The problem of
effectiveness had to do mainly with the attitude of the managers towards
their tasks. Some of the key problem areas in management include planning,
coordination, leading, communication, evaluation, monitoring and

discipline. The main issue, however, is the extent to which the culture of
excellence can come to be reflected in the attitude of managers in all of these
areas. In other words, to what extent do Nigerian managers regard
themselves as factors of change that must promote and sustain
entrepreneurial development in all sectors of national life?
To be able to adequately respond to these concerns, the Dialogue believes
that the nation, particularly the leadership, must confront squarely the issue
of how it selects, trains and utilizes managers. In other words, we need to
address the issue of management development and succession in Nigeria.
In an earlier section of this report, the problems of policy instability and
programme discontinuity were highlighted. At this juncture, the issue is the
need to treat the related problem of management succession.
The Dialogue observed that it is the common practice in Nigeria for a
manager who may have been in office for upwards of ten years to find
himself being superceded by someone with a far fewer number of years of
experience. In other instances, top management has often been changed
rather too unceremoniously by government fiat, as was noted in an earlier
Dialogue on Labour and Development. In yet some other cases, decrees and
byelaws have been used to destabilize managers. Participants at the Dialogue
observed that this situation is more prevalent in the public sector than in the
private sector where the fear of litigation minimizes its frequent occurrence.
Generally, the net effect of this situation is that there is a sense of insecurity
among managers, resulting in a lack of motivation and a cynical attitude to
the obligations and responsibility of the position. For many managers, this
cynicism has invariably been expressed through a preference for
appointments and job offers outside the country, resulting in the present high
level of brain drain.
One other common problem in the state of the art of management in Nigeria
is the attempt to manage without adequate information and database. It is
common in Nigeria to find organizations operating without any data or with
data that are clearly out of date, disjointed or too scanty for any useful
purpose. If planning is a sine qua non for effective management, it must be
evident that adequate data and information as well as an effective
communication network are prime necessities. In the public sector, the
method of data collection and storage is very archaic and inefficient. While
there may have been a recognition of the indispensability of computers,

these gadgets continue to be treated more as prestige pieces of furniture in

the offices of public sector managers than as vital instruments of data
acquisition, data analysis and decision evaluation.
On the issue of training, there is still a lot to be done with respect to the
intensity and quality of training Nigerias management personnel. A number
of management personnel do receive their training in institutions outside
Nigeria. In such cases, the problem often arises as to the relevance of such
training to the needs and challenges of Nigeria. The lack of adequate and
relevant training programmes for Nigerian managers has led to the
formulation of theories that do not always relate to the objective situation in
the country. This perhaps explains the unfortunate lack of co-ordination in
the management training activities of our research centres, universities and
other educational institutions and, of course, our industrial establishments.
Some decisive efforts need to be made in this regard. The activities of such
agencies as the Centre for Management Development and the Administrative
Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON) need to be given greater support and
publicity.
One area that requires to be addressed in the context of the state of
management art in Nigeria is the role and impact of military intervention on
the government and management of the Nigerian economy and society. It is
a fact that the Nigerian experience of military intervention in government
shows that this constitutes part of the management problem of the country.
For example, the absence of political parties has meant the lack of viable
channels for articulating the management needs of the country. Moreover,
in the attempt by the military to justify its intervention and secure some
legitimacy for its administration, the temptation may be stronger for them to
discredit, abandon or discontinue development programmes that are relevant
and patently viable. Both military and civilian administrations are culpable
in this regard. The situation invariably spills over to tampering with the
management of programmes with seasoned managers being sacked and
replaced by less experienced ones. What is being said here, in other words,
is that the military, probably more than civilians, has created greater
instability for the Nigerian economic development and this has not always
been very conducive to the emergence of a cadre of dedicated and
committed managers in the country. This is particularly worrisome for the
country when it is remembered that, nationally, the military has been more
of a consumer than a producer of tangible resources. The situation is even
more regrettable because the conventional organization of the military is

based on sound principles of management. In fact, most of todays general

management principles can be said to have emanated from the logistical and
operational needs of the military. They include such principles as
management by objectives, strategic management, resource management, as
well as co-ordination and the hierarchy principles of organization. The
military will best be able to safeguard and promote these principles only as
long as they keep to their traditional conventional roles of defending the
country and safeguarding its territorial integrity, keeping clear of seductive
attraction of political power.
Commitment as an Attribute of Management
The Dialogue considered it important to raise the issue of commitment as a
vital attribute of good management. It was argued that whichever way one
chooses to look at management, whether at the personal, community or
national level, without dedication and commitment, no worthwhile and
sustainable goals can be achieved. By commitment in this context, the
Dialogue refers to a strict adherence to a generally well articulated national
or corporate cause with no strings attached. The issue needs to be stressed
here because, unless Nigerians adopt attitudes that support development as a
nation-wide process and not as a matter for regional or ethnic advantage, no
progress of much enduring quality can be achieved. National commitment
would seem to have been the bedrock of the development achievement of
many other countries that were once in a similar situation as Nigeria. For
example, Nigerias first National Development Plan was drawn up in 1962
the same year as South Koreas. At that time, both countries had similar
economic growth indicators. Today, the success of South Korea can only be
explained in terms of the level of management commitment of its leaders to
the goals of development. In Nigeria, instead of an urge for, and a genuine
will and commitment to development, the orientation has been tilted towards
conspicuous consumption, ethnic and regional chauvinism and the
squandering of the nations wealth. Whether in the private or in the public
sector, this problem of management commitment has become a very serious
one. There is the common tendency, on the part of Nigerian managers, to
plan ahead, by which they mean to divide their loyalty such that, while
still in the employment of an organization, they also float their own
private companies and sometimes competing businesses on the side, as
guarantee for a possible alternative to fall back on when the parent
organization collapses as a result of their lack of commitment. Such proxy
companies may also be set up generally, as a means of supplementing their

effort of living above their legitimate earnings. So pervading is this practice

that managers who insist on remaining committed and loyal to their
organizations are easily in the minority and are often ridiculed by their
colleagues and the society at large.
By contrast, in some other countries, managers have been known to be so
dedicated that, in extreme situations, some would rather commit suicide than
accept the opprobrium of having failed their organizations. The Nigerian
situation provides the opposite of such levels of commitment and there are
numerous examples where managers are willing to maim, kill or assassinate
people or burn down their establishments in order to conceal their own acts
of mismanagement, malpractices and fraud. Nigeria is ostensibly a very
religious country, but the ethics taught in the different religious doctrines do
not seem to have influenced many adherents into seeking a higher-thanaverage sense of morality in the discharge of their duties and responsibilities
to the nation and their employers. Part of the reason for this is no doubt the
fact that many of the corrupt and uncommitted managers of the Nigerian
economy, both in the public and the private sectors, not only succeed in
escaping with their loot but also remain respectable dignitaries within their
communities. Worse still, they are often found at the centre-stage of official
government activities and ceremonies, sometimes bagging high national
honours to the bargain.
On the possibility of whether labour unions can be made to serve as national
commitment vigilantes, the Dialogue is of the opinion that this can only be
possible if there is a consensus on the development objectives of
organizations or of the nation in general. That is if labour can stand out
substantially and remain unpolluted in its commitment and loyalty. If this
were possible then, inevitably, a system of checks and balances may emerge
and sanctions evolved to deal with miscreant managers. Presently, there is a
lot of distrust and suspicion between management and labour and the
dividing line between top management and other levels of organization is
not too clear as to make it difficult to entrust labour with such a
responsibility. May be a joint consultative committee can be established
between labour and management. This, however, can only be possible and
effective if there is an established national norm to which everybody
subscribes and which can be applied without consideration of regional origin
or ethnicity.

Whither Management Development in Nigeria?

The problem of management development in Nigeria is clearly not an issue
for government alone. It constitutes a challenge to individuals and families
as well as for communities, local governments and states. Therefore, the
Dialogue is of the opinion that management development is perhaps the
single most important challenge facing Nigeria at the present time. It is the
principal resource required to improve the quality of life of the people and to
raise Nigerias respectability among other nations. The Dialogue recognizes
that there is an adequate framework of managerial knowledge already
available in the country through which a good foundation can be laid for
managerial advancement, and with further interaction, a worthwhile edifice
built. To achieve this goal, therefore, the Dialogue advanced the following
recommendations:
First, with respect to meeting the needs of the people, the Dialogue
recommended that administration in the country should be greatly
decentralized, even below the level of local governments, so that
communities could have the rights of self development so as to identify their
problems, organize themselves to raise the resources needed to resolve the
problems and be able to monitor their leaders as the leaders carry out the
programmes of development of their communities.
Second, the nation itself needs a Planning Commission comprising the
national and state chief executives and experts and within which the art of
national economic management and development can be professionalised.
Such a Commission will ensure that the needs of the people are adequately
met throughout the country. It will also promote a greater feeling of social
and distributive justice among the many ethnic groups and social classes in
the country.
Third, the Dialogue noted that considering our general deficiencies in the art
of management, there is need to start a national movement to promote the
emergence of a type of management that will not only ensure increased
production but also emphasize concern for quality and excellence in
whatever we do as individuals, corporate bodies and as a nation. It is
suggested that this movement can start in our primary schools where
students can be involved in productive activities and made to appreciate the
importance of good management in ensuring that their activities are
efficiently directed at meeting the needs of their schools.

Fourth, with respect to the weaknesses of the Nigerian environment in

promoting and sustaining a committed and dedicated management culture,
the Dialogue recommended the starting of a programme of national reorientation with the objectives of emphasizing service and responsibility as
the fundamental bases for management appointments rather than seeing
these simply as a means to power and privileges. In this connection, some
attention should be given to the total package of management remunerations
to ensure that they do not result in a life style that an individual cannot
sustain once he has left office. This will also entail enhancing general
institutional capacity to ensure that individuals can have easy access to good
housing, mortgage loans and other facilities needed to guarantee each
individual an appropriate style and standard of living. The practice whereby
every new administration sacks all boards and management councils or
replaces top-level management personnel irrespective of their records of
performance is certainly inimical to the long-term interest of the nations
development. The Dialogue recommended that this practice should be
stopped forthwith. This, of course, does not obviate the need for an
administration to carefully audit or continuously evaluate the performance of
such staff and deal appropriately with those who are found wanting.
However, a blanket removal of board members and the premature
termination of appointments and retirements only result in low morale and
encouragement of the wrong attitude to national service and responsibility.
The idea of delaying the replacement of board members to provide some
continuity should be considered.
Sixth, there are traditional values and norms that can serve positive
objectives in the Nigerian managerial environment. The Dialogue strongly
recommended that these should be reviewed, rationalized and harmonized.
In addition, appropriate programmes should be designed to inculcate them in
our youths and in the society at large. In this connection, the primary role of
families should be emphasized. Our mass media and other agencies of mass
communication and enlightenment can play a very important part in
disseminating and promoting the recognition of these values. The three
levels of our educational institutions also have a responsibility to articulate
and propagate these values. The tendency of the Nigerian press towards
cynicism and general national denigration need to be minimized. This can
only be possible if Nigerians, especially those in important management
positions would curb their conspicuous consumption tendencies. In other
words, leaders and managers should strive to put themselves in a position in
which they can be trusted and respected and in which there will be no

credibility gaps between them and their subordinates. Apart from anything
else, this should engender a good industrial relationship between labour and
management and also stimulate the attainment of increased productivity.
Seventh, on the role of the Military in government, the Dialogue noted that
there is no greater stability for any nation other than the commitment to
democracy and orderly electoral succession. It is this that ensures the
satisfaction and uplift of the quality of life of the people and which is really
a great security. Military intervention must therefore be seen as a thing of
the past and must be strenuously discouraged for the future. In this
connection, the Dialogue strongly recommended that ways must be found to
greatly reduce the resources that are presently expended on the military
without compromising their capacity to safeguard the nations security.
Conclusion
The Dialogue recognizes that to foster a high degree of commitment among
managers there is the need to provide them with adequate and up-to-date
tools and equipment. Equally important is a sound information and database
for all purposes of planning both at the enterprise level and at the national
level. Such information must not be treated as secret, but should be turned
out for purposes of research and planning. There is also the need for
effective education and training of management personnel. This should
always be on a continuous basis in order to constantly up-date the skills of
managers and make them responsive to the changing management
environment in the country.
More than anything else, however, good and efficient management will be
promoted in Nigeria as the leadership succeeds in fostering a strong sense of
nationalism and patriotism at all levels and in all forms of national
endeavours. Commendable achievements should be rewarded. Such rewards
need not be monetary or material but should rather be elevating and morale
boosting actions. It could, for instance, entail no more than letters of
commendations or the award of national honours. Similarly, full sanctions
should always be exacted on misdemeanour, and various acts of abuse or
misuse of office as well as on poor performance. Above all, leaders must
strive to live by example. Unless they are visibly seen to be committed and
dedicated to the cause of the nations progress and development, much
cannot be expected from their followers.

Opening Remarks
by

Chairman, Africa Leadership Forum

I welcome you all to this edition of the Farm House Dialogue, the tenth in
our series on Development. Our focus this weekend is a key element and the
touchstone of our development process. I say touchstone and key element of
development process because we cannot hope to successfully manage a
modern economy in a missile age with antiquated tools and the attitudes of
the Stone Age. Management and labour are tools of production. More
importantly, management entails the effective, judicious and optimal
utilization of men, money, and materials in the achievement of set goals,
targets or objectives be it in the private or in the public sector of the
economy.
In the past, labour and management used to be lumped together. However, in
recent times, management has become so specialized both as an art and a
science that it is now a profession on its own and requires as much attention
as a factor of production, productivity and sustained development as labour,
land and capital the age-old factors of production. We have, in the past,
discussed labour as a factor of production and as an instrument of
development. It is in apparent recognition of the relative importance of
management in the development process that we have had to convene a
separate dialogue to analyze and discuss management.
Management is the key to general and specific improved performance at the
individual, corporate and national levels. If development is all about
releasing the creative energies of the people, all the people, this must be
done at all levels political, social and economic. The first step in this
direction must involve the harmonization of all relationships in the
development process. The sharp line of demarcation often drawn between
labour and management must be blurred and blunted if we are to avoid the
old syllogistic traps. Indisputably, having management ranging on one side
and labour on the other side downplays the necessary harmony and common
interests, while exacerbating and aggravating the differences. It may rob
corporate bodies of a concerted and collective movement in crucial
moments, and enthrone suspicions and mutual distrust while diverting
attention away from the more serious issues of achieving corporate and
collective goals. Management must seek industrial and corporate harmony

and peace through the routinization of industrial conflicts. It would be wrong

for us to continue to accept that the interest between labour and management
must remain diametrically opposed. For me, the interest, duties and
responsibilities must be complementary. The Japanese have shown the world
that a lot of grounds for harmony and accord exist between labour and
management without resorting to strikes, lockouts, trade disputes and other
confrontational measures.
Over the years, I have observed our national inadequate performance in
management and my diagnosis is that we suffer from two basic errors error
of omission and commission. Errors of commission are deliberate acts and
deeds known to be wrong but carried out to feather personal nests, own
groups, sections communitys, or tribes nest and particularly carried out in
such a way that others suffer certain deprivation or neglect. Volumes have
been written about the debilitating effects of such acts on our developmental
process and programmes. Errors of omission are those acts and deeds which
are genuinely carried out because the actors know no better due to
inadequacy of training, lack of understanding, lack of experience and lack of
exposure. In Nigeria, errors of commission and omission have almost always
fed on each other to cripple our long-term national goal and developmental
efforts in different sectors and at different levels.
In addition to our general shortcomings as a nation, we must understand that
management involves devolution and delegation and teamwork at the same
time. Management involves control, monitoring, supervision, discipline,
feedback, welfare, two-way communication and achievement of projections.
Throwing money out and about as a solution to management error without
the basic structural and fundamental basis is folly and foolhardiness. It is the
fundamental, structural and management base that we need to put in place in
capacity building and institutional development.
The basic principles of management include, among others, applicability
and adaptability to different sections and sectors of human endeavour. For
me, the manager must be knowledgeable, firm, fair and concerned about the
well-being and welfare of the people under his jurisdiction.
In integrity and probity, the manager must be above board and he must never
be compromised or subject himself to blackmail or be held to ransom. He
must be trusted and believed. He must have the means of accessing himself
to his subordinates. He must maintain a two-way communication channel

while being a good communicator and good leader. He must be honest with
those he heads as any mistrust or distrust brought about by accident or
design creates a credibility gap that may be difficult to bridge.
Over the years, it has been observed that one of the major attenuating factors
in the development process in the whole of sub-Saharan African is the
absence of an adequate pool of relevantly trained individuals to manage
public and private sector institutions. Is this really a problem in Nigeria? Do
we actually, honestly and truly lack adequately and appropriately trained
individuals?
On the contrary, I am of the view that the strongest shortcoming of the
Nigerian manager is the lack of commitment. I am referring to that zeal to go
the extra mile and extra time beyond the call of duty but without the
indelicacy of ulterior motive or jealousy. A unique commitment to corporate
and overall goal is to my mind the difference between an outstanding
manager and an average manager. No matter how versed a manager is in the
principles of management, no matter how adept and ingenious he might be at
utilizing available resources to achieve set goals, without commitment, all
his adroitness and resourcefulness might very well come to nought.
There must be commitment to excellence and the will to see things through
to its conclusion and the concern to get it going. As we trade views this
weekend, I challenge you to think beyond and outside of the known barriers
and envisage a practicable, acceptable and agreeable modality that could
ingrain commitment in the Nigerian manager both consciously and subconsciously and which will radiate to all workers under him. We have a
saying in the army that there are no bad soldiers but bad officers. It simply
means that the manager matters. I dare say that the commitment challenge is
a great challenge, for it goes beyond merely exhorting our managers to adopt
a change and improve our work ethics and work attitude. Until we are able
to do this, our long and arduous journey to modern management and
development would always be marked by a constant return to the drawing
board.
In addition, I challenge you all to fathom an inexpensive way of giving our
managers access to vital data and information. These are indispensable tools
of management and materials for enhancing management performance. A
manager without adequate data and information is like a boxer throwing
punches blind-folded. Whatever we do, say or prescribe for our managers

must be laced with, and take root from, cognizance of our peculiar
characteristics as Nigerians. To do otherwise would be to invite the
antinomies of structural organization and administrative complexity or what
Frederick Riggs refers to as the salad administrative model in a prismatic
society.
I shall conclude my remark by reminding all of you of the free, frank and
non-attributory stance of our discussions at the Farm House Dialogue and
the recommendatory nature of the report emanating from each dialogue and I
hope you will bear this in mind in your discussions.
Thank you.

Opening Address
by

Dr. M.O. Omolayole,

Chairman of the Dialogue
I have had the privilege of participating in or reading reports emanating from
previous Farm House Dialogues on Development. I participated in the
dialogue on Education for Development and I also participated in the
Dialogue on Labour and Development. There had also been other titles such
as Women in Development, Youth and Development, Culture and
Development, Communication and Development, and the very first of them
all, Leadership and Development.
I have therefore decided to re-examine the definition and concept of
development that has been the common strand running through the previous
brainstorming sessions. The Dialogue on Leadership and Development
simply defined development as a change or transformation into a better
state and not just growth in G.D.P. The Dialogue on Labour and
Development defined development by elaborating on the definition in the
Dialogue on Leadership and Development. That elaboration led to accepting
Development as a process concerned with peoples capacity, in a defined
area and over a defined period, to manage and induce change; that is to
predict plan, understand and monitor change. I recently came across a
definition that improves on the two just enumerated. A recent writer quotes
Walter Rodney as defining Development as Increasing the ability, capacity
and capabilities of a people and exploiting the resources within the
environment to satisfy the needs of the people at any given time.
The definition, to my mind, is an improvement on the first two, with regard
to the important topic of this weekends dialogues: Management and
Development. This is because the easiest definition and concept of
management must relate to resources and objectives.
Management, to my mind, is even easier to define than Development. This is
because it has been elevated to an academic discipline. The most quoted
definition of management comes form Peter Drucker who defined it as the
art and science of making resources productive in accordance with the
requirements of a pre-determined objective. Simply expressed, it means

that management is concerned with using available resources of money,

men, machines and materials to achieve a known objective. This is what is
referred to as the 3 Ms or 4 Ms in management literature.
In recent years, one resource that does not qualify as an M has been added
on. It is time. The realization that time is a finite resource has given new
meanings and impetus to the management process.
The linkage therefore between management and development is very strong.
It is for this reason that countries that are endowed with abundant resources
are regarded as having a high potential for greatness. All that is needed to
make those resources highly productive is the application of competent
managerial techniques. It is also for this reason that many countries in the
third world are suffering in the midst of plenty, because they are
underdeveloped.
The type of development however that is beginning to command attention is
the one, according to Rodney, that is peopleoriented. The points have been
strongly highlighted in a recent study and report by the United Nations
Development Programme (UNDP) titled The Human Development Report
1990. All the targets of growth will be meaningless if their attainment do
not lead to the improvement in the quality of life of the teeming population
of a country measured in terms of such factors as food availability and
affordability, shelter, health, clothing, literacy, water supply and
employment.
We shall, therefore, in the next two days be exploring the linkages between
management and development, in particular as they relate to Nigeria.
Certain pertinent questions may need to be answered or at least examined:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

What are the needs of the Nigerian people that can be regarded as
indices of true development?
What resources have we got in Nigeria that could be utilized to
meet those developmental objectives?
What abilities, capacities and capabilities exist in the environment?
What use or lack of use have we made in the past of these abilities?
What is the state of the art with regard to management in Nigeria?
What improvement if any is needed? What are the deficiencies,
knowledge or practice or attitudes?

7.

8.
9.

How does management relate to labour, to government, to the

general public in Nigeria? Or what is the state of ethical dimension
to management?
Why does the result of our management efforts show such little
progress if any?
Quo vadis?
These and many more questions will be tabled. I look forward to
very active participation, animated if necessary at all.

7
Technology and Development
Science and technology have had relatively little effect on the lives of
citizens in Nigeria. Nonetheless, if development must be seen as humancentred, then the technology that will help people to advance and improve
their quality of life must be the concern of everybody. In order to induce
rapid technological advances within the context of the overall economic
development and socio-cultural milieu of a country, it is important for a
nation to create the necessary enabling environment for this. In this
connection, an important role devolves on the political leadership for the
development of an appropriate human resource base, and the
communication, among the various agents, of technological changes in the
pursuit of economic development. Additionally, technological advancement
should, as much as possible, be inward-looking, by relying on available
resources in the local environment and within a particular society.
Defining Development and Technology
In defining Development, the Dialogue noted the distinction that had been
made between growth and development in previous Dialogues. It was agreed
that, while the Nigerian economy has grown appreciably in the past two
decades, this growth has not transformed into development. This observation
indicates that there is a deficiency in defining development in terms of such
conventional criteria as changes in Gross Domestic Product and some other
conventional macro-economic indices.
The Dialogue agreed that a more meaningful approach would be to define
development by using social indicators. As earlier Dialogues have
convincingly shown, a more meaningful approach is to see development as
people inspired, human-centred and citizen-anchored. The Dialogue
adopted the definition given in the report of the Farm House Dialogue on
Leadership for Development. In that report, development was defined as a
process concerned with peoples capacity in a defined area, and over a
defined period, to manage and induce change; that is to predict, plan,
understand and monitor change and reduce or eliminate unwanted or

unwarranted change. Thus the more people develop themselves, the more
they would become instruments for further change The adoption of this
definition therefore stresses the practical aspects of development policies
and their relevance to the social welfare of the people. In other words, the
emphasis of development should be on its effect on the quality of life and
well-being of humankind.
With regard to technology, the Dialogue examined the relationship between
science and technology on the one hand and between technology and
development on the other. It was noted that technology developed before
science, although scientific principles instruct and are manifest in every
technology. Indeed, advancement in science has significantly helped to
improve the evolution of technology. Consequently, the knowledge acquired
from science and technology is directed at solving human problems.
Therefore, in defining technology, due recognition must be given to the goal
of technological advancement, which is to improve the well being of
humankind. Wittgensteins saying that the meaning is in the use
emphasizes the purpose which technology serves in the development
process. In view of the foregoing, the Dialogue defined technology as the art
or know-how that leads to the rational utilization of matter and energy in any
process designed to satisfy a need. Because of the relevance of science to
technology, know-how is invariably backed by some scientific principles.
In examining the link between development and technology, the Dialogue
took the view that the strategic imperative is to anchor both concepts on
what is endogenous to a people. In essence, participants believe that, as a
propelling force, technology must be internally induced if the goal of
improving the quality of life of the people is to be realized and sustained in
the long run.
In addition, the Dialogue concluded that the quality of life, though a distinct
concept from the standard of living, has considerable influence on the latter.
While the concept of standard of living is dynamic and differs from one
people to another, the quality of life of a people, as measured by their basic
needs, is specific. The relevant indices include food and nutrition, the
availability of potable water, shelter, health care, availability and
affordability of energy, education, communication and transportation,
wholesome environment, security, and human dignity.

Assessment of Nigerias Technological Situation

Participants observed that, in the past, our forefathers utilized indigenous
technology in all aspects of their productive endeavours. Relative to the
phenomenal level of development in other countries, Nigeria has barely gone
beyond the Iron Age in its technological development. The imposition of
foreign technology as a part of the overall colonization process stultified the
growth and development of Nigerias indigenous technology. The
recognition of the importance of improving on the indigenous technology
left behind by our forefathers started only a few decades ago. Since nobody
can improve on our technology for us, the earlier we disengage from the
obsession with the issue of transfer of technology and direct our energy and
resources towards the development and improvement of our indigenous
technology the better.
The emergence of industries in post-colonial Africa was everywhere the
product of research and development that were developed in foreign
countries. As a result, most African countries have today become very
dependent on externally-developed technology. The result is further
depression of our own technological and industrial advancement.
To reverse this unfavourable trend, the most realistic and appropriate
strategy is to promote the development of indigenous technology on all
fronts. This strategy is imperative if we are to fully utilize the vast human
and material resources that our country is endowed with. Specifically, our
drive towards advancement in technology ought to move in three interrelated
directions, viz:
1.

2.
3.

the improvement of indigenous technology in all fields of

economic endeavours such as health, manufacturing, farming and
construction;
an understanding of imported technology and its adaptation to fit
our resources and needs; and
the development of new technologies based on our needs and
material resources.

To achieve these objectives, the Dialogue emphasized that the following

environmental concerns must be taken into consideration:

a. The political leadership must mobilize the available human

resources towards the achievement of the stated objectives of
our technological drive.
b. It must also create a conducive environment for the
development of appropriate and relevant technology.
c. It must be able to break down any external constraints or
obstacles to Nigerias rapid development particularly in the area
of technology.
d. The direction of our scientific and technological advancement
must be towards the fuller exploitation and utilization of our
vast resources. In other words, we must first address ourselves
to those technologies that we can utilize for development.
e. There is need to document those technologies that are
indigenous to us as well as all technologies presently existing in
the country.
f. There is a further need to bring about greater interaction and
understanding among scientists, technologists, entrepreneurs,
financiers and political leaders.
g. While technologies that emanate from our culture ought to be
developed and improved upon, our cultural orientation must be
directed at promoting those technologies that will help the
country to develop and improve the quality of life of the
Nigerian people.
h. The process of industrialization requires that our natural
resources be developed into industrial raw materials.
Technology and the Political Leadership in the Development process
Participants acknowledged the critical role of the political leadership in the
promotion of technology and development. It was observed that, over the
years, most African leaders have been pre-occupied with their narrow
interest of political survival and personal security. More often than not,
issues of science, technology and development do not feature prominently
and significantly in their thinking and actions. The general trend seemed to
have been, for most of our leaders, to switch off once the issue is brought up
for discussion. In consequence, science and technology have not been given
their pride of place in development planning and programmes.

As a starting point, therefore, there is the need for a mental reorientation of

the political leadership. The essence is to create a situation whereby the
political leadership would become better informed and more conscious of
the vital development issues and the challenges confronting the country at
this critical point in its history. The situation calls for a higher level of
science and technology literacy among our political leaders if they are to
fully appreciate their responsibility for truly directing the course of national
development and mitigating the untoward influence of foreign interests and
powers.
To achieve such a position requires that our political leaders be men and
women with proven track records in their chosen professions. They must
have undergone years of grooming and self-development for leadership
responsibilities if they are to properly understand the issues of science and
technology and their impact on development. To assist them, their top aides
must also comprise individuals who have direct access to and can appreciate
advice from some of the best local minds in science and technology.
Education and Technology
The apparent decline in the quality of education at all levels is a serious
cause for concern. The inadequate development of infrastructures in our
educational systems as well as the inadequate emphasis in the courses and
curricula available on how to resolve the challenges of development all tend
to weaken the links between education and the technological needs of the
society. The Dialogue viewed seriously the limited exposure of students, at
all levels, to science and technology and indeed to meaningful and
instructive skills and industrial practice.
Given the prevailing situation, participants posed the question, Education for
what? Participants submitted that an implicit aim of any educational policy
should generally be to create awareness and consciousness of the importance
and relevance of science and technology to a countrys development effort.
Consequently, there is the need to align the educational system of Nigeria
with the development needs of the country by emphasizing the training of
students in applied sciences especially in the technical and technological
fields.

The Dialogue commended the current bias for science and technology in the
admission policy of our tertiary institutions, notably in the colleges of
education, the polytechnics and the universities. This policy was, however,
considered insufficient for the redress of the situation. Added incentives
ought to be provided for students who opt for courses in science and
technology. Participants recommended that a form of scholarship be
instituted to entice more brilliant scholars into these fields. In addition, those
who have studied science subjects should be given special encouragement to
undertake programmes that entail the continuous dissemination of scientific
knowledge and ideas. Special salary scales and further opportunities for
professional pursuits should be devised to engender a greater sense of
fulfillment and commitment among Nigerian scientists.
Participants decried the prevailing trend whereby graduates of technical
schools drift into the universities and polytechnics. This tendency to aspire
for university education is not only financially wasteful, it equally
undermines the effective utilization of critical, middle-level technical
manpower. The Dialogue therefore recommended that those who have
received post-secondary technical education should be discouraged from
applying for admission to universities. In doing this, however, their system
of remuneration and career prospects should be made good enough to
encourage them to remain as technicians. The Dialogue observed that the
limited resources available to government seemed to have been spread very
thinly by the creation of several universities and the courses they offer. The
negative reactions of the university community to the initial attempt at
rationalization were noted. Participants believed that the government could
do much to make the university system not merely a functional one but,
more importantly, one that is highly responsive and relevant to Nigerias
developmental aspirations. The common good must not be sacrificed to
assuage and satisfy narrow group interests. Any policy of government is
bound to produce both beneficial and non-beneficial effects. The important
thing is to ensure that every policy takes care of the good of the majority. In
examining the issue of rationalization further, the Dialogue took the view
that the objective of any rationalization exercise must be, among other
things, to promote and popularize science and technological education and
that rationalization should not lead to a decline in the number of students
admitted. Rather, it should create room for the rapid expansion of student intake into the universities. The Dialogue emphasized the need to mobilize all
aspects of the educational system towards the improvement of science and
technological education. Science education at the primary and secondary

school levels, as well as at informal levels, should be revived, and directed at

demystifying and popularizing science so as to make the subject interesting
to all and sundry.
In the area of leadership and scientific orientation, the special role of the
Nigerian Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, which has been in
operation for more than ten years, was stressed. The Institute can greatly
assist not only in grooming leaders in the art of governance and management
but also in making them better aware of the need to be literate in scientific
knowledge.
Culture and Technology
As a starting point, the Dialogue adopted the definition of culture, as offered
in the report of the Dialogue on Culture and Development. The report
defined culture as the totality of the way of life evolved by a people in their
attempt to meet the challenges of living in their environment. The neglect
of the modernization of our traditional methods of production and
technology in preference for imported ones was noted as the cause of
discontinuity in our scientific advancement. In the areas of agriculture,
medicine, building and construction, and food processing, for example,
traditional technologies have been set aside totally in favour of foreign
technologies. This preference for imported technology has killed the urge in
us to apply ourselves to the need to advance the cause of locally-based and
culturally influenced scientific and technological development.
There is obviously an urgent need to make recourse to the development of
our traditional methods of production so as to fully utilize available human
and material resources and produce technological products relevant to our
cultural environment. The Dialogue stressed the merit in our traditional
technologies, especially as they were evolved from our culture and
experiences. The scientific principles that informed such technologies ought
to be re-discovered and their efficacy fully investigated by our scientists for
appropriate improvements. Only in this way can we bring more people,
particularly the youth, to appreciate that technological development is a field
to which everybody can and must continue to contribute.
Given the organization of our methods of production, there appears
technologies whose management is easier, cheaper and affordable.
Incidentally, our culture is not totally incompatible with modern

management principles. Nevertheless, means ought to be found to further

reconcile them so that we do not find ourselves in a situation whereby our
culture impedes technological advancement or social development. What is
needed is a management culture that takes into account modern management
principles and traditional values.
Entrepreneurship and Technology
Participants examined the nature of the relationship between the
scientist/technologist and other relevant agents of development such as the
entrepreneur, the political leadership, and the financier in the country. There
seems to be an obvious weakness in productive interaction between these
agents and the scientist/technologist. The Dialogues believed that there is an
urgent need to establish a productive interface between relevant agents of
development. The role of government in this connection was deemed as
crucial.
In the opinion of the Dialogue, the first step must involve the creation, by
the government, of a favourable and enabling environment. There are
several ways through which the government can deliberately promote
entrepreneurship. It could, for instance, help to make better known to the
prospective investors, the abundant technological know how and scientific
innovations that are lying idle in research institutes across the nation. It
could also facilitate the interaction between scientists and entrepreneurs by
providing incentives for finance houses to effectively participate in the
commercialization of the products of our research institutes.
The capital intensive nature of setting up new technological ventures was
noted. The Dialogue felt that government could provide various types of
assistance to reduce the cost of establishing such ventures. One effective
means of doing this is to establish a number of small-scale industrial estates,
which will reduce the start-up costs for investors and entrepreneurs. In
addition, the government can also develop a system whereby machines could
be manufactured or imported and leased to entrepreneurs who might not
initially be able to afford the cost of buying their own machines.
A more deliberate effort at promoting entrepreneurship in the country will
involve the establishment of facilities for the fabrication of various
machinery and equipment. Once such a programme is accepted and
vigorously pursued, the effect would be to make industrialization cheap for

those who might otherwise not wish to venture into the field for reasons of
high cost of executing projects, bureaucratic bottlenecks and other
hindrances.
Technology and Environment
The environment within which technology is developed and nurtured is
affected by three broad factors. The first is the set of policies and incentives
promoted by the government. It is this that determines the extent to which
the environment is enabling in terms of its capability to motivate the
development of the human and material resources of the country through
technological advancement.
Second is the degree of care and interest applied in restraining the pollution
and degradation of the environment. Third is the extent to which the country
is exposed to external influences, which, in turn, is determined, to a large
degree, by how dependent the country is on others for its technology, raw
materials and consumer goods.
Naturally, the growth of industries and development in any country will
bring with it environmental problems, such as pollution, health hazards and
environmental degradation. As a country advances in its industrialization
efforts, it will increasingly face problems of urban decay, industrial pollution
and so on. To lessen the damage to the quality of life of citizens arising from
this development, efforts must be made, from the very beginning, to monitor
the effects of industrialization on the environment. In this regard, the
Dialogue commended the establishment of the Federal Environmental
Protection Agency (FEPA), whose broad mandate is to protect the Nigerian
environment from pollution and degradation.
However, available information on the performance of the agency to date
has not been quite reassuring. The Dialogue were of the view that there is
need to re-examine the structure and modus operandi of the agency so as to
make it more effective in its task of improving and safeguarding the
Nigerian environment. The present centralized location of the agency neither
makes for effective monitoring nor does it make for operational efficiency.
Moreover, the Dialogue believes that FEPA may need to engage in its own
locally derivate definition of what constitutes environmental pollution and
degradation. It may be unwarranted to assume that standard definitions, as

given in other countries, would automatically apply to the problems of

environmental pollution in Nigeria.
With regard to the external environment, there is no doubt that there are
externally-influenced groups in Nigeria that believe that it is not in their
interest for Nigeria to develop in a self-reliant manner. As a result, there is
sometimes noticeable a concerted effort to frustrate technological and
industrial advancement in the country. In order for the country to effectively
counter this external threat, it must, apart from working individually,
collaborate with other countries that are in a similar situation. Particular
reference was made to such regional bodies as the Economic Community of
West African States and the Organization of African Unity (OAU), and such
inter-continental agencies as the South-South Commission, to fight neocolonialism and under-development.
The changes that are gradually taking place in South Africa offer an
opportunity to review, at the appropriate time, Nigerias foreign policy with
respect to that country. Such reviews may become inevitable as apartheid is
dismantled. In that case, Nigeria will need to fashion its foreign policy in a
way that will maximize its interests, given the relatively high level of
economic and technological development of South Africa.
Priority and Appropriate Technology
The Dialogue examined the way forward and concluded that the process of
developing and advancing the technological development of Nigeria must
start with the identification of the priority areas and those technologies that
are appropriate for our socio-economic development. In this respect, the
Dialogue listed the following priority areas:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Irrigation and water supply;

Agro-allied industries, including food processing;
Health care;
Shelter provision and construction;
Education, especially science and technological education at all the
three tiers of the educational system;
Environmental improvement;
Appraisal, adaptation and replication of imported technology

In all cases, deliberate efforts should be made to promote technologies that

will optimize our resource use. The emphasis on appropriate technology
should start with the improvement of existing indigenous technology. For
other types, it might be useful to acquire and adapt expired patents and
licenses for local use. It may also be worthwhile for the government to
negotiate, through bilateral agreements, the procurement of discarded
technologies that might still be put to use in Nigeria. In this respect, one
example that was identified is the manual typewriter, which has become
almost obsolete in developed countries but is still very useful in our offices,
particularly in local governments and in the rural areas.
In certain strategies areas, such as iron and steel, petro-chemical and
biotechnological areas, the acquisition of large-scale and complicated
technologies is inevitable. In such cases, deliberate training programmes
should be pursued to develop a cadre of Nigerian nationals who would
understand the workings of such technologies so as to reduce our
dependence on foreign inputs and maintenance of these machines.
Given Nigerias rich raw materials and mineral resources, the thrust of our
approach to technological development should be towards the evolution of
those processes that will enable us to fully exploit these resources. In this
respect, our technological development should focus on complementing the
findings of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council.
Another issue that was identified at the Dialogue was that the promotion of
priority areas and appropriate technology demands that information on
current international research findings must be available locally to those who
are active in research in science and technology. It is also necessary that
deliberate policies on technology for communication, informatics and
biotechnology should be made so that our country does not lag permanently
behind in technological development.
Recommendations and Conclusions
After a thorough deliberation as shown in the foregoing, the Dialogue
recommended as follows:

a. That the government should take steps to appoint a presidential

adviser on science and technology, so that the President can be
informed on the current state of science and technology, and be able
to determine the policies it ought to pursue.
b. The philosophy and programmes of the Nigerian Institute of Policy
and Strategic Studies should now be comprehensively assessed so as
to make the Institute more responsive to the countrys needs. It is
necessary to strengthen studies and courses in science and technology
so as to make participants in the Institute aware of modern
improvements in science and technology, and how these can be put to
the good use of society by a forward-looking leadership.
c. It is also suggested that admission to the Institute should be restricted
to those members of the society who have distinguished themselves in
their fields of endeavour and who still have great potentials for
leadership positions in public life and in business.
d. As a way of promoting entrepreneurship, it is recommended that the
government should initiate the setting up of a body comprising
scientists/innovators, entrepreneurs, policy-makers and financiers. The
aim of the body should be the fostering of interaction and
understanding among the parties so that a better appreciation of their
respective roles in the advancement of science and technology can be
promoted as well as steps towards effective industrialization.
e. There is need to explicitly define, in the Nigerian context, what is
regarded as environmental degradation and pollution, bearing in mind
the nature of our economic environment and conditions. Also, the
threat of geological hazards must be dealt with without delay by the
acquisition of scientific equipment for the monitoring of earth
tremors, subsidence and flooding.
f. Nigeria must begin to develop its strategies for relating to an
independent and post-apartheid South Africa. The guiding principle
for any eventual relationship should be the promotion of mutual
interest within the context of continental security, stability and
development.

g. The Dialogue considered the prospects for rapid development of

technologies that will make the best use of our local human, material
and mineral resources, and recommend that the best option is the
development of small-scale and less complicated technologies, which
will make production easier and cheaper while facilitating
maintenance.
h. In order to ensure that Nigerian researchers and scientists/innovators
have access to state of the art information, it is recommended that the
government should set up a national centre where such information on
science and technology can be got. This may already have been
envisaged in the concept of the planned science village near Abuja.
i. Given the limited resources available to the state and the need to
adequately equip our universities so as to make them centres of
serious research in science and technology, it is recommended that the
number of universities should be rationalized so as to make funding
more concentrated and effective. Indeed, this exercise would allow the
universities to expand their student intake. Additionally, courses
should similarly be rationalized so as to ensure that the universities
teach only those courses that address the needs and priorities of the
country.
j. It is necessary to review the educational system so that a proper mix
of manpower can be generated. This necessitates the expansion and
proper equipment of the middle and lower level technical institutions
to achieve the universally accepted ratio of professional personnel to
technical and artisan workers.
k. Utilization of expired licences and patents must be encouraged. These
expired licences and patents must be acquired through a central
institution, made accessible to our scientists, technologies and
entrepreneurs.

Opening Remarks
by

Chairman, Africa Leadership Forum

Technology, in all its ramifications and aspects, is one instrument mankind
has had to rely on in its unceasing quest to socialize nature and to tame and
control his environment for the improvement of his living conditions and to
widen his frontier of knowledge and information about that environment.
Modern science and technology have moved rapidly and advanced so
quickly, especially since the middle of the century, that, within a space of
five years, a new technology could become obsolescent in the face of newer
discoveries. The advancements and discoveries have broken down barriers
to knowledge, and so have the products of scientific and technological
research revolutionized the living conditions of humankind. Strides, made in
the field of transportation and communication, for instance, have reduced the
world to a global village. The era of microchips has reduced hitherto
cumbersome equipment to pocket-size forms. One could count the
innumerable feats of technology in the life of mankind. While, at the global
level, mankind can thumb its chest in self-congratulation on its achievements
within the fields of science, the intolerable poor quality of life in Nigeria
does not allow for a similar conclusion. In other words, we cannot say,
without fear of contradiction, that science and technology have turned
Nigeria into a national village!
When we talk of development and industrialization, I believe that we are
essentially talking about the ideas of the inventor and the scientist, which
have been put into practice by the engineer, the technologist, the technician,
the industrialist, and the entrepreneur, and put into optimum and profitable
production by the manager. In the past, these three groups of people could
easily be subsumed in one personality i.e. the inventor being the engineercum-entrepreneur and managing the industrial production into a reasonable
business. Today, specialization and cost of production have made it a rarity
to have an inventor engineer entrepreneur manager class.
Nigerian scientists and technologists must understand the peculiarities and
seeming impatience of Nigerian investors. An environment that stimulates
technological innovation or adaptation must reward both the innovator and
the investor. But, in most cases, Nigeria scientists and innovators do not

have to re-invent the wheel. There are thousands, if not millions of expired
patents and licenses that our scientists, innovators, fabricators and designers
could pick for adoption and adaptation for which little or nothing will be
paid and which will still be very much relevant to our situation and
condition. There are even obsolescent items and equipment that are still very
relevant to our situation. For instance, manual typewriters, which are
essentially out of fashion in Europe and North America, could be picked up
for peanuts and adorn our secondary schools and local government offices
for acquisition of skill and facilitation of work in those offices. Repairs and
maintenance will be within village level skill and the costs of spare parts
will no longer be prohibitive. The same can be said for the dialing type of
telephone receivers.
If we agree that development must be people inspired, human-centred and
people-anchored, then the technology that would assist us in realizing our
goals must of necessity be informed by the same principles. This of course
defines part of our task this weekend. We must focus on the identification of
the parameters of an enabling environment that will make for rapid growth
and the popularization of technology. These parameters of the environment
must be sensitized to the sensibilities of our audience at all levels and be
made to straddle the spectrum of business, society, the academia and policy
making. I believe that the main question that should concern us must be
whether we are to allow such aspects of our culture to subsist or may be they
need be jettisoned in favour of technology. In this regard, I exhort you to pay
more than a fleeting attention to Max Placknack, who wrote in The
Scientific Biography that:
a new scientific truth does not triumph by convincing its
opponents and making them see the light, but rather because its
opponents eventually die and a new generation grows up familiar with
it..
For me, our culture must serve as the instructing context and moderating
influence of our quest for the mastery of technology. In Nigeria, we need a
new path of development and a new orientation with a new attitude. Our
development must be science-driven and technology-led while our economy
must be production-led. In the last decade of the twentieth century, it is now
widely acknowledge that literacy is not enough for development, numeracy
and science literacy must go hand in hand with ordinary literacy and
acquisition of skills. The Twentyfirst century will be, at least initially, the

century of the numerate and the technological literate. Judging by the

situation and the performances in our schools from the nursery to tertiary
level, we seem to have lost the battle before we cross the start line. We must
all be conscious of science and technology in our development effort.
Consciousness about science and technology, science literacy and numeracy
can only come through interaction with science and science teaching. From
the cradle to the grave, interaction with science and technology must be a
life-long issue starting with toys and ending with the walking stick or the
wheel chair. Technology must become part of our culture and everyday life,
not only in terms of consumption of products of technology but also in terms
of awareness.
If politics leads all other human activities for good or for ill, the beginning
for us must be the science, technology and development consciousness of
our political leaders at the local, state, national and regional levels. The
political leadership and political machinery must be able to institute
supportive policies and create a social environment that is sensitive to
technological advance and which will facilitate and increase production for
development.
There must be understanding, communication and interaction between the
political leadership, scientific community, entrepreneurs and the financial
institutions. There is not quick fix or quick money-making in investment in
technology for development. The gestation period must be recognized and
incentives such as tax holidays, and low interest loans for investment, must
be granted. There must be sustainable source of funds to finance the high
costs and risks associated with the development of sustainable technology.
There must be a mechanism for creating an interface between Science and
Industry. Where possible let us reinforce, improve and upgrade what exists.
In other words, imbibing the culture of technology would not be an
overnight affair; we need to make it a life-long process of learning and
interaction. It takes the minimum of one generation to nudge a new idea into
acceptance and it takes two other generations to ensure its sustenance.
Education, in particular science and technology, is the foremost strategic
imperative in the developmental process. We need to increase the
popularization of technical and technological knowledge. While we may not
be able to compete let alone catch up with the developed countries in certain
sectors of science and technology, we must prevent irreversible

consequences that are detrimental to our future in informatics (hoarding of

knowledge), biotechnology (patterning of life forms) and genetic
engineering (mapping of the human genome). Survival cannot be ensured
without a new alliance between science and culture to the point of fusion.
Modernization is not synonymous with westernization and we need to
discover a new universality for science and technology through culture and
cultural values.
Our vision must call for a radical transformation and development of our
society, the elimination of poverty, ignorance, disease and misery, reduction
in military expenditure, new learning process, improved educational system,
different mental attitude, reduction of inequity, injustice and waste, a respect
for bio-diversity and cultural diversity. Science and technology are
indispensable for the attainment of these goals and we can succeed only
through a re-integration of science and culture so as to ensure a sense of
purpose and to overcome the body-mind spirit fragmentation that has led
to a breakdown in cultural communication and unbalanced development of
our total being and our environment.
Unfortunately, time is not on our side, but, all the same, we must learn to
crawl before we walk if we are not to become bow-legged in our pursuit of
development.
Access to education in general, science and technology-based education in
particular, must be increased. In a similar vein, our teachers must access
their knowledge more readily to their students. Our dwarf and midget-like
achievements in the field of science and technology are largely attributable
to an attitude that we have and which, I perceive, does little good to our
technological knowledge and our development process.
Let me end this remark by pointing out that this weekends Dialogue is a
special one because it is the last Dialogue in our series on Development.
The Farm House Dialogue series on Development began towards the middle
of 1988 and as we move towards the end of 1990 we are winding up with a
fitting subject of momentous importance in our development process.
Technology. Over the last two years, we have dealt with the issue of
Management, Education, Leadership, Labour, Food, Culture, Youth and
Women in Development to mention some of the high-water marks of the

series. On each occasion, our discussions have always been free, frank in
content, and, in the reports that emanated, non-attributory.
Our task this weekend is no less important; rather, I believe its importance is
self-evident. Once again, I welcome you all to this Farm House Dialogue
and I wish you a happy deliberation.

Opening Address
by

Professor Chimere Ikoku

Chairman of the Dialogue
May I first express my profound gratitude to General Obasanjo for making
possible this gathering in continuation of his laudable efforts to encourage
dialogue in the search for solutions to our national problems through
appropriate analyses and practical suggestions and recommendations.
Respected co-participants will, I am sure, agree with me that the opportunity
that has been provided by our host for the type of brain storming we are
anticipating is both unique and invaluable. On my part, I feel singularly
honoured to be invited to chair this gathering of really august and highly
knowledgeable compatriots. In humbly accepting the task assigned to me by
the General (who is not used to his orders being turned down), I feel certain
that the quality of the discussion will adequately compensate for any
inadequacies on my part in directing the Dialogue.
Our Dialogue is on the topical theme of Technology and Development. It
therefore seems immediately relevant to pose the questions: Why
Development? Why Technology? What is the link between the two?
The Pearson Report observed that, while the less developed countries
accounted for 66% of the worlds population in 1969, their combined Gross
National Product represented only 12.5% of world total. That was in 1969,
towards the end of the so-called African Decade, when several African
countries became formally independent and formed a fair fraction of the
group of Less Developed Countries (LDCs). At about the same time, Jones
estimated that the LDCs had average annual earnings of only US$135 as
compared to US$1,800 for the developed countries (DCs).
The picture has not changed significantly today. Indeed, informed and
concerned circles are worried about the danger inherent in the widening gap
between the rich and the poor countries. Recall also the North-South divide,
the prevailing inequitable world economic order, the debt burden of African
and other so-called Third World countries, the economic mirage of THE

foreign exchange chase, the raw-materials nightmare and the withering of

efforts at industrialization.
It is pertinent to observe that the development that the mass of Africans
clamour for and which they thought, perhaps naively, would be readily
discernible soon after the successful conclusion of the struggle for
independence from extra-continental domination, has NOT yet occurred to
any significant extent. Indeed, we are all living witnesses to how
achievements have fallen far short of the expectations.
In our own Nigeria, there has been, from the accession to independence, a
culture of proclaiming National Development Plans (NDPs). Furthermore,
we seem to have accepted the polite appellation of a developing country.
There seems, therefore, enough evidence that this country accepts the need
for development. The NDPs suggest that such a development needs to be
planned. This latter dimension, of course, raises the controversial but
nonetheless extremely important conceptual issue of what direction such
national development should take. I think the Farm House Dialogue is a
welcome exercise in this context.
At this juncture, I will, without attempting to pre-empt whatever finally
emerges as our conceptualization of the terms that constitute our theme,
indicate to you my own definition of development and technology, culled
from my presentation at other fora. I crave your indulgence to allow me to
quote myself on this and some other matters that will be addressed in the
sequel.
I defined Development as the collective of activities by any human society
directed at reducing the totality of perceived obstacles to a higher standard
of living, thus maximizing the quality of life of its citizens. I further
asserted that to be purposeful and sustainable, any developmental process
must reflect, and indeed be dictated by, the resource base available to a
given society and should strive at optimal utilization of the natural and
human resources in its environment. Undue reliance on developmental
inputs from extra-territorial sources will only result in distorted
development.
Technology I had defined as the rational utilization of energy in any
process designed to satisfy a need. I further observed that, Technology so
defined is as old as man and, while it is recognized that the indices of

technology have become more involved and complex in recent years, it is

essential to underscore this primary meaning of technology since it enables
us to draw a fundamental distinction between technology machines and to
avoid the view, which I think is erroneous, that technology is something
imported into Africa from Europe. For it is our contention that the several
processes without which life could not have been sustained by our forbears,
and which are still practiced even in todays Africa, represent viable
technologies, which we have ignored at great cost to our better
understanding of our environment and the prospect of raising the level of
production.
Energy is the ability to do work possessed by a body or system of bodies.
Such bodies are referred to as energy resources.
It is now universally accepted that Nigeria is a country blessed with
enormous national and human resources. It is regrettable, therefore, that, in
spite of Nigerias mineral and energy resources, her rich flora and fauna, her
immense agricultural potential, and her sizeable population (regrettably still
imprecisely known), Nigeria may be objectively and unequivocally
categorized as an under-developed country. This is all the more glaring with
the employment of the contemporary and universally acknowledged
parameters for evaluating the level of development of nations, and which
include agricultural productivity, industrial output, GNP, energy
consumption, effectiveness of communications and information systems,
availability and reliability of data indispensable for developmental planning
and forecasts, effective deployment of trained personnel, level of literacy
and numeracy, access to medicare, life expectancy, military capability,
international stature, etc
Some situational realities vividly underscore the categorization of Nigeria as
an under-developed country. We shall only list a few here:
a.

b.

c.

A very low level of agricultural productivity resulting in a

corresponding shortfall in the availability of home-grown staple
food and the high cost of such foodstuff;
Inability to produce enough agricultural raw materials for those
industries that require them; inadequate exploration and
exploitation of the natural and mineral resources of the country;
The virtual absence of primary processing of the minerals currently
extracted with a view to producing some industrial raw materials;

d.

e.

f.
g.

h.

Over-dependence on imported raw materials for the countrys

industries due to our inability to produce such raw materials
locally;
The consumption pattern of the nations elite who have a
disquieting large appetite for goods that require unjustifiable
expenditure of foreign exchange; as well as the absence of such
heavy industries as do sustain other industries and a developed
agriculture;
A high rate of illiteracy, and low mathematical and computing
skills
Low incidence of science and technology in courses offered at all
educational levels; dearth of technical personnel and inadequate
planning in the production of such personnel; a dysfunctional
examination-oriented educational system and a wage structure,
which places more emphasis on certificates than the possession of
the technical ability to cope with specific production problems; the
paradoxical, increasing incidence of non-deployment of trained
personnel in spite of the insufficient supply of such personnel for
national needs;
A debt burden resulting largely from inefficient management of
our substantial oil earnings of the seventies and early eighties and
the misappropriation of public revenue that bedeviled the Second
Republic.

From the aforementioned disharmony between natural endowments and

level of development and the identified situational realities, it is not
surprising that the country has not yet achieved a capability to produce what
it needs for its sustenance. There is consensus, of course, that the technology
input into development, (machines, skilled personnel, methodology) is
severely constrained. We may assert, therefore, that Nigerias underdevelopment results from her lack of economic independence, which
derives, in the main, from her technological backwardness.
It must, however, be emphasized that the effacing of this technological
backwardness of ours requires, essentially, a solution of our production
problem. This is because the only hope of, and indeed pre-requisite for
achieving and sustaining the desirable goal of raising the standard of living
of our people lies in raising the level of our productive forces.

As I observed elsewhere, Technological development connotes the ability

of the nation to locate its natural resources; to transform such raw materials
into more useful products in the most efficient manner, to substitute scarce
(usually imported) resources with local (and more abundant) ones and
generally to endeavour to make the most economical and productive use of
what the country has. These desirable goals, which define technological
development, are attainable only when the country has a sizeable body of
men and women trained in the relevant sciences and technologies.
The development process must bear the imprint of a firm and clear
conceptual framework and its implementation must manifest sound
management. There must, therefore, be emphasis on local natural resources
material, energy and human. The human resources can be optimized only
through the acquisition of skills (production and management) and
appropriate orientation fully inoculated with motivation and patriotic
commitment to the achievement of rationally determined and clearly defined
national developmental goals.
Having defined technology as the rational utilization of energy in any
process designed to satisfy a need and recognizing that national development
involves planned economic activities deriving from perceived national
needs, it is readily seen that national development must depend critically on
technology for it successful implementation. Ipso facto, development and
technology are inseparable.
We have also identified, by our definition of technology, that every
technology involves energy input. It can therefore readily be inferred that the
role of energy in technology-based development is critical, and indeed
dominant.
History reveals that development is markedly accelerated by
industrialization. It also teaches us that the evolution of industrial society
derives primarily from accumulated human experience in the production and
use of energy to process raw materials, fabricate finished goods and provide
services. Jarret puts it succinctly as follows, The Industrial Revolution was
very largely a revolution in power availability. The industrial processes,
which largely determine the standard of living of any society, reflect the
level of technology of that society, which, in turn, is correlative with the
volume of energy consumption. Indeed Longrigg has presented the

interrelationship between energy consumption and other parameters that

determine the level of development in a mathematical form:

RxExI
L = ----------------------P
Where L represents the standard of living of a society (measured in
consumption of goods and services) and hence depicts level of development;
R is the consumption of raw materials;
E is the consumption of ingenuity (embracing technological, political,
socio-economic and managerial components); and
P is the population of the society.
In our setting, and with our large population, development and the higher
standard of living accruing therefrom, will demand conscious, and indeed
planned efforts at maximizing the parameters R, E and I, each of which
depends critically on technology. Clearly, therefore, our national
development will depend most crucially on the development of our
technology.
My researched view is that successful development of technology
presupposes the following:i.
ii

iii.
iv.
v.

An awareness of the problems that constrain development and the

potential of science and technology in providing the solutions;
A proper understanding of the geo-politics of under-development
and, more specifically, the etiology and manifestations of Africas
unflattering contemporary status in the international community
and the need for concerted continental strategies to terminate that
status;
appropriate orientation of the national leadership and the political
will to achieve meaningful development through technology;
The training and orientation of scientists and technologists;]
The institution of educational and enlightenment programmes
designed to achieve (i-iv) above;

vi.

The need to review the current national educational policy, assess

its ability to achieve the desired goal of the development of
technology and amend it as necessary;
vii. Integration of training programmes as well as research and
production efforts of educational institutions, research institutes
and industrial establishments and an emphasis on a workable interface between the academia and the industry and corporate Nigeria;
viii. Conceptual clarity on the crucial role of industrialization in the
process of development and the pre-requisites for an industrial
take-off, which include, inter alia,
a. ready availability, to the producer, of affordable power and/or
other energy resources (and the inter-relationship of the cost of
power/energy and that of the industrial product);
b. access to raw materials and the need to disengage such access
from total dependence on foreign exchange through the
establishment of a national chemical industry;
c. and appropriate technology with emphasis on phased reduction
of importation by encouraging local fabrication, indigenous
technology and the development of a maintenance culture;
enhancement of technical know-how through training with
emphasis on the exposure of trainees to actual production
situations;
d. effective management and, hence, the need for appropriate
training and orientation of managers of industries at all levels;
e. a work ethos that reflects discipline, devotion and commitment
to improving and optimizing productive forces;
f. appropriate remuneration and befitting social recognition of
scientists, technologists and the entire technical work force.
A careful review of the current developmental needs of the country permits
the assertion that the following industries should feature prominently in the
countrys plan for technological development.
Food production, processing, storage and distribution, Building and
Construction (shelter, roads railways, dams, canals etc).
Mining and Mineral Processing, Power generation (from all energy
resources available, Iron and Steel, Machine Tool, Ceramics, Glass, Wood
Processing, Petroleum Refining, Coal Carbonization and Refining, Chemical

(indispensable for production of industrial raw materials), Petrochemical,

Pharmaceutical, Electronic Component Manufacture, Telecommunications.
The 21st century is around the corner! We must interweave technology and
development or face the odious possibility of our nation becoming irrelevant
in the 21st century! I do sincerely hope that we will, through our
deliberations and recommendatory statements deriving there from, bring
closer to realization the vision of our gracious host and eminent son of
Africa, general Olusegun Obasanjo, in setting up the Africa Leadership
Forum and one of it active implementational modes, the Farm House
Dialogue.
Thank you for your kind attention.

8
Communication and Development
In any society, the successful conduct of public affairs depends on the ability
of the government and the governed to understand each other and to
determine together the goals of the society. Although a vast array of fast,
modern and sophisticated means of communication is now available,
established channels that served the same ends very well in the past still
existed in the greater parts of the country. If these could be integrated with
modern instruments of information dissemination, the results could be most
efficient in getting the governments message effectively to the people. For
example, during the 1963 population census, vital information was
disseminated effectively throughout the Adamawa province of the old
Northern Region, a province measuring 550 miles from north to south.
Within hours of the message being received from Kaduna and without the
aid of telephones, telegraphy, radio or television, and with hardly any
motorable roads and certainly without the use of helicopters, it was
disseminated through the length and breadth of the province. The well-tried
traditional methods of communication remain in use today and should be
preserved.
Defining Communication and Development
Communication is defined as an interactive process involving the imparting
of ideas, information, values, knowledge, feelings and so on within the
society. It is not a one-way affair from a source to a receiver but it entails a
critical feedback component without which its effectiveness is incomplete.
Communication can thus be seen as a fundamental social process covering
vast areas of human interaction. For the purpose of the Dialogue, it was
decided to limit the field of concern by concentrating mainly on the media of
mass communication, without forgetting the continued importance of the
traditional media of communication.
With regard to development, participants recalled that the Farm House
Dialogue on Leadership and Development had defined development as a
process concerned with peoples capacity in a defined area, over a defined

period to manage and induce change; that is to predict, plan, understand and
monitor change. The more people develop, the more they become
instruments for further change.
The report of that particular Dialogue observed further that increases in the
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) represent nothing more than an
intermediate, material level in such a development process. Such increases
are the products of the change process and the input for further change. The
report further identified education as the critical factor in a peoples ability
to induce and manage change. Education develops the ability to face the
challenges of making choices in a changing situation while also increasing
the choices available. The above definition of development was therefore
considered adequate for the purpose of the Dialogue especially as it
encompasses the various dimensions of development economic, social,
political and psychological, all of which needs to be kept in view when
examining the crucial role of communication in the process of a nations
development.
Actors in the Communication Process
The Dialogue recognized three main actors in the communication process,
viz:
1. Government;
2. The Public; and
3. Media Professionals.
Government, it was noted, is a dominant actor in the mass communication
process in Nigeria. Participants argued as to why this was so and whether
this was healthy for the development process. It was recognized that
governments dominant role in the communication process in Nigeria flowed
from three main factors.
1. Governments exclusive ownership and control of the electronic
media and its ownership and control of a large section of the print
media.
2. Governments dominance in domestic policy-making and in
international relations where it is, in fact, the sole actor.

3. The traditional definition of news (the main content of

communication) as events involving significant people or the acts of
such people who, invariably, are authority figures in government.
Participations reasoned that governments dominance of the communication
process is consistent with the general trend in the Nigerian society. But they
noted that this had the implications of frequently exposing government to the
temptation of manipulating information. It was argued that this temptation is
not limited only to government but is equally a factor with the media owned
by individuals or even corporate bodies. The Dialogue thus acknowledged
the sensitivity of the electronic media for such information manipulation and
the public unease about extending ownership and control to individuals who,
in any case, are likely to be the wealthy and well-connected who already
wielded a great deal of influence in the society.
Nonetheless, it was observed that the prevalence of private ownership in the
print media has been a contributing factor not only in the greater dynamism
of the media but also in the fact that access to it is more democratic. This
democratization of access as well as the diffusion of ownership had been a
critical element in minimizing the potential for abuse inherent in individual
and corporate ownership of the print media. Consequently, the issue with
respect to the electronic media could be re-phrased as follows: How could
access to the electronic media be democratized such that communication
through these media would no longer be uni-directional, top-down and one
where government does all the talking while the citizens remain at the level
of passive listeners? To correct the present situation, the Dialogue suggested
that special radio/TV channels could be designated for the use of small,
independent operators with rules of operation laid down by the government.
Furthermore, communities could be encouraged to own and operate their
own channels. This would enable them to communicate with governments
and to intimate government with their needs and their reactions to
government policies. More importantly, it would allow greater and easier
mobilization of the people towards development and integration and
facilitate inter-community communications.
Participants also examined ancillary communication facilities and services
such as the postal system, telegraphs and telecommunications. It was
observed that the present poor operational standard of these systems had the
effect of substantially raising the cost of communication in the country,
making the work of media professionals as well as general social intercourse

difficult and, in a way, undermining the nations development effort. It was

argued that a major step towards enhancing the role of communication in the
development process was for the government to pay greater emphasis on
acquiring communication systems that our present technological ability
could maintain rather than the costly sophisticated systems, which are not
appropriate for the present state of our management capability. Fond
references were made to the efficiency of the crude communication facilities
of the pre-independence period.
The Dialogue was of the opinion that, presently, in Nigeria, the public,
which is the audience and recipient of mass communication, is largely taken
for granted. The public is often seen, in the communication process, as a
captive audience with little discernment or critical faculty. It is expected to
simply respond on cue to stimuli from communicators. These
presuppositions have tended to render communication less effective than it
should be. Very often, members of a target audience might in fact not
receive the message at all or might interpret it in the light of their
predispositions in a manner not in accord with the intentions of the
communicator. Messages might even be distorted through selective attention
or selective perception or even selective retention. Hence, it is imperative
that, in the communication industry, greater attention be devoted to
understanding the characteristics of the varied audiences being addressed on
any particular occasion. It is also important in communicating development
information to devise various ways and media strategies for securing the
attention of the audience, and arousing and sustaining their interest. Above
all, it is vital for any good communicator to ensure that he generates a
feedback from the audience as a means of establishing that the message
being communicated has indeed been received and understood in the manner
it is intended to be understood.
Media professionals were identified as the third major group of actors in the
mass communication process. In Nigeria, it has been observed that media
workers are largely male, urban-based, and fairly well educated individuals
whose fluency is usually in the English language. The majority of them
could hardly communicate effectively in the indigenous languages. Thus, all
their communications are usually done in English with little or no
information processed and passed on in the native language.

On the other hand, the majority of professionals involved in the

dissemination of information in the indigenous languages either in
newspapers or on radio and television for audiences not literate in English is
usually less well educated although they too are often urban-based. The
consequence has been a variation in the quality of information and
communication processed to the two categories of Nigerians. For the
Nigerians who are literate in English, the quality and quantity of media fare
available are by far superior to what is available to this category of
Nigerians, because those literate only in the indigenous languages have a
choice, in most cases, of only one or two newspapers publishing only once a
week. One notable exception is the case of Hausa speaking Nigerians who
have access to Gaskiya Ta fi Kwabo published three times a week. The
indigenous language newspapers, moreover, tend, on the whole, to be less
serious in their orientation to issues. Their information horizon also tends to
be low and their mobilization potential relatively weak. In consequence, it
can be expected that, over time, the perception of reality as between a person
who regularly reads only the English language newspapers and another who
reads only the indigenous-language newspapers differs very widely.
The same situation holds true for radio and television. While the Englishspeaking radio listener can monitor at least four major news bulletins a day,
in addition to the hourly summaries, the listener who does not understand
English must content himself with a brief summary once or, at most, twice a
day. Entertainment and instructional programmes show the same stark
difference in their style between the two categories. The result of all this is
that the vast majority of Nigerians are marginalized when it comes to media
communication. Even where they are catered for, the information provided
tends to be very minute in quantity, and is usually distorted and of a
generally low quality. The situation, in some cases, reaches the ridiculous
extent where the so-called rural or community newspapers are published
in English and are often no more than rural editions of the English
language press.
In the opinion of the Dialogue, if development is about mobilizing and
releasing the creative energies and potentials of all the people for positive
change, there is a dire need to redirect and restructure the flow of
information for the greater satisfaction of the vast majority of the Nigerian
public. More time and attention need be paid to producing adequate, really
informative and interesting material for this audience while attempts are
made to encourage a feed-back in order to enable the assessment of the

audiences understanding and reaction to the major events taking place in the
country, especially the current economic crisis.
The Dialogue expressed concern that the quality of moral leadership
exhibited by some media practitioners in many instances leaves much to be
desired. It was observed that media practitioners often flagrantly indulge in
unethical practices and seriously compromise their integrity and hence, the
integrity of the news media as an institution. The Dialogue particularly
singled out the practice of demanding and accepting of gratification in cash
or in kind, in order to publish or to kill stories, or to promote the givers
influence. It believed that such practices exist at every level of the
profession.
The calibre of professional leadership, especially in government-owned
media, was also adjudged to be, in some instances, unsatisfactory. The best
people are often by-passed in preference for less competent people. This
often leads to a loss of morale among the staff. Ideally, a leaders authority
should match his ability and professional competence if he is to be credible
and respected.
The Dialogue called on professional associations to monitor the activities of
their members and ensure that they upheld the highest ethical standards, if
they are to effectively perform their duties as societys watchdogs and the
nations conscience.
Communication Infrastructure and Training
The Dialogue examined the various modes and processes of communication
and distinguished between the traditional and the modern. It observed that,
in a country such as Nigeria, both modes still had a place and must
complement each other. It was acknowledged, for instance, that rural
dwellers related more meaningfully to and with the traditional modes of
communication involving town criers and the village square meetings.
Moreover, it was noted that villagers have tended to give greater credence to
information emanating from traditional rulers.
The Dialogue also commended the use, by the present administration, of
what has now become known as the Peoples Parley or the Village
Forum whereby the highest government functionary in a state notably the
Governor physically meet to discuss with people in the rural areas. The

effectiveness of this method of communication and the instant feedback it

engenders were noted and regarded as highly beneficial to all concerned. It
should, however, not be a once-only affair. It was suggested that such
parleys could come to be manipulated, abused and turned into a propaganda
forum. Most participants, however, felt that the rural populace has enough
native intelligence to be able to see through such chicanery whenever it is
attempted. And at that point it would lose its value.
Traditional modes of communication have the singular advantage that their
infrastructure needs are always minimal. By contrast, most modern modes
are usually capital-intensive in their infrastructure requirements. The
Dialogue was concerned that the cost of setting up new media outlets had
become prohibitive. New printing and broadcasting equipment were
virtually out of reach of all, including governments. Even spare parts had
become so costly that it was difficult to maintain existing plants.
But the situation need not cause serious alarm because there exists a great
deal of unutilized and under-utilized capacity in the country. Newspaper
printing plants designed to run continuously for 24 hours a day have, since
their installation, been running for only three to four hours a day. Each
newspaper makes its own distribution arrangements, investing in a costly
fleet of vehicles which are hardly fully loaded on distribution rounds and
which therefore adds greatly to production costs. Broadcast equipment and
facilities are also not used optimally.
The Dialogue therefore called for a greater emphasis on the rationalization
of communication resources nation-wide. The Association of Newspaper
Proprietors of Nigeria should be able to reach some realistic understanding
as to how to bring down production costs through improved capacity
utilization of their highly expensive equipment and infrastructures .The days
when such under-utilization are accepted as a part of the strategy of mindless
competition should be seen as gone and gone for ever. The same compelling
necessity for stricter rationalization of electronic media equipment was also
called for through greater collaboration among the different governments of
the federation which, at present, monopolized the ownership of this
particular mode. Some degree of standardization of models could greatly
facilitate progress in this direction.

In view of the increasingly high cost, for the ordinary Nigerian today, of
procuring radio and TV sets and buying accessories like batteries on a
recurrent basis, the Dialogue considered the expediency of re-introducing
rediffusion sets to enhance communication effectiveness at the grassroots. It
was suggested that, far from being a retrograde step, this could be in line
with the recent development of cable television and radio for specialized
programmes in developed countries.
The Dialogue also considered the training of media practitioners
particularly those who operate in indigenous Nigerian languages. It was
agreed that these people should be trained to a level comparable to that of
those who worked in the English language media.
Training is also required for all categories of media workers. Such training
should pay due regard to issues of culture and language. It should also
emphasize subjects specialization and greater use of libraries. The Dialogue
also called for the decentralization of the media. This would entail the
establishment of community radio stations in various local government
areas. Such stations could make use of community based individuals to serve
as stringers and correspondents.
Factors Militating Against Effective Communication
The Dialogue identified three major factors as capable of militating against
effective communication. These include:
1. The Credibility of the source or the medium;
2. The Content or message being communicated;
3. Noise along the channel of communication.
The Credibility of the Source or the Medium
This factor was held to be of overarching importance in communication. If a
source was perceived as unreliable or untrustworthy by the audience, its
message would most likely be disbelieved. And if the medium was also seen
in the same light, the message would suffer the same fate. The example was
cited of how the Federal government-owned Morning Post and Sunday Post
died from a lack of patronage. The public stopped buying the papers because
of the papers loss of credibility. Instead, it often violently attacked their
publishing offices and distribution vans. Another example was from the

former Western Nigeria where many people returned their rediffusion boxes
because the medium was used to broadcast false election results.
The Dialogue noted that information sources or media outlets that had been
employed in the past to mislead or even deceive the public could not
usefully be employed to mobilize those same people for development.
Communication media could serve the interest of their owners better if they
maintained a credible image at all times rather than indulge in unrealistic
and harmful manipulation of information.
The Content or Message Being Communicated
The message being communicated could itself militate against effective
communication. If in its dissemination, language or cultural symbols that the
audience cannot decode are employed, or if there is no common frame of
reference between the sender and the receiver, a message could fail in its
effectiveness. If the message runs counter to strongly-held beliefs or wellentrenched traditions, or if it is not considered relevant to audience needs, it
could also militate against effective communication.
The Dialogue also took the position that if the communication media were to
serve as effective agents and catalysts of development, they must be
perceived to be credible at all times and must use credible sources as senders
of messages. It stressed again the need for communicators to understand the
audience as well as the culture so as to be able to employ the most effective
codes in relating to them.
Channel Noise
Channel noise was identified as another factor militating against effective
communication. This could take the form of poor signals, fuzzy pictures or
smudged print. Poor postal and telecommunication facilities as well as
government regulations, and self and official censorship, could also be
categorized as channel noise.
Communication and Leadership
The Dialogue identified as vital a strong relationship between effective
communication and leadership, whether in government, in business and
industry, in the professions or at the community level. A leader must be a

good communicator if he is to succeed in mobilizing the populace and

making them accept the hard choices that development often entails.
It is through the effective use of communication skills that a leader can
convey to the people policies and programmes of development, enlist their
acceptance and support, and strike an understanding with them. But a good
leader must go beyond this. He must be able to articulate clearly and
convincingly the goals of the society. To be able to do this, he must also
possess a clear and sincere vision and evince a strong sense of purpose and
direction.
To mobilize the people for development, a leader must possess strong
interpersonal communications skills. This entails the ability of the leader to
put himself in imaginative empathy with his audience and to come across as
one of them. He should be able to draw from experiences to which they can
relate and use symbols that will strike a responsive chord in them. He should
also be able to address the people in clear, simple language, devoid of
clichs and jargons that may overawe rather than engage their
consciousness. His message should be timed in such a way as to win the
highest level of attention.
If source credibility is important in any form of communication, it is
decisive in the case of communication by the leadership. A leader who is
perceived as untrustworthy, insincere or unreliable may possess great
communication skills, but he is unlikely to be a successful or effective
communicator. A tradition of mutual trust and confidence must exist or be
created between a leader and his audience. Believability has to be earned all
through. Oratorical versatility and verbosity do not automatically produce
such an outcome.
Leadership has the obligation to employ communication skills in the service
of national unity, national integration and national development, and in the
building of confidence and a high sense of national self-esteem among the
people. A leader must not use these skills for demagogic ends, or to
manipulate one section or interest against another. Media workers should
also possess the above qualities to a high degree. They bear a special
responsibility in assisting the leadership in its task of mobilization and
development. Media negativism, excessive skepticism and poor
understanding of issues can weaken the impact of even the best
communication produced by a leader.

Communication as a Tool of Education

Participants identified communication as crucial to development in such
areas as non-formal education, agricultural extension, for increased
productivity, and dissemination of knowledge and information on health,
nutrition, family planning, and so on.
In the areas of agricultural extension, good and appropriate communication
could facilitate greater participation by local farmers and assist in enhancing
their understanding of how to secure and use credits to raise their
productivity. Equally, it could enhance rural activities in the areas of
marketing, social service delivery, project administration, and training in
organizational and technical skills.
The agricultural extension agent is essentially a source of new information to
the majority of rural dwellers. But unfortunately, these agents are too few to
reach a sizeable proportion of this population. The same is true of social
workers. Yet, the specialized knowledge that these agents have can be
diffused to a much larger audience by using the mass media. Physical
participation can then be promoted through the less frequent contacts.
Marketing also depends, to a significant extent, on information. In the rural
areas, social services are a mix of resources and information, whether we are
dealing with adult education, health, family planning, nutrition or
community development. Efficient administration depends on effective
communication between field workers and central project leaders to get the
people to accept innovations in all of these fields. All forms of training
involve the imparting of ideas, knowledge and skills and these can be
facilitated through improved communication modes and skills.
Nonetheless, the Dialogue recognized that, while communication is a
necessary condition for development, it is not a sufficient condition. It could
not be substituted for other material resources needed for development.
Neither must it be assumed that public information with developmental
value reached everyone. The rural poor are usually isolated from such
information owing to their illiteracy and their suspicion of the
communication coming from a government they consider insensitive to their
needs and welfare. Critical as communication is to development, one
question must always be kept in mind, namely: Is it information that people
lack, or the resources for putting such information into productive use?

The Dialogue answered both of those questions in the affirmative.

Specifically with regard to information resources not being available to a
large majority of Nigerians, the Dialogue felt that while media workers
continued to do their best, there was a need to review present media
programmes and devise new strategies for reaching an increasingly wider
circle of Nigerians. The dissemination of information to the largely illiterate
Nigerian population could be packaged more imaginatively such that even
the most serious issues are presented in a manner that would grip and sustain
the peoples attention better. Media workers must also strive more than ever
before to utilize, more judiciously, the existing limited resources to enhance
the degree of public enlightenment and education of the generality of our
people.
The Economics of Communication
The Dialogue took note of the high cost of communication and of its inputs.
The cost of new communication equipment has become astronomical. So are
the costs of many inputs such as films, tapes, ink, compugraphic papers,
cameras, microphones, and so on, which also have to be imported with
scarce foreign exchange. The same constraint applies to spare parts. Even
the cost of telephoning news has risen quickly to prohibitive levels.
These spiraling costs of communication have had far-reaching implications.
They have led to increases in the cover price of newspapers, so that many
people have had to cut down the number of newspapers to which they
subscribe leading to a fall in the revenue accruing to newspaper houses.
Because of the dull business climate, advertisers have had to cut down the
number and frequency of insertions, so that advertising no longer cushions
the newspaper houses against the fall in sales revenue. The same fall in
advertising patronage has also adversely affected both television and radio
stations. Nonetheless, noting that information could not be treated as a
luxury but as an essential commodity for social interaction and societal well
being, the Dialogue suggested that government might want to consider
various means of supporting the communication industry through subsidies
and concessionary rates. In this connection, the Dialogue questioned the
basis and the wisdom of withdrawing subsidies from a wide range of goods
and services essential for the communication industry when Europe and
America were paying huge subsidies to such industries to keep them in
operation.

The Dialogue, however, recognized that the difficulties of the

communication industry could not be divorced from those of the economy as
a whole. At a time of structural adjustment, far-reaching changes were called
for, and even fundamental assumptions must be constantly questioned and
re-examined. This made it necessary to re-emphasize the paramount need for
rationalization and more judicious use of available resources. Needless
duplications should be avoided and the basis for operating as many as
twenty-nine television stations, in the country, all government-owned,
should be re-examined. Many of these stations were, participants noted,
currently finding it hard to stand on their feet, to originate their own
programmes and to satisfy the needs of their audiences.
The Dialogue also called on media houses to evolve creative ways of putting
to fuller use the considerable amount of under-utilized capacity they
currently carry. Existing printing presses in newspaper houses that hardly
used up to one fourth of their capacity should be made available to the
publishing trade group as a whole. New entrants into the publishing industry
should be discouraged from thinking that, unless they had their own press,
they were not really in business. Similarly, each newspaper establishment
should review whether it needed a fleet of vehicles, at great purchase and
maintenance costs, to distribute its titles. Clearly, everywhere in the
communication industry, there was today an overriding need to re-define
priorities and undertake significant cost-cutting measures without loss of
standard, quality and effectiveness.
Communication and the National Image
The Dialogue identified communication as a vital tool for building and
sustaining a national image that was compatible with the self-esteem of the
Nigerian populace. The present negative image of the country as a place
where nothing worked, where highly-placed persons could do and often did
whatever they liked without fear of contradiction, where merit counted for
little and where people in public life were always all assumed to be corrupt,
dishonest and nepotic all this was capable of subverting the national
psyche and doing serious harm to individual self-esteem and public
spiritedness.
The Dialogue maintained that it was necessary for media workers and the
population at large to make the vital distinction between the government of
the day and the nation. Once this was done, the media could report the errors

and shortcomings of those in power without doing irreparable harm to the

nation and to the sense of self-worth of the people. The leadership and the
news media, the Dialogue agreed, bore joint responsibility for projecting a
good image of the country the one through correct behaviour and laying
good examples, and the other through judicious presentation of facts,
without resort to suppression of truth, wrong emphasis or propaganda. Both
has the duty to motivate and sustain the morale of those striving to build a
positive and reassuring image for the nation.
The Cultural context of Communications
The Dialogue noted that for communication to be effective and aid national
development, it must take cognizance of its socio-cultural milieu. It
observed that communication was itself part of a peoples culture and, to a
large extent, reflected that culture. The critical question, however, was
whether there were aspects of the Nigerian culture that inhibited effective
communication? It was the considered view of the Dialogue that, at least for
now, this question must be answered in the affirmative. Many participants
recalled social taboos and cultural norms from their ethnic areas, which were
restrictive of information dissemination. For example, among many Nigerian
ethnic groups , questions such as the number of children in ones family or
the income earned by an individual or the nature of an individuals illness
were regarded as intrusive, if not altogether forbidden. Communication with
strangers, such as opinion canvassers or field investigations, was not
generally encouraged. At best, relating to such individuals was regarded as
the exclusive preserve of the head of household. There was generally no
tradition of giving out information for the public good.
The Dialogue believed that it was important to understand and appreciate the
origin and necessity of such attitudes. It recognized that, in the traditional
past, there was a strong need to protect the intellectual property of the
community, a practice which was virtually universal and which, in
developed countries, was institutionalized through the guild system. Modern
improvement on this practice had been to encourage formal patenting and
licensing as a guarantee of proprietorship of particular ideas, inventions and
innovations.
Nonetheless, it was recognized that this restrictive attitude to information
made the work of social research and data gathering for planning and for
development very difficult. The Dialogue noted that there were, invariably,

ways of getting around such resistances and obstacles. For example, a proper
observance of protocol could win the confidence of respondents and make
them willing to talk freely. Similarly, sheer diligence and the creative use of
an indirect rather than a frontal approach could be productive of valuable
results. An understanding of the culture, the Dialogue re-affirmed, could
often help minimize the difficulties surrounding the communication process
in a country such as Nigeria.
The Dialogue also identified language as a central factor in examining the
cultural context of communication. It observed that, in a multi-lingual
society such as we have in Nigeria, the question of a national language or
lingua franca was more of a political than a cultural issue. The adoption of
any existing language as a lingua franca, it was stressed, could only
exacerbate the tensions that currently gripped our society. But this was not to
rule out the possibility that a national language could evolve in future. For
the moment, it was generally agreed that the country had no option but to
continue to use English as its official language and as the language of
science, commerce and diplomacy.
Notwithstanding this state of affairs, the Dialogue observed that one of the
major weaknesses of our development effort to date had been the failure to
make its objectives, goals and content easily known and understandable to
the generality of the populace. For the future, the Dialogue emphasized that
development plans and programmes should be supported by well thought out
communication components. It was not enough merely to put out a plan or
programme. The role of communication in ensuring popular acceptance of
its goals and its implementation strategies should be spelt out and specific
communication tasks mapped out for every stage.
These tasks should include creating awareness of our interest in the various
programmes and projects, stimulating desire to participate in the execution
of plans as well as imparting knowledge and ideas on what were being
contemplated in the different sectors. These could be health, family
planning, nutrition, agricultural extension, non-formal education, commodity
storage and preservation, marketing, political participation, civic education
indeed any sector or programme designed to give the populace greater
control over their environment.
The communication media should, in fact, set the agenda for positive and
enduring change by focusing public attention on the need for such changes

and for better and more productive ways of doing things. The news media, it
was agreed, might not be very successful in telling people what to think, but
they could be stunningly successful in telling people what to think about. By
focusing public attention on change, which is what development is often
about, they can better prepare the people for making the necessary
transforming effort.
This kind of communication, the Dialogue held, is the product of planning,
not of chance. Specific audience has to be targeted; their access to
communication has to be assured; their needs has to be ascertained, and their
involvement in project planning, implementation and evaluation has to be
guaranteed. Access must not be equated with exposure. The possession of a
radio set is no guarantee that the set is being used (it might have broken
down) or that it was used for programmes designed for specific development
goals (it might be used for disco music). The communication industry, by
making its product interesting, relevant and enlightening, is the greatest
insurance for national development to involve the total population of
Nigeria.
Conclusion
While reviewing the broad conclusions at the end of the formal
deliberations, the Dialogue returned again to the matter of ownership and
control of the news media. Democratization of access was reaffirmed as the
better alternative to government or private ownership and control of the
news media.
The Dialogue noted that, while democratization had proven most beneficent
in countries where there was a consensus as to societal values and goals, it
could also work in a country such as ours, which was still groping towards
such a consensus. Democratization, it was held, could help build a strong
foundation for such a consensus in place of the pseudoconsensus being
forced down from above through the State monopoly of the instruments of
mass communication.
Whatever the case, carefully worked-out guidelines should be provided to
ensure that democratization constrained the manipulation of information or
the potential for doing so through the mass media. To ensure such an
outcome, the Dialogue recommended that all public media be placed under a

Trust, which would guarantee that they were not controlled by any group or
interest.
While recognizing that the poor and the disadvantaged might not be able to
profit from democratized access, the Dialogue also recommended that they
should be assisted to exercise their right of access since the media was a
marketplace of ideas in which the values and views of all significant groups
in society should find accommodation.
The Dialogue again dwelt on the question of leadership in the news media.
Because of the centrality of the news media in the social process, leadership
in the media should be entrusted to enlightened people who have clear
vision; people who would not easily be seduced or corrupted by the many
guises and disguises that power and patronage assume.
Corruption at the highest levels of media work was held to be far more
damaging than the brown envelope syndrome, which is known to afflict
junior media workers. While one may not be able to rule out, completely,
patronage in appointment to the top echelons of the media, merit and
integrity should never be totally discounted in such appointments.
The Dialogue expressed concern about what often befell daring and
outspoken people in society and in the professions, especially people who
took a principled stand on public or non-public issues and defended them
tenaciously even if that stand was unpopular. Such people deserved not only
encouragement but also protection, because the society needs them in order
to progress. The question, however, was how to institutionalize such
protection, mindful of course not to create the feeling that any manner of
opposition, to the government or any institution is being encouraged,
regardless of the import of such oppositions.

Opening Remarks
by

Chairman, Africa Leadership Forum

Effective communication as a vital aspect of the development process
revolves around the collation, processing and dissemination of information.
In effect, the main ingredient in communication is information.
The onerous responsibility for the performance of this all-important task
devolves on media workers and communicators at large. Flowing from this
is the fact that they share in the blame or praise for the state of the society at
any point in time. This is because, as communicators, they can inform and
misinform, educate and miseducate, instruct and misinstruct, advise and
misadvise, gladden and sadden, boost morale and lower morale, elevate and
distress, solidify and disintegrate, cultivate or even antagonize.
The consequence is that media practitioners, and communicators have come
to represent different things to different people. Given such a kaleidoscopic
situation, what you see, believe and understand will be a function of where
you sit, stand or lie. Again, the role of media men has more often than not
remained a function of their mood, their orientation, the interest of their
employer, or of the writer, the editor and the producer, and, at times, the
level of intimidation and/or the size of the envelope.
Media men can state the unpalatable truth. They can cover up the truth, they
can check and verify before publishing or they can go for the sensational and
the destructive. They can build and they can destroy individuals, groups,
institutions, organizations, sections, communities, subnations, nations and
the world community at large.
Media men and communicators are an essential part of the society and I am
convinced that their first responsibility in a developing country is to engage
in developmental communication. I define this to mean understanding
precisely the exact factors and elements that can integrate and disintegrate
the society because, without the community and the nation, we are all
spiritless, stateless and as a result we would be without identity and without
fulfillment in our lives.

The second thing for the information industry to note is that media men and
communicators must help in the determination and definition of what
development is all about, even as they work tenaciously and assiduously for
sustained development and growth.
In this information age of ours, it is imperative that the information industry,
which affects us in our homes, on the roads, on our farms, at our places of
work has become too important and too serious an affair to be left solely in
the hands of media practitioners and communicators. We all have to be
involved because our life, our interests, our present and our future are
shaped significantly by the information industry.
Let me quote from the acceptance speech of Alhaji Junaidu, the Waziri of
Sokoto when he was conferred with an honorary degree by Ahmadu Bello
University, Zaria.
All communities have an inner life, a spiritual dimension which
makes them what they are, gives them autonomy and helps them to
rise beyond their present state to greater achievement. I am speaking
here of the values that they have about correct relationship between
men, about the proper way to behave in conducting the affairs of men
and their own views of what constitutes their identity.
The media is one of the guardians of the morals of the society and one of the
extollers of its hopes and aspirations. Men and women of the information
and communication industry are partners and co-workers with others in the
task of nation-building and development. These men and women have an
advantage but with that advantage also goes responsibility.

Opening Address
by

Alhaji Ahmed Joda,

Chairman of the Dialogue
Let me first of all say how pleasant a change it is for me to be in these
surroundings and in such agreeable company. We have the General to thank
for both. I can imagine that it is not so easy to assemble such a group of
distinguished communicators from all over the country and to persuade them
to leave all their pursuits, to come to Ota to exchange ideas on a subject
whose importance, I think, is yet to be fully realized in our country. That you
all have agreed to come and participate is, I think, a recognition of the
importance of these discussions and of the subject: Communication and
Development.
When I received my own invitation, I did not reflect for too long before I
indicated my acceptance merely suggesting a change of date because of the
public holidays that we have just celebrated. When much later I re-read the
invitation and had the time to reflect, I realized that the term of reference
was a very wide one, even though, at first glance, it looked so brief,
especially if we take into account the times in which we live and the political
and constitutional changes that are taking place in our country.
According to the Oxford Advanced Dictionary of Current English, which is
the dictionary immediately available to me, the word Communication is
defined as the art of passing news, information, feelings, etc, with other
people and the sharing and exchanging of news, views and so on. This is
achievable by various means and the General has very carefully assembled
for us people who have, at one time or the other, been in the communication
industry in this country. I noticed that the list contained distinguished people
of pen who have been reporters and editors of newspapers and magazines of
various kinds. There are people from the electronic media, from public
relations and entertainment fields as well as some former government
functionaries and others. I think that this combination and the timing of our
get-together are no accidents of history.

At any time in the history of any people, a viable ingredient for a successful
conduct of affairs of society depends, to a large extent, on the ability of the
government and the governed to understand one another and determine in
cooperation with one another the aims, objectives, and goals of the society.
In any society, there are strong and well established channels of
communication between the constituted authority and the generality of the
people who constitutes the various nationalities. In this country, these
traditional methods exist and have been used in both out distant past and in
the present. I dare say that we will need to continue to modernize and use
these methods for as long a time as is necessary to communicate with our
people in spite of the fact that there exist fast, more effective and much more
dramatic modern means of getting across to the generality of our people. I
think we must try to use both the modern and traditional means.
Let me explain what I mean briefly. In our towns and villages, we still have
fairly efficient and well-known methods through the village heads, the
village priests, the Imams or through the town criers, through cultural dances
and traditional music and through institutions that have existed since times
gone by. I have seen before, and since independence, how these traditional
institutions have been effectively used to mobilize the vast population in this
country almost instantly. One example I am fond of relating was an occasion
in 1962 when the 1963 census was being organized. I was working in
Kaduna for the Northern Nigeria Ministry of Information and was on a tour
of Adamawa Province. I visited the office of a Councilor in the then Native
Authority. While I was in that office, a circular from the Chief Census
Officer in Lagos routed through Kaduna arrived at the desk of the
Councillor. The circular was read aloud and within a space of a few minutes,
a meeting was organized, and the contents of the letter fully explained.
Without delay, clear and precise instructions were worked out and
emissaries dispatched with instructions to have the contents of this circular
translated, fully interpreted and delivered to all. Adamawa Province from
Yola stretches about 200 miles to the North and another 350 miles to the
South. There were hardly any motorable roads! There were no telephones or
telegraph facilities to use, no airstrips or helicopters to distribute these mails
and nor did we have any radio or television station to broadcast to the
people! The method used then can still be used today to good advantage. All
the artistes were employed to good effect and messages were fully
understood and communication was prompt and effective. Of course, it is a
fact that everybody knew then that there was going to be a census. The
important thing is that the import of the census, its organization and so on

had to be understood by the people. Again, apart from knowing, it means

that the government leaders and the Native Authorities, the Chiefs of every
village were made fully aware and made conversant with what the
government was to achieve and why. The machinery was efficient and
communication fairly regular in spite of the various handicaps of the time.
Much later, we were faced with far more serious problems and we had to
employ all the resources at our disposal to mobilize our people in order to
keep the country intact for the future. This, in the circumstance of the time,
was not easy, but it had to be done. In 1967, 1968 and 1969, we had to
employ to the full the modern as well as the traditional means of mobilizing
the population in this country for the purpose of preserving the nation. I
think, to a large extent, the employment of these varieties and methods of
communicating with people helped to mobilize them for the purpose at hand
and assisted government greatly in achieving the national goals.
It is important, perhaps more important today than in the past, to strengthen
the interaction between the leadership of this country and the generality of
its people. It may be that the integrity of this country has been preserved and
it may be that it will be difficult to threaten again our existence as one
country in the same way as happened in the mid 60s. However, our desire is
not only to maintain our integrity as a nation; we desire to be united, strong
and determined in order to develop our country, its resources and all its
people. This, we cannot achieve while we remain divided in our aims, our
goals and our objectives and if we remain suspicious of one another. Those
of us who have had the exceptional opportunity of living, working and
interacting in different parts of this country and with different people do
know that some of the fears and suspicions that exist and which militate
against our working together for some of the time with the same common
objectives are not really well founded. We all have more or less the same
problems and the same yearnings. It will pay us better to try and understand
these and to know that, in spite of weaknesses and impediments here and
there, many Nigerians do live and work happily together in towns and
villages other than their own and do make their living in peace and
happiness. Some of the tensions that arise from time to time need not
generate the heat they do now if there is good communication not only
between individuals but also between private and official institutions and
among the leaders in government, leaders of the community and the ordinary
people.

I think that a group like ours is well placed to discuss this subject and to
propose new directions for effective communication at all levels between all
of us, between us and those who have the responsibility to govern and to
lead us in these trying times. I think in their own way, the people have
indicated that they want a virile, strong and dynamic Nigeria. It is the duty
of some of us to work out the modality for achieving these developmental
goals and ease the burden on our people.

9
Rural Development
The poor quality of life in our rural areas can be attributed partly to the
differential distribution of amenities as between urban and rural areas. In
order to bring about real development in the rural areas, there must exist
active collaboration between government, non-government agencies, the
private sector, communities and the rural communities themselves. Only
such a collective attempt can improve the quality of life of these
communities and significantly reduce the rate of rural-urban migration.
Definition of Rural Areas
Rural areas are characterized by their depleted work-force, their rudimentary
and inefficient mode of production, their general lack of basic infrastructure
and social amenities such as safe potable water, all season access roads,
telecommunication, electricity, schools, medical facilities, good houses and
recreational facilities, the paucity of processing factories, markets, banks,
storage depot and machine repair shops and their low levels of health care
delivery, nutrition, hygiene, education and social awareness. For these
reasons, rural areas are normally unable to fully harness their abundant
natural resources.
On the other hand, rural areas have managed to preserve their age old
traditional and cultural linkages and heritage, and thereby are more socially
stable and more amenable to mobilization through respected leadership and
acceptable organization.
In the report of the first Farm House Dialogue, development had been
defined as a process concerned with peoples capacity in a defined area
over a defined period to manage and induce change; that is, to predict, plan,
understand and monitor change and reduce or eliminate unwarranted change.
Thus, the more people develop themselves, the more they would become
instruments for further change.

Rural development must therefore entail a programme of activities directed

at increasing the efficiency of rural population such that rural energy is
released, output, quality of life and productivity are enhanced, education and
sanitation are promoted and resources are optimally exploited. However,
unwanted or unwarranted changes must be reduced or eliminated. For
example, rural development must avoid importation of ugly characteristics
of urbanization such as traffic jams, unemployment, slums, human litter,
inflation, crime, corruption, cheating, a consumer appetite, pollution, an
uncaring attitude and despair.
Organization in the Rural Areas
The Dialogue observed that although organizational setups in the rural
areas of Nigeria are, on the surface, quite complex, they vary from one area
to the other only in particulars. Rural organization in large parts of the
northern zone of the country, for instance, is based on the authoritative
hierarchical structure, in which directives come from above, right from the
traditional ruler down to the district heads, the village heads, and the ward
heads. Occupational groupings supplement this set-up in rural organizational
structure. On the other hand, in most parts of the southern zone of Nigeria,
the rural communities have traditional rulers who have consultative
representatives down the line to the family level. These communities rely
heavily on very important and powerful groupings, such as age-grades,
women societies, thrift societies, vigilantes, the Anambra State Government
recently tried to regulate both these traditional associations and the cultural
associations and the cultural or town unions through edicts. This has,
predictably, engendered conflicts between the state government and the
traditional rulers and town unions.
The Dialogue observed that the various traditional and cultural groupings
and associations have been the most willing and ready tools for development
especially human resources improvement and the provision of amenities in
their communities. The rural areas demonstrate a considerable amount of
communal spirit, and are quite amenable to change when they are taken into
confidence right from the planning stages. Government agencies, such as the
Directorate for Food, Roads and Rural Infrastructure (DFRRI), the River
Basin and Rural Development Authorities (RBRDAs), and similar
organizations have conceptualized and carried out development programmes
to varying levels of success in rural areas of this country. The Dialogue had
no difficulty in arriving at the conclusion that the most functional and

effective institution in Nigerias rural areas today is the traditional

organization.
Government Policies Past, Present and Future
It was noted with concern that the rural environment is undergoing serious
degradation as evidenced by reduced soil fertility, soil erosion and
desertification. These derive largely from agricultural and other activities
involving deforestation and the destruction of watersheds. These latter
activities are likely to continue and even to increase as a result of population
pressures in rural areas.
The Dialogue reviewed the successive efforts to promote rural and
agricultural development in the country. Mention was made of programmes
such as the National Accelerated Food Production. Programme (NAFPP),
Integrated Agricultural Development Programme (ADP), Operation Feed the
Nation (OFN), River Basins Development Authorities (RBDAs), Green
Revolution Programme and the Back-To-The-Land Programme. The
operations of agencies such as the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, ADP, the
International Institute for Tropical Agriculture, the faculties of Agriculture
of Nigerian Universities as well as the two universities of agriculture, the
Agricultural Research Institutes and the Directorate of Food, Roads and
Rural Infrastructure (DFRRI) were also noted. The weaknesses and areas of
strength of each of these agencies with respect to rural development and the
maintenance of rural environmental quality were evaluated.
The Dialogue observed that the activities of many of these agencies were
complementary, and that a certain level of successes had been achieved by
each one of them. The major problem, however, was that the impact of these
various activities on conditions in the rural areas has been very much less
than can be expected from the resources expended on them. While it was
clear, as participants observed, that the country does not lack the ability to
diagnose its problems and to prescribe remedies, what is usually missing is
the ability to successfully execute the programmes put together. The result is
the general lack of progress and development in the rural areas and the
grossly inadequate performance of associated sectors of the economy. It was
argued that one reason for this state of affairs is the lack of continuous
support and sustenance (financial and otherwise) for programmes.
Development programmes are usually started with great fanfare by each
government. The next regime or administration succumbs easily to the

temptation to discontinue inherited programmes and projects and proceed

hurriedly to impose new ones so that fresh contracts may be awarded. The
result is that there is no coherent or long-lasting policy on rural development
in the country. The Dialogue concluded that all efforts at developing the
rural areas of Nigeria would yield little dividend if cooperation, coordination and continuity do not form the corner stones of any programme or
policy designed for the purpose.
Factors of Rural Development and Methodology for Change
Certain factors were considered crucial for the overall transformation of the
rural areas of Nigeria. These include:a. Democratization of access to resources, institutions of
governance, information and knowledge;
b. Effective participation of the rural dwellers in the decision
making process;
c. The ability of rural communities to articulate their problems
and needs in the context of the development programmes of
government agencies;
d. The ability of rural communities to deal decisively with the
problems of local development independently of direct central
government assistance or involvement;
e. Strengthening the capacity of communities to identify their
basic problems, set their priorities and be able to utilize
alternative sets of solution in their decision making process;
f. Strengthening the capacity of communities to mobilize their
resources, financial and otherwise;
g. Embracing community control over resources considered
essential to their development.

In reviewing the current state of affairs in Nigerias rural areas from the
above perspectives, the Dialogue concluded that, for an effective and
thorough-going transformation, rural development must be participative,
people-centered, and skill developing while depending largely on local
resources. In the opinion of participants, it is very crucial that, with
minimum assistance, rural communities must be empowered to deal
positively and decisively with the environmental problems confronting them,
pursue a wider range of activities to increase their productivity and be more
seriously enlightened to promote greater attitudinal change and skill
acquisition amongst their members.
Participants took the view that three main principles are germane to and
must instruct, inform and guide policies aimed at meaningful rural
development. These are:
a. The recognition that sovereignty resides with the people, and, for rural
development, with the rural people and that local government, as the
third tier of government, must be a real and meaningful actor in the
development arena at the rural level.
b. The appreciation that for the rural populace to be able to exercise their
sovereignty and assume their responsibility for development, they
must have the necessary resources (adequate revenue allocation from
federal and state sources and internal capacity to generate their own
revenue locally) as well as access to relevant and desirable
information for development. They must also be encouraged to
develop the capacity to be able to hold the government and its
functionaries accountable for any acts of commission or omission on
the latters part.
c.

The acceptance by all those who, by their office, are responsible for
helping rural people with their development, that they are outsiders
and their role is more than to support the communities in their quest to
achieve self reliant development.

Once these three principles are recognized and accepted, the methodology or
promoting rural development can be spelt our as entailing the following:

- generating interest in and commitment to rural development

programmes through determining who must do what, when and with
what appropriate level of incentives during the implementation
process;
- sustaining the interest so generated and the motivation of the rural
population to work by ensuring that programmes are designed to
ameliorate felt need and inadequacies and that they are pursued only
for as long as they remain relevant to a high percentage of the rural
population;
- engendering trust and being considerate to the self-esteem, identity,
rights and independence of thought and action of the participating
community. It is imperative that rural dwellers must be able to
identify with their development programmes, know that these are
theirs and that outsiders are only helping them in the process of
implementation;
- action, the basis of which is power equality, shared knowledge and the
dissemination of information on the programmes to all the parties
concerned;
- Seeking to build, within the rural community, a sense of their own
humanity and of their links to the land and to the environment as the
sources of life and spiritual sustenance.
The Dialogue noted that, at present, there are many government agencies
whose activities are ostensibly directed at developing the rural areas of the
country. There include:
-

the River Basin Development Authorities (RBDAs);

the Integrated Agricultural Development programme (ADP);
the Directorate of Food, Roads and Rural Infrastructure (DFRRI); and
the three tiers of governments (Federal, State and Local).

The role of these various agencies seem to overlap without any

specialization. In the opinion of participants at the Dialogue, that explains, in
part, why the level of success in developing the rural areas has not been
greater than it is. Participants felt, for instance, that the focus of attention of
DFFRI was rather vast and that local governments, after the present military

regime, can be expected to crave to take over most of its functions especially
after 1992. Participants recommended that greater attention be paid by
government to reducing the wastes occasioned by duplications and
overlapping of activities of various agencies.
The Dialogue emphasized the need to strengthen the capacity of local
government to seriously promote rural development by giving them the
wherewithal to perform their function efficiently and effectively as the basic
instrument and agent of development at the rural level, working hand-inhand with the rural communities.
After a careful consideration of the present state of affairs and certain
aspects of the political and administrative history of this country, the
Dialogue made the following recommendations:
1. That clearly articulated policies on rural development be jointly
defined by the Federal, State, and Local Governments in which goals
are fully spelt out, and measurable criteria and targets put in place;
2. That the implementation of such policies be overseen by a powerful
committee (headed by the Chief of General Staff or Vice-President at
the Federal level and Deputy Governor at the state level);
3. that each of the three tiers of government federal, state, and local
should have its own delineated responsibilities and financial and other
resources contribution in the development of the rural areas. It is the
view of the Dialogue that both the federal and the state governments
should refrain from shifting their responsibilities to the local
government, especially when corresponding financial allocations are
not made to this end;
4. that local governments, as the third-tier of government, should be the
main instrument and agent of rural development because they are
closer to the people;
5. that the rural communities, as beneficiaries of the programmes of the
various governments, should be involved in the conceptualization of
these programmes. When such programmes have firm roots in the real
needs of the communities, it will be more difficult for a new
administration to discard them;

6. that local governments currently lack executive capacity, and

therefore need to be strengthened in this regard, if they are to perform
creditably their proper role as the main instruments or statutory bodies
for the implementation of the goals of rural development;
7. that in the mean time, local governments should be allowed to subcontract various projects to other agencies who have the capacity to
implement them. For example, the RBRDAs are best placed, today,
because of their executive capacity and adequate facilities, to
implement some programmes in the rural development process;
8. that the usurpation of the powers and erosion of autonomy and abuse
of local governments by state governments should be discontinued. It
seems that state governments delay unduly the approvals of the
budgets of local governments and do not pass on the funds meant for
them as and when released by the federal government, thus weakening
their capacity to perform. Funds due to local governments should be
directly released to them by the Federal and State governments as the
case may be. Local governments should also budget within their
projected revenues and should need no approval from state
governments;
9. that the local government should be accountable to the people they
serve. This can be enhanced through the greater involvement and
cooperation of rural communities in executing development projects.
It is recommended that, apart from strengthening the staffing of local
governments, there should be opportunities to be involved in the
supervision of development programmes.
The formation of community development associations, which is being
promoted by DFRRI, and the setting up of citizens monitoring and accounts
committees, would assist in this regard. The workings of these two
institutions must not be subjected to the whims and caprices of local
government officials or functionaries. Another variant of such institutions is
the Peoples Assembly, consisting of ward appointees. Owing to their
functions as public watchdogs, it may be necessary for these institutions to
have resources to carry out their functions and to make public their finding
and reports. Without prejudice to the foregoing, external auditors should
periodically and regularly examine and make reports on the accounts of local
government as is done in the case of commercial organizations.

Education, Health and Nutrition of Rural Dwellers

The educational policies of the federal government, also adopted by both the
state and local governments, were reviewed in so far as the rural areas were
concerned. The Dialogue considers that the responsibility for primary
education should be or should remain vested in local governments and the
communities. The Dialogue noted with satisfaction the recent adoption of
the policy of nine years of compulsory education by the Federal
Government, as recommended in Dialogue number two on Education for
Development. The Dialogue believed that the move would ensure that all
children attain a certain minimum level of education and acquisition of skills
upon which future endeavours could be built. Participants suggested that
enough schools, staff and facilities should be provided in the rural areas in
order to afford all children the opportunity of benefiting from formal
education for, at least, nine years, and ensuring that a firm foundation is laid
for them to be able to utilize their heads and their hand productively for the
rest of their lives.
Nomadic education, as it is now planned, practised and implemented, was
regarded as being expensive and largely wasteful of resources. It is the
considered opinion of the Dialogue that first things must be done first. The
pastoralists must first be settled and provided with water and all year round
pasture in order that the conventional type of schools could be established
for their children. It is now known that the pastoralist are amenable to a
settled mode of life, as evidenced by several settled groups found in many
parts of the country.
The Dialogue was concerned that child-marriages have also continued in
certain parts of the country, and have impeded the execution of the policy on
compulsory education initiated by the various governments. They have
resulted in female education continuing to lag behind that of males in the
communities where they are accepted as customary and contracted.
The Dialogue recommended that primary health care be transferred to local
governments and the communities. However, adequate funding is necessary,
especially as previous commitments by both the federal and state
governments were not met. The Dialogue noted with satisfaction that certain
health policies are already in place and are doing well, for example, the oral
dehydration therapy (ORT) campaign and the immunization of children and
expectant mothers against common diseases. Participants observed that the

various efforts and activities of governments in health care delivery in the

rural areas would be given a fillip and greatly enhanced if potable water
were made more easily available to the rural communities. This would serve
to eliminate the menace of guinea-worm and other water-borne diseases, and
save valuable man-hours lost as a result of the ravages of these endemic
diseases.
Some state governments have recognized and registered or plan to register
traditional medical practitioners with a view to regulating their practice visa-vis the western-type medical practice. Participants regarded this as a
desirable development.
Food is not scarce in the rural areas of Nigeria, but protein malnutrition, as a
result of low animal protein intake in the diets of rural dwellers, especially in
the southern, non-riverine areas of Nigeria, is assuming undesirable
proportions in these hard economic times. Children and pregnant women
suffer most in this regard. This escalating trend is due to several factors
among which are:
a. Unaffordable animal protein, such as meat, milk, eggs and fish;
b. Increasing population pressures and the attendant deforestation of the
rural areas, such that game animals, hitherto the main rural source of
animal protein, are now quite scarce, and
c. Early weaning of infants from breast milk, thus exposing the children
to malnutrition and its attendant health problems, and their mothers to
unplanned pregnancies due to the removal of the contraceptive effect
of breast feeding.
It was recommended that serious attempts be made by the various tiers of
government to address the problem of protein malnutrition in rural areas.
Mixed farming should be encouraged, thus providing some animal protein
for the families and, at the same time, encouraging the rural farmers to
acquire a culture of keeping and rearing livestock. Besides, RBRDAs and all
such organs that have the appropriate skills should assist with the provision
of the necessary inputs, including the technology, for agriculture in the rural
areas. The implementation of these strategies will substantially enhance the
availability of animal protein, at affordable prices, and hence improve the
nutrition and the quality of life of the rural dweller.

It was the consensus of the Dialogue that public enlightenment of the rural
dwellers is crucial. Rural dwellers should know what their rights and
responsibilities are and how they could improve the quality of their
existence. They should be taught simple modern skills that are necessary for
their survival and the improvement of their environment. Village elders,
religious leaders and teachers in the community schools could be profitably
used in this regard.
Housing and Town Planning in Rural Areas
The Dialogue reviewed the current status of housing in the rural areas of
Nigeria. It was of the opinion that the traditional patterns of building and
housing have stood the test of time and are generally good. However, the
situation is not satisfactory, especially in relation to some of the materials
used in building, such as thatched roofing, which is usually not durable.
There are abundant local materials for the building of houses. All that is
needed is the better utilization of these materials in various ways and
patterns, and their improvement to ensure their durability.
That is why the Dialogue believes that research into the local building
materials and modes of traditional architecture is a sine qua non for the
improvement of the quality of housing in the rural areas. The provision of
information and methods of using the traditional materials for cheaper and
more durable buildings should be encouraged. The Nigerian Building and
Research Institute, (NBRRI) the Nigerian Institute of Architects as well as
the Federal Ministry of Housing should intensify research efforts to enhance
the performance of their responsibilities in this regard. Efforts at the
production of durable mud bricks, roofing and flooring materials are
currently in progress and must be encouraged. Research into and
development of solar energy for use in both rural housing and rural
household is particularly advocated.
Local governments should set up effective housing units charged with
providing information and assistance on the selection of housing types and
materials that would create the desired effect and methods of building more
cheaply. This unit should also be charged with the task of erecting prototype
buildings, which should be strategically located within the rural areas for
prospective house owners to examine and copy. The provision of soft loans
should of necessity be part of this effort although this needs not be the
responsibility of this housing unit.

The current planning of the physical environments does not seem to extend
to the rural areas. It is considered that more modern concepts of townplanning be applied to the rural areas early enough to stave off the
development of sprawls that would, in future, be re-planned only with
extreme difficulty and at great expense in a renewal bid. The Dialogue
emphasized that any physical planning must, however, take into
consideration and have respect for the cultural, social and religious
circumstances of the people.
The provision of all weather roads and other avenues for accessibility must
be considered earnestly because of their effects on the economic well-being
of the people as well as their self-esteem. These roads will also allow for
proper planning and distribution of amenities, such as electricity and pipeborne water to the housing units which, undoubtedly, are rapidly increasing
in number due to population pressures.
It was again recommended that the local government be allowed to perform
this role satisfactorily with the provision of financial support from both the
State and Federal Governments, as well as from private organizations,
Banks, International Agencies, Trusts and Foundations.
Agriculture and other Economic Activities in the Rural Areas
The most important single occupation, and indeed, the mainstay of the
economy of the rural areas is farming. This is characterized by small
holdings, bush fallowing, and the use of poor genetic strains of plant crops,
poultry and livestock. Indeed, rural agriculture is predominantly subsistence
agriculture, in which only surpluses are sold for income to meet current
obligations.
Various aspects of rural agriculture were examined. The Dialogue made a
number of observations, one of which is that there has been inadequate
government support for land-clearing, which often entails a great deal of
drudgery for the peasant farmers. Inputs such as farming implements,
fertilizers, herbicides, improved seeds, transportation and storage facilities
are expensive and rural farmers are not always assisted to secure them.

The Dialogue, therefore, recommended that, in view of the problems facing

rural farmers, the local governments, as prime movers of the rural
development, should be encouraged to assist farmers in land-clearing so that
more agricultural land can be opened up and cultivated on a continuing
basis. Farmers should also be assisted in the procurement of tools and
implements such as cutlasses, hoes, shovels and wheelbarrows that will
enable them to carry out various operations in their farms and in the supply
of improved seeds, fertilizers and chemicals. What farmers need most is
assistance, timely assistance and not charity.
Storage of harvests is a major difficulty in the rural areas. It was suggested
that improved methods of processing and storage be introduced for peasant
farmers. The government can start with simple improvement of traditional
methods. This should go hand-in-hand with an efficient and rewarding
marketing system that attracts better prices for farmers produce, and also
provides better prices to the consumer. Well-managed marketing and
processing cooperatives will be critical in attaining this goal.
For yields on peasant farms to increase and to provide more surpluses for
sale, farmers must do away with low-yielding varieties of plant crops and
farm animals. Research into the improvement of the genetic strain of local
crops and farm animals has become imperative for agricultural development
in Nigeria with a view to producing high-yielding varieties. Seed companies
for producing and distributing such high breeds must be established and
made to locate all over the rural countryside.
Farmers should be encouraged to adopt mixed-farming so as to diversify
their enterprise and reduce the risk and consequences of crop failure. The
benefits accruing from this include the availability of more animal protein
for the family, enhanced value and income derived from the sales of farm
animals when the need arises, manure from the animals, which enriches the
land for plant crops, and the availability of grain and crops residues for
feeding the animals. In the southern parts of the country, this system will
entail promoting a livestock culture among farmers; something that is
presently lacking.
The productivity of Nigerian agriculture will increase very slowly (indeed, if
at all) unless extension services are made far more available in the rural
areas than is presently the case. Extension service personnel assist the
farmers in the solution of a wide range of problems on the farms and in the

adoption of new methods and strains of crops and livestock. Local

governments and other agencies of government must develop effective
extension services that must be made available to rural farmers at no cost to
the farmer.
Women are very important in food production in many parts of Nigeria,
playing a role often greater than that of the men folk. Yet these women are
not allowed to borrow money for their productive activities. The various
financial houses feel unable to provide them with the credit they need.
Women are thus marginalized in vital aspects of decision-making with
regard to agricultural and other productive activities in the rural areas. The
Dialogue recommended that this issue of womens economic role in rural
communities should receive greater policy attention. Programmes should be
developed, specifically aimed at expanding the access of rural women to
credit facilities and to other opportunities for their meaningful participation
in the development of the rural economy.
Apart from agriculture, there are other economic activities that engage the
attention of certain groups in rural communities. These activities include
petty-trading, blacksmithing, masonry, carpentry, tailoring, traditional
medicine, hunting, fishing, pottery, weaving, carving and the semiprocessing of foodstuff. Income from these activities complement those
derived largely from agriculture. Consequently, the Dialogue emphasized
that the training of rural dwellers in these and other skills, especially
carpentry, tailoring, automobile mechanics and hairdressing should be
deliberately embarked upon. Such programmes could in fact, serve to stem
the present high flood of urban migration of rural youth. The shortage of
capital is an extremely limiting factor in the rural areas. Financial
institutions should be created at the rural community level for the solepurpose of providing financial loans to rural dwellers without the hassles and
conditionalities of urban commercial banks. This latter group of banks must,
however, review their procedures to make them provide the needed
assistance and support for the growth of the rural community banks.
Conclusion
Participants at the Dialogue reiterated their conviction that a wholesome
programme of rural development must articulate activities directed at
increasing the efficient utilization of the energies of the rural population and
the resources of their environment such that their output, their productivity

and the quality of their life can all be greatly enhanced. Conscious and
deliberate efforts must therefore be made, through education and general
enlightenment, to reduce or eliminate totally unwarranted waste and protect
the rural population from destabilizing change.
Local governments, it was re-emphasized, must be seen and treated as the
wheel and hub of progressive change and development in the rural areas.
The Federal and State Governments must focus upon them as the major
agents of development in the rural areas. An important aspect of such
recognition is also the need to organize the rural populace so that it can serve
effectively as a monitoring factor to enhance accountability and increase
checks and balances in the process of development and of ensuring optimal
utilization of allocated resources. Rural development must be understood
and practised as self-development by the rural communities. Outsiders can
only lend a helping hand or act as catalysts. Urban development at the
expense of the rural sector may be socially and politically destabilizing in
future.

Opening Remarks
by

Chairman, Africa Leadership Forum

Our focus today is on rural development as part of the overall socioeconomic transformation of the Nigeria polity.
We cannot but agree with the observation that the foremost prerequisite of
all economic and social development is the release of the creative energy
and potentialities of all the people but particularly of the majority of the
people held down and crippled by decades of degrading neglect. I refer here
to our rural areas.
The intolerable poor quality of life in our rural areas is, to some extent,
attributable to the dichotomy in the distribution of essential social services
and economic activities between our urban and rural areas.
I agree with this issue of provision of assistance for upward mobility but my
first suggestion is that we need to re-organize our decision-making process.
In other words, the first step in effecting a true transformation of the rural
areas must involve anchoring, localizing and devolving the locus of
decision-making inputs, in the economic, social, and political sectors in the
rural areas and the rural people themselves. We must start to listen and
encourage our rural dwellers to come up with what they think will be good
for them rather than imposing on them what we think they need. And this is
what we should help them to implement.
I am convinced that one of the major indicators of our failed and failing
attempts at developing the rural areas is the vexatious, confounding,
defeating and indeed confusing phenomenon of rural-urban migration. As at
1980, a city like Lagos already had a population of about 4.5 million.
However, the city received about 833 migrants daily. In more graphic
details, it meant that about 35 persons arrive in Lagos every hour, most of
them to stay. I am sure that the current statistics could be more
disconcerting. The discernible consequence has been a devastating strain on
all urban residents in terms of increasing the incidence of crime, congestion,
pollution and inadequacy of social infrastructure and amenities. The
consequent national picture is that of urban decay and rural stagnation.

Again, there is the important issue of what our mode of reference for a rural
area is. What are the denominators of a rural area? Is it enough to accept that
any community with a population of less than 20,000 inhabitants is a rural
community, without taking into cognizance the stage of physical planning in
each community, availability of basic infrastructures, presence of
industrial/commercial enterprise, standards of habitat, and the socioeconomic and cultural standards of the community?
Of equal significance and salience to our discussion this weekend is the
issue of how to enhance the income earning capability, capacity and
potentials of the rural dwellers. We must not and cannot run away from the
fact unless and until we develop, enhance and augment the income-earning
capabilities and capacities of the rural dwellers. Whatever we do to physical
development of the area would, in the large part, remain essentially a social
waste. Of what use will be 1000 lines of telephone in a rural area when the
absorptive capacity for production cannot utilize more than ten lines? Our
main task this weekend has to involve deliberation and suggestion coming
up with how to boost productivity in our rural areas in addition, if you like,
to making of arts and crafts.
Much as I agree with the exhortation of President Julius Nyerere, the former
President of Tanzania to his people in 1967 at The Arusha Declaration that
while other people might aim at reaching the moon, while in the future we
might aim at reaching the moon; present efforts must be directed at reaching
the villages. I cannot but add that, in reaching the villages, we must not
abandon thoughts on the problems of urban stagnation and decay.
Whatever our recommendations and proposals may be, we must keep in
view the fact that rural development must not lead to urban neglect,
disintegration and decay. My conviction is that the flip side of our coin of
rural development must be urban improvement and transformation. Both the
urban and rural areas must engage our attention if we are to avoid a situation
whereby we hold one area down while the other tries to grow.
Our efforts at rural development must be made to include a responsibility for
the environment. This must be made total, systematic, progressive and
irreversible. By this, I mean that our care for and protection of the
environment must be made to go beyond sanitation exercises once a month.
It must involve a conscious, deliberate and continuous effort aimed at
preventing the depletion of our forests and wooded areas. Chopping down

trees for firewood might, for now, appear as a logical and practical
alternative to the unavailability of other sources of energy. Yet, we should
consider the costs in terms of reducing our survival ability in the absence of
adequate plant life and the destruction of the biosphere.
I believe it is incumbent upon us to stem the tide by democratizing access to
other sources of energy. This challenge must not be seen as a challenge for
government alone. We must seek and devise a means through which nongovernmental agencies can be made to contribute to effective rural
development and environmental protection.
The transformation of the rural areas must be made the joint responsibility of
both government and non-government agencies and institutions and the rural
communities.
I shall end these opening remarks of mine by reminding all of us of the free,
frank and non-attributable nature of our dialogue and the recommendatory
nature of our reports. I believe we can all look forward to an interesting and
instructive weekend. Once again, I welcome you all to the farm and
particularly former Governor B. W. Juta who is acting as Chairman this
evening.

10
Education for Development
There can be little doubt that education is the key to the development of a
peoples ability to manage and induce change whilst also facing the
challenges of making choices and of increasing the range of choices. If
development entails a free release of the energy of a people, education,
particularly the right kind of education and in its widest sense, is the only
means of bring about such a release and at the same time facilitating the
emergence of a political structure that will throw up the right kind of leaders.
Consequently, education for development (and particularly for local
development) must be recognized as a veritable agency in the arduous task
of democratic learning and adaptation.
But what is meant by education? Education must be understood as
entailing a life-long formal and informal process of equipping an individual
to be fully aware of his environment and to exploit, manage and dominate
same for the benefit of himself and the society at large. Education should not
be construed as merely the acquisition of literacy or other skills or the
preparation of individuals for the employment market. It must be seen as a
process in which an individual is engaged virtually from the cradle to the
grave.
The Relevance of Education Curricula
The Dialogue observed that education must not be regarded as consisting of
a distinct set of activities operating within a community but as a continuous
process of improving the quality of life of the people. To this extent, the
content and curricula of both formal and informal education have to be
evaluated to determine their relevance or otherwise to the culture and
environment of the people. It was agreed that no education could be
considered relevant to the development of a people unless it is firmly rooted
in their cultural milieu.

In the Nigerian context, this observation is significant when it is noted that,

at least, the first three years (in the case of pre-nursery school children) or,
more commonly, the first six years of an individuals education is culturebased in the home. It is at this stage that a childs education emphasizes the
learning of language, basic instructions on inter-personal relations, personal
hygiene and the foundation for subsequently appreciating the cultural
significance of various moves and values. All these take place within the
informal environment of the home and is facilitated by all and sundry: the
parents, the older siblings, relations and the community at large. It was
however, noted that, even at this stage, some disturbing influences are
introduced especially in elite households; many over-emphasize the colonial
culture and language in the home-training of their children thereby
destroying the childrens confidence in our culture and tradition.
The problem becomes serious as the child advances into the stage of his
formal education. Here, it was recognized that owing to our historical
circumstances, there is, for now, no viable alternative to English as our
national language of instruction. However, there is much that can be done to
capture our cultural values and attitudes and use them to inculcate in our
children such developmental attributes as self-discipline, self-reliance,
respect for others and the democratic spirit, even when using a foreign
language as the medium of instruction.
For Nigerian education to become more relevant to our development
process, it must seek to meet the following objectives:
a. It must train the individual for a better appreciation of his own cultural
traditions whilst at the same time equipping him with the ability to
absorb new ideas, new information and new data for resolving the
constantly changing problems of his environment;
b. It must train the individual to relate to and interact meaningfully with
other individuals in the society and to appreciate the importance of
effective organization for human progress;
c. It must develop the creative ability of individuals especially in the
cultural and technological realms;
d. It must foster in the individual those values which make for good
citizenship, such as honesty, selflessness, tolerance, dedication, hardwork and personal integrity, all of which provide the rich soil from
which good leadership is spawned;

e. It must promote the culture of productivity by enabling every

individual to discover the creative genius in him and apply it to the
improvement of the existing skill and technique of performing
specific tasks; thereby increasing the efficiency of his personal and
societal efforts.
It was agreed that the philosophy of Nigerian education, as enunciated in the
National Policy on Education document (1981), (copies of which were
presented to participants), meets much of the criteria stated above.
Nonetheless, it was noted that not enough emphasis was given to the
importance of developing the creative ability of individuals while going
through all the levels of the educational system a factor of vital relevance
to national development. In this regard, it was recommended that cultural
attitudes that do not encourage the development of a critical and questioning
faculty in the child should be consciously transformed. Our educational
system, through its curricula and content, should deliberately encourage the
youths to question the efficacy of received knowledge, to investigate the
efficiency of equipment and operational procedures and devise alternative
processes and models that can perform at higher levels of efficiency. Such
emphasis in our educational system will certainly enhance the appreciation
of the importance of productivity for national development. It will also
create, in students, a greater sense of awareness of the importance of time as
a critical factor in modern production processes. It was pointed out that one
major element in the transition from the traditional subsistent economy to
the modern industrial economy is the new value placed on time. Punctuality,
the old adage says, is the soul of business and time is money. Time, indeed,
has become the measure of productivity and of efficiency in the modern
society.
It was emphasized that concern with productivity and efficiency should not
make the educational process lose sight of inculcating in the individual the
equally important attribute of cultivating excellence in any field of
endeavour in which he is engaged. Here, it was noted that the problem of
striving for excellence transcends the scope of educational concern to
embrace the societys system of rewards for excellence and sanctions against
poor performance. In this connection, it was observed that the tradition of
pleading, whereby important personalities interfere in the process of
sanctions and seek mitigation to excuse failure, should be actively
discouraged. The educational process should try and emphasize the
debilitating effect of this tradition on the attempt to inculcate the values that

make for excellence. It should further inculcate in our youth the confidence
that success depends on excellence rather than on long legs, on the
important personalities that an individual knows or on the circumstances of a
persons birth. This would not only obviate the temptation to surrender to
failure but it would also emphasize the ethics of industry, fair play and
justice. In addition, uniform standards must be established and applied to
similar situations to ensure equity and justice:
Participants agreed that language is the projector and transmitter of culture
and that nowhere is this better illustrated than in our folklore, proverbs and
literature. Our educational system must therefore encourage the use of our
mother tongues in the home as well as in the early school years, as a medium
of speech and instruction. Furthermore, greater and deliberate efforts must
now be directed at publishing in book form or in any other permanent
medium such vehicles of our culture as folklore, mythologies, songs,
parables, proverbs and plays so that such might become common-place
resources in our educational system. Our Ministries of Education should
monitor and pay particular attention to deficiencies in the implementation of
the new national education policy.
The quality of Education
The Dialogue began by asking the question: in what sense can the quality of
education in Nigeria be said to be declining? A simple and direct answer to
this question, it was agreed, would lead to a gross over-simplification of an
otherwise complex issue.
It was noted, for instance, that the best product of todays educational
system is far better trained and informed than the best product of earlier
generations, while the worst product of today is better than those of yesteryear. It was admitted that this was no doubt related to the fact that the range
of tools being used in the educational process today is wider and more
sophisticated than was available in years past. For the children of the elite in
some urban communities, such tools include books on various disciplines,
information processing equipment such as audio-visual instruments like
television and radio, as well as calculators and computers. It is, therefore,
not surprising that the best student of today has a wider perspective of his
subject-matter and a deeper awareness of the world around him than his
counterpart of yester-year.

However, when we assess the generality of the students at all the levels of
the educational system, we would agree that there has been a general decline
in the following areas:
a. Literacy and numerical skills;
b. Language skills; and
c. Logical reasoning
This trend was attributed to the following circumstances:
a.
b.
c.
d.

Poor level of educational funding

Decline in the availability of equipment and books due to rising costs.
Decline in teacher enthusiasm and commitment.
Propensity for quick wealth, which is already leading, in some states
such as Anambra State, to a decline in secondary school enrolment
especially among males who prefer trading to schooling.
e. Lack of continuity in educational methodology as evident in the
teaching of English grammar and modern mathematics.
f. Lack of effective government supervision or monitoring as a result of
the ineffectiveness of the Inspectorate system in most of the State
Ministries of Education
g. Poor implementation of the education policy especially with regard to
the new 6-3-3-4 programme.

In confronting these problems, it was felt that a faithful implementation of

the national policy on education would not only stem the rate of decline but
also enhance better quality of education. At all levels, and particularly at the
secondary school level, the excellent performance of students should not
only continue to attract awards, such awards should be very attractive. The
Dialogue noted that, in an age in which numeracy is becoming extremely
important in all fields of human endeavour, it is unfortunate that our
examination bodies no longer require a pass in mathematics as well as in
English language as a requirement for awarding certificates. The Dialogue
observed that this, in the past, such a requirement served as a powerful
motivator for students to struggle hard for a pass in mathematics. It,
therefore, recommended the review of the policy in order for students to
appreciate the indispensability of mathematical skills to the rapid
development of the nation.

Education and the current Economic Crisis

The current economic crisis has highlighted certain new trends with respect
to not only the developmental paths now open to Nigeria but also the nature
of the external environment in which this development must take place. Like
the rest of Africa, Nigeria must now accept that its development or lack of it
is a function of the quality of its leadership. Consequently, Nigerian leaders
need to be better trained and better informed on economic matters so that
they may be able to direct and manage the nations economy more adroitly,
and conduct its external relations more astutely. In addition, the nation must
be self-reliant particularly in such areas as food production. If this must be
the new economic scenario, what special demands does it make on the
educational system?
The Dialogue agreed that the experience of some of the new industrializing
countries such as Korea could be very instructive. In Korea, the government
confronted the challenge of re-orientating the nations educational system
for development by making cuts in the expenditure on the other sectors, so
as to meet the demands for free education in the first nine years of schooling.
It also ensured that educational programmes, especially at the tertiary level,
were linked to enhanced productivity by increased expenditure on research,
not into fundamental research but into the area of adaptive (developmental,
applied) research. Copying equipment already developed elsewhere and
learning to maintain them became a major strategy for a speedy acquisition
of technological capabilities and its diffusion to the society.
In Nigeria, the present economic crisis must also be related to the likely
international situation, which, starting from 1992, would witness the
maturing of the European Common Market Equalization Policy. Therefore,
our educational programmes must begin to emphasize the culture of higher
productivity and a stronger understanding of the international economic
situation to enable us break into new markets; an idea that we have failed to
cultivate up to now. Such an objectives requires that we begin to strengthen
our capacity for adaptive technological research and knowledge. From the
very tender age, children should be encouraged to be more inquisitive about
mechanical objects, while educational toy manufacturers should pay more
attention to such needs.

A general technology awareness programme should be launched such that

adults, including housewives, can come to know how to maintain simple
mechanical and electrical gadgets, and undertake simple repairs like
changing electrical fuses in domestic appliances and even cars. Students in
secondary schools and tertiary institutions should be encouraged to form
clubs for such purposes as learning motor mechanics, photography and other
technical hobbies. The clubs must concentrate on encouraging members to
dismantle and re-assemble machines such as bicycles, lawn-mowers, table
fans and so on until they become familiar with how these machines work.
Many abandoned vehicles at police stations and other places can be given to
schools for this purpose.
Universities and Polytechnics should liaise more closely with private
enterprises in the identification of the sources of and in the improvement of
the production processes and procedures. In this connection, the chief
executives of universities and polytechnics have a major role to play in
bringing industrial executives and research experts together for the exchange
of ideas. Industries must be encouraged to make use of the Universities for
solutions to production problems. In order to ensure adequate incentives for
research scientists and make them engage in adaptive research activities, it
was suggested that the present method used by university consultancy
services for sharing consultancy fees may need to be reviewed. It was noted
that the consultancy service of this type should have to be such as would
allow the researcher to keep a substantial proportion of the fees paid.
The government should mount a campaign for the patronage of made in
Nigeria goods, for, as noted by the Dialogue, Nigeria produces a lot of
goods, some of which are being labeled with foreign trade marks because of
the higher demand and preference for foreign goods by Nigerians. More
emphasis should be placed on manufacturers exhibiting their products at
trade fairs while more of such trade fairs should be held to promote Nigerian
products. Children in particular should be exposed, through their schools, to
such trade fairs in order that they may become increasingly aware that
excellent products are already being made in Nigeria.
The Distributive aspects of Educational Opportunities
In Nigeria, it is now commonplace to talk about educationally disadvantaged
states. Such disadvantaged status could also be extended to specific social
classes and to women in general. Geographical disadvantage was recognized

as falling into two categories, namely, that broadly between the northern and
southern states, and that between the urban and rural area. It was noted that
the issue of the regional disparity in the proportion of children of schoolgoing age who are in school has had a long history in the country. Although
one usually speaks of North and South, it must be noted that there are
exceptions within each region. In the South for example, Rivers, Cross River
and Lagos States show evidence of being disadvantaged whilst, in the North,
Kwara, Plateau and Benue states do not appear disadvantaged. At any rate,
the persistence of this regional dichotomy in educational attainment twentyeight years after the nations political independence must be seen as
reflecting either a certain lack of political will to bridge the gap, or as a
deliberate manipulation of the gap for purposes not in accord with the longterm interest of the country. Either way, it was the view of the participants
that it is now imperative for the government to put a time frame for the
removal of this dichotomy. It was noted that, if the present National Policy
on Education was faithfully pursued in all the States, the phenomenon of
educationally disadvantaged states should, by 1995, be a thing of the past.
Another aspect of the problem of educationally disadvantaged states also
highlighted is the issue of the transition rate from primary to secondary
schools. It was noted that although there is no nationally accepted transition
rate, a situation whereby this rate varied from 13 to 35 per cent in the
northern states as against 65 to 95 per cent in the southern states can hardly
be regarded as healthy.
Bendel State, for instance, has the highest transition rate of 95 per cent
compared with 13 per cent for Kano State. One significant paradox of the
situation is that, in spite of its low level of educational accomplishment,
commercial activities in Kano State are most buoyant. The Dialogue
examined the nature of the trade-off between formal education and early
participation in commercial life, noting the interesting experience in some
other parts of the country where individuals who had no education or had
dropped out of school were returning to school to complete their formal
education after making some money from their early adventure into trading.
To deal more decisively with the problem of disadvantaged states, the
Dialogue believed that there is the need for a more effective monitoring of
the impact of the massive injections of funds into building schools and
implementing other government polices aimed at correcting the imbalance in
education. It was also felt that positive measures should be undertaken in the

disadvantaged states to raise the rate of transition. This should include

measures to discourage parents from taking their children out of schools or
across the borders for early marriage. There should also be measures to
integrate Koranic schools into the mainstream of the formal educational
system in the country.
With regard to the disparity between urban and rural areas, it was felt that,
with improved availability of classrooms and better equipment, this could
more easily be resolved. It was, however, emphasized that the
implementation of government policy on education should, in the rural
areas, be deliberately and positively linked with that on rural development so
as to even out inequality and stem the tide of rural urban migration.
The problem of inequitable distribution of educational opportunities among
social classes was raised especially in relation to the issue of Unity Schools.
It was noted that the governments effort to establish educational institutions
as a means of fostering national unity could have the very undesirable effect
of promoting social inequity. Given the prevailing tendency for these
schools to be populated by the children of the elite who have had a headstart through the exposure to nursery and primary education, these schools,
with their superior standard and quality of equipment and staffing, can be
said to be exacerbating the already unequal situation of educational
opportunities among different social classes in the society. One way out of
this is to scrap all the so-called Unity Schools and strive instead to raise the
standard of all schools. The federal government could then foster national
unity by providing incentives for the states to enable them to increase the
number of the non-indigenous students enrolled in their schools.
Alternatively, since our past experience has shown that the Unity Schools
remain a symbol of excellence, a system of scholarships can be instituted to
enable the children of lower income classes to have access to these schools
also. At any rate, there is the need to discourage the present system, whereby
special schools are established for categories of public servants such as those
in the armed forces the Command Schools for example and run almost at
no costs to the parents. It was felt that if such privileged schools must
persist, all the parents must be made to pay economic fees.
Inequitable distribution of educational opportunities on the basis of sex is a
serious problem especially in those state where local traditions encourage
giving young girls of twelve to thirteen years away in marriage. It was
unanimously agreed that the government should strive vigorously to stamp

out this practice. As an interim measure, however, states where the

enrolment of female students is below the national average could adopt the
Borno State-type solution of establishing special schools for married women
who were prevented from completing their education because of early
marriages. Such schools always have adjoining nursery and primary schools
for the children of such women. A more positive and deliberate adult
education and literacy programme should also be launched throughout the
Federation with a particular emphasis on the enrolment of women. Equally
important, the government must initiate a deliberate programme of
increasing the enrolment of women in various tertiary institutions not by
lowering admission standards but by providing special remedial facilities to
help them correct the deficiencies that militate against their more impressive
enrolment.
Education for Development
Nothing is free in nature except life, which is always taken by the Giver. The
concept of free education is mistaken. Somebody, somewhere, will someday
pay for it. What should be free is access to education. It does not matter
whether it is the individual or the family who pays for it, or the payment is
by the community, the state or the nation provided that is understood that
some institution somewhere in the world will have to pay for it. The
Dialogue believed that not only must there be free access to education
throughout the primary level, education at this level must be made
compulsory and this should happen within the next five years at which time
access to the junior secondary level of education must be made free. Finally,
by the year 2000, access to the senior secondary level of education should be
made free while access to the junior secondary level should become
compulsory. Every Nigerian should then compulsorily spend nine years in
formal education to enhance his ability to use his head and his hands.
The Funding of Education
On the question of funding education, the Dialogue agreed that it is unwise
to dissociate this from the direct responsibility of the community benefiting
from it. The more removed the process of funding education is from the
Community whose children benefit from it, the less effective the process.
Consequently, it was strongly recommended that the government should,
from now on, ensure that every community/ward/neighbourhood is
responsible for a part of the funding of both the primary and the secondary

education of its children. Means must be devised whereby the community

can relate the provision of services such as education to the level of taxes
that it pays. This is a primary responsibility of the local government
councils, which it should be encouraged to perform more effectively and
efficiently. It was noted that communities are more likely to be enthusiastic
about paying taxes when they can directly see the result of the expenditure is
arrived at.
It was also suggested that communities could be encouraged to make
voluntary contributions to the funding of education in their areas. Such
contributions are of special importance in the endowments of universities,
and can be made by communities and by individuals. The government must
create inducement for such educational endowments through tax exemption.
Where the latter takes the form of a request, the government may consider
waiving the requisite duties. In all cases, participants felt that the universities
need to exert themselves more vigorously in tapping the huge reservoir of
private contributions and endowments available.
The issue of funding the accommodation of university students also received
some attention. It was noted that the amount spent on students
accommodation is more than three times the boarding fees collected from
the students in those universities that offer accommodation facilities. Yet, in
the present economic circumstances of the country, the quality of
accommodation provided remains far from satisfactory. It was not very clear
what to suggest. Making university education totally free is impractical;
giving some students scholarship whilst others are saddled with loans seems
inequitable. A general system of students loan would appear the most
realistic option in the circumstance. The process of recovery can then be
organized in the manner of the National Youth Service Corps, where no
student can be employed unless he shows a certificate of successful
participation in the scheme. By the same token, no student can be assumed
to be free of such a loan liability unless he can show a certificate from his
university that he is not in somebodys debt. Otherwise, all employers would
be expected to deduct an agreed sum from the students salary until he can
produce a certificate of non-indebtedness.
Whilst the cost of students accommodation remains a major burden on the
finances of most universities, it was observed that a substantial proportion of
a universitys budget goes to the maintenance of the varied municipal
services with which it is saddled. Some of these services it can do away with

only if the general standard of municipal service delivery improves in the

country. Alternatively, it can reduce the burden through an astute negotiation
with the municipal authorities. In other cases, it must make a deliberate plan
of disengagement. At any rate, what is clear is that the days of easy funding
of university education are over and university administrators must now
show a greater ability to manage their operations with very limited
resources.
The Management and Administration of the
Nations Educational Enterprise
Education in Nigeria has grown to become one of the most important
enterprises the government is engaged in. The statistics show a most
impressive achievement, since independence, in terms of student enrolment,
the number of teachers employed, and the number of schools, colleges and
universities opened. Yet, no one can contradict the fact that this huge
enterprise shows glaring signs of poor management. It was agreed that the
problems of management of the nations educational enterprise stem from
incoherent administration, lack of continuity in policy, and the absence of
active community participation.
Incoherence in the administration of our educational system has occurred for
many reasons. First, there is the undue haste in changing administrative
arrangements before there is sufficient experimentation, testing and planning
to ensure that the new arrangement will be better than the older one. Second,
there is the contract syndrome in which most administrators think only of
what can be contracted out than about what is good for their institutions. The
result is the greater emphasis being placed on building and hardware at the
expense of strengthening the efficiency of teachers. Indeed, it has been
suggested that, in some states, a substantial proportion of the allocation to
education ends up in the pockets of contractors.
On this score, the Dialogue was concerned about the new programme of
computer education being proposed by the Federal Ministry of Education. It
was felt that several vital aspects of the new 6-3-3-4 system still require a
better capital input before the introduction of computer education into
primary and secondary schools. There was a concern about whether or not
sufficient study has been done on the capacity of the present schools to carry
the financial burden of computer installation. Is it being planned, for
instance, to provide each of these schools with at least base-load generators,

given the vagaries of power supply by the National Electric Power

Authority? How are these computers to be maintained and serviced at
reasonable costs to the schools concerned given the absence of the computer
manufacturing (as distinct from assembling) industry in Nigeria?
The lack of continuity in educational policy is perhaps best illustrated by the
fact that, in spite of the existence of a national policy on education prior to
the Second Republic, the impact of the policy has remained largely unfelt
due to its divergent and uncoordinated implementation. It was recognized
that part of the reason for this has to do with the federal structure of our
government, although it was felt that, with some political maturity and
consultation, much could have been achieved in the past. At any rate, it was
suggested that new policies must always be allowed to mature over a
sufficiently long period before fundamental changes are made to them.
Moreover, policy formulation should always pay attention to the
implementation strategy as well as performance monitoring and evaluation.
On the management of educational institutions, especially at the primary and
secondary level, it was felt that there was a need for greater community
participation. This is to ensure not only a higher degree of accountability on
the part of the administrators but also to derive all the advantages of a strong
sense of proprietorship led by the community. This would mean, for
instance, that school buildings and facilities would not be allowed to fall into
a state of near total disrepair before there is local response to rectifying the
situation.
The situation with universities was also considered. It was felt that the
government should pay more attention to the calibre of the people they
appoint into University Councils. Having appointed the right type of highly
respected and capable public men to run the affairs of these institutions, the
government should allow them to do their jobs without interference even in
the matter of the appointment of Vice Chancellors. It was felt that there
should be sound and enduring criteria for choosing a Vice-Chancellor and
that these criteria must now emphasize management competence even more
than academic ability.
Some concern was also expressed at the rate at which some of the best
members of the academic staff are withdrawn from universities and
polytechnics for political and administrative appointments. Whilst no easy
answer could be found to this call to national service, the management of

these institutions should be more circumspect about the situation, and should
raise an alarm, to the appropriate authorities, if the level of request is
approaching the crisis limit. It was also suggested that the current brain drain
of professionals and academics from the country on account of the present
economic situation should be redressed. At the same time, it was noted that,
within universities themselves, an inordinate amount of precious academic
time is spent on attending committee meetings. It was strongly
recommended that university councils and senates should begin examining
the management structure of their institutions with a view to devising a more
effective decision-making arrangement that is less costly in terms of manhours.

11
Health for Development
Health, it must be understood, transcends the mere absence of disease and
infirmities in an individual. It includes adequate psychological and psychic
balance, a decent housing and unbridled access to a daily intake of nutritive
and balanced diet. Consequently, the perception, promotion, protection and
delivery of health care services must be de-mystified and diversified and
made all-embracing if the total spectrum of human well-being is to be
captured. In consequence, it is necessary to examine some fundamental
societal problems that currently inhibit progress in all sectors of the society
including health. These problems, which include indiscipline, corruption,
excessive materialism and a rapid decline in the pursuit of excellence, are
like a sore thumb that requires drastic surgical attention.
Nigeria has taken great strides forward in tackling problems of basic
manpower training in the health sector and it continues to deploy
considerable human and material resources even to the area of primary
health care, which incorporates both preventive and curative medicine down
to the village level. Notwithstanding this, it was recognized that there are
still a number of unresolved issues and major constraints in the way of
achieving health for development.

A Working definition of Health

Participants at the Dialogue accepted the view that it is neither sufficient nor
adequate for the definition of health to be reduced mainly to physical wellbeing. Participants were of the view that a healthy individual must be
physically fit, and must enjoy spiritual, psychic and psychological balance as
well as access to a balanced nutritive diet and a good environment. It was
observed that the World Health organizations definition of health as being a
state of complete physical, mental and social well-being is subsumed within
the above abroad definition.

An Historical Overview of Health Practices in Nigeria

The Dialogue noted that, prior to the advent of Western medical practice,
traditional medicare was the only form of health service available. Its pivot
was on herbs and related forms of medicaments. Although its emphasis was
on the curative, it also combined both physical and spiritual treatment. It was
adjudged effective, and this partly accounted for its survival and its
persistence to the present time. Additionally, it was and still is inexpensive
and readily available, although, in most cases, its treatment of ailments was
no more than a skillful dispensation of placebos.
Participants observed that although western medicine has a relatively shorter
history in Nigeria, it has nonetheless been progressively successful. It was
noted that it came with the colonization of Nigeria by the British. The
colonialists were not particularly interested in the health of the natives but
were more concerned about their own health because of the debilitating
effects of diseases such as malaria, diarrhoea and dysentery.
Participants gave credit to the colonialists for the establishment of
dispensaries for immunization and other basic health services all over the
country. It was observed that ,during the colonial era, these dispensaries
were regularly inspected, monitored and made functional. Credit was also
given to the British for the introduction of preventive medicare with
emphasis on both personal hygiene and environmental sanitation, especially
through the use of sanitary inspectors and health inspection exercises carried
out in schools. Additionally, hygiene was taught as a very important part of
basic school curricula.
However, with respect to high-level manpower training, it was observed that
there was no modern-type medical school during the colonial period. The
Yaba Higher College, which was established at the time, admitted only the
very cream of Nigerian secondary school graduates into medical courses.
Notwithstanding, the students could not train to become doctors. After
graduation, none of the products of the Yaba Higher College were placed
higher than Assistant Medical Officers even though the level of proficiency
showed by most of them indicated their greater potential and promise.
Indeed, it was noticed that some Nigerian male nurses with long surgical
theatre experience became so adept and dexterous with surgical procedures
that young British doctors who were sent out had to learn from them
initially. Nonetheless, over time, Nigeria benefited immensely from the

skills of specialists brought in by the British to look after their colonial

officers. Equally, credit must be given to distinguished Nigerian medical
pioneers such as the late Samuel Manuwa, Professor Oritsejolomi Thomas
and Dr. (chief) M.A. Majekodunmi, for their inspiring efforts in laying the
foundation of the present Nigerian medical practice and training.
Since independence, successive National Development Plans have identified
clearly the basic elements of health for development in Nigeria. It was
agreed that there was little problem at the level of conceptual articulation.
Problems arose mainly at the level of implementation of planned
programmes. Participants, for instance, noted that, in spite of affirmative
statements in each of the Development Plan document, there was a rather
alarming negligence of preventive health care service right up to the 1970s.
The situation is however, gradually being changed as more attention is now
being paid to preventive health care. No doubt, health care services have
their own glamorous and their drab areas. Over the years, most health
personnel seem to have opted for glamorous areas, notably curative
medicine, while leaving the vital but supposedly drab areas such as
community medicine to the very few interested people. Clearly, there is now
an urgent need to re-think our national priorities and to design an appropriate
manpower training strategy to ensure that our developmental aspirations can
be sustained by the health status of the generality of our citizens.
A Review of the Current Health Policy and Practice in Nigeria
A brief review of the history and evolution of health practice and health care
services from the colonial days to the present was offered by one of the
participants using a number of slides. This helped to highlight the common
and recurrent problems of both preventive and curative health care services
in Nigeria. It also provided a backdrop against which to view the new
National Health Policy, which was said to be based on the directive
principles of social justice and equity with the end goal of actualizing the
WHO slogan of health for all by the year 2000.
Participants undertook a brief discussion of the National Health Policy. It
was felt that, although the conception and the articulation of the policy were
excellent, there was the need to pay a greater attention to the strategy of
implementation. Questions were raised on why the policy is not being
executed in its entirety. Participants felt it was time that, on matters of health
care delivery, the nation must have all hands on deck from the individual

through the family cell to the larger community. The problem of poor
dissemination and appreciation of what the policy entails for each of these
levels of society was seen as a major impediment to its satisfactory
execution. In order to mobilize all citizens to a full appreciation of their
responsibility to their own health and that of the community at large, there
was the need to adequately inform them on this through the translation of the
National Health Policy document to all the major Nigerian languages and
through the effective dissemination of these using the media and other
traditional means of information dissemination.
Another question that was raised with respect to implementation was the
apparent relegation to the background of tertiary health care in the present
scheme of things. The Dialogue noted that, although it was necessary to give
due emphasis to primary and secondary health care services, the overall
effectiveness of the health sector depends on keeping an holistic view of
things and ensuring that each level of service is accorded its own pride of
place.
Specifically, with respect to the formulation of a national health strategy, the
federal government must realize the importance of inter-sectoral coordination since the health of the Nigerian populace is determined by the
activities of other ministries besides the Ministry of Health. The work of
such ministries as those of agriculture, education, works and housing do
clearly have a telling effect on the health of citizens and need to be
deliberately taken into account through inter-ministerial efforts. Within the
health sector itself, attention must be paid to training the diversity of
manpower required to reflect the wide ramification of health care covering
such desperate areas as research and health technology. All of this training
effort must be cost-effective, and appropriate to the needs of the populace.
With respect to the problem of financing our national health care, it was felt
that the government should re-examine its sectoral allocations and funding
sources with a view to increasing the share of the health sector.
Participants also commented on the need for continuity in the
implementation of health policies in the country. It was felt that the practice
whereby policies change with every change of ministers was not in the best
interest of the health of the citizens of the country. The example was cited of
Britain, where there has been a consistent Basic National Policy for the last
forty years in spite of the frequent change in government personnel.

Most importantly, it was felt that the success of any health policy depended
on the level of discipline and commitment among all members of the health
team. The government needs to pay attention to the need to engender these
attributes in all concerned whether in the public or the private sector.
Indicators of Inadequate Health and Unresolved Problems
of Health Care
The WHO policy on health worldwide provided the basis for discussion on
these issues. It was agreed that this policy should be taken along side the
National Health Policy. As a result, the following major indicators of
inadequate health care service were identified:
a.
b.

c.

d.

e.

f.
g.

Ignorance, by the majority, of the existence of any national policy

and of their expected roles in the execution of that policy.
Poor national coverage of major health programmes such as the
Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI). This problem is
often compounded by attempts to doctor the information and
statistics presented to international agencies so as to give a more
commendable impression of national performance.
The large number of uncompleted and outmoded physical
structures strewn all over the country, many of which were
designed to extend the scope and reach of health, care delivery.
The deteriorating health status of an increasing majority of the
population due to the impact of the downturn in the nations
economic fortune, the latter being considered the crux and the
main engine of effective health policy.
Failure to use other peoples successes (Cuba, Thailand, Taiwan,
etc.) as indicators to measure the distance we have covered and to
correct the pitfalls we have made.
Indiscipline, which has pervaded the national psyche.
Discontinuity in the execution of government programmes. Here
again, the example of the stability of the British System was
stressed whereby a policy inaugurated by the Labour Party was
guaranteed continuity of execution by successive governments.
Those who make policies and execute them in Nigeria do not need
to re-invent the wheel, as it were, each time we have a new
government in place. Once this is understood, instability will be
removed as a major constraint in the system.

h.

Lack of sufficiently dedicated and motivated people to execute the

policy. Pressure groups outside the government need to learn how
to exert beneficial pressure on governments to execute sound
national policies. It was agreed that non-governmental
organizations (NGOs) (both professional and non-professional
need to play their role more effectively to ensure that good policies
are not frequently derailed. Professional health workers at the
highest levels (such as Chief Medical Directors of Teaching
Hospitals in the country) can also exert influence on government to
continue to execute policies that have been adjudged sound and
generally implementable.

Resources and their Management

The Dialogue noted the current involvement of the World Bank in a number
of health care projects, with the collaboration of state and local,
communities. It was, however, observed that the manner in which the loans
were distributed and utilized leaves much to be desired. Since it would
appear that, for now, the country cannot escape external borrowing, the
implications of such high costs for the end-user at the grassroots need to be
constantly kept in view. For this reason, participants suggested that we
should desist from borrowing to procure drugs. The technologies acquired
with foreign loans should be such that can be adapted to our real needs and
that can be maintained easily. Furthermore, it was argued that, since the
strings attached to some of these loans cannot be eliminated all together;
they need to be examined very carefully to determine the usefulness of the
loans to us, and not just to the creditors. It was generally agreed that all loans
on health care, and indeed loans obtained for other developmental purposes,
should be used strictly on productive activities like the manufacturing of
basic drugs usually bought from abroad.
Productive activities include projects in such areas as water supply,
agriculture and education, which have a direct bearing on the peoples
health. The bottom-line on external funding for health care purposes must be
that, if anybody is really keen on helping us, then they must assist us to
produce on-shore the basic things that are needed in this regard. In the
opinion of the Dialogue, one way of financing essential drug purchases by
the government hospitals was to engage in fund recycling. That is, payments
made by patients for drug supplies in the hospitals should not be returned to
the treasury but should be used continuously to procure essential drugs such

as analgesics and anti-malaria tablets, which are usually in heavy demand.

The practice and success of this strategy at the University of Calabar
Teaching Hospital was noted and commended as an act worthy of emulation
by other centers.
Discussions also revolved around the question of the all-pervading presence
of corruption and general indiscipline in the system. It was noted that
Nigeria is an over-governed society and the myriad of officials simply helps
to fuel the propensity to be corrupt. It was, for instance, estimated that for
every Naira budgeted on health care, only twenty-five kobo is actually spent
on the sector. The rest is often swallowed up gluttonously by corruption. If
this trend is to stop, the country must find an adequate means of introducing
effective sanctions, which should be rigorously and faithfully implemented.
One major identifiable cause and prime mover of corrupt practices is the
over-centralization of funds for health-care services. Participants argued that
funds for healthcare services, when centralized at either the state or federal
government levels, unduly magnified the money involved and made it
attractive to unscrupulous minds who tended to embezzle the money. To
avoid this unsavory situation, it was recommended that health funding
should be thoroughly decentralized and the funds allocated to local
government, the specialist and teaching hospitals should be paid directly to
them. The judicious and prudent utilization of such funds can be ensured
through effective monitoring by either the state or the federal government.
There was also the need to examine and learn from the experience of
countries that have dealt successfully with the problems of corruption and
indiscipline in the delivery of healthcare services.
On traditional medicine, it was noted that the WHO has passed a resolution
to the effect that each member country can develop its own traditional
medicine, the high percentage of placebo effect of its ministration in Africa
notwithstanding. Although the placebo syndrome is generally responsible for
much of the so-called cures in certain trado-medical practices, the fact that
many Africans continue to believe in the effectiveness of traditional
medicine while many others regress to these cultural practices when faced
with serious health crises cannot be easily ignored. In consequence, the
Dialogue agreed that, if a man believes in certain rituals and thinks these
rituals can aid the healing process, he should be allowed to practise them.
The thing to do is not to despise traditional medicine; rather the nation

should strive to de-mystify it and treat practitioners of this type of medicine

with greater regard and dignity.
However, in spite of this accommodative approach to traditional medicine,
participants were of the opinion that traditional medical practices still need
to establish rigorous diagnostic standards and ways of verifying,
unequivocally, claims to effectiveness of particular procedures and
medicaments. It should, for instance, be possible to replicate such
procedures and medicaments and achieve the results claimed for them.
Incantations, which are often no more than placebos, would simply not
advance the cause of traditional medicare.
Responsibilities for Health Care and Health Education
The Dialogue observed that the responsibilities for the health of the
individual must be shared by the family, the community, the local
governments, state governments and the federal government in that order.
The Dialogue was however emphatic that the responsibility must start at the
individual level. The individual must be made to realize, through effective
health education, that he needs to eschew unhealthy behaviours such as
living, working or playing in unhygienic surroundings, drinking impure
water and eating without due regard to the wholesomeness and nutritional
quality or quantity of the food material.
Families and communities must also be made to realize their own role in this
struggle. Each family and community must be made to embrace, as a creed,
the need to maintain certain hygienic standards through a sustained and
graphic health education programme reinforced by other modalities such as
general monitoring by health visitors and sanitary inspectors.
The Dialogue observed that one effective means of effectuating meaningful
health education if the desired impact is to be achieved is to make such
education community-based. Moreover, the best way of getting information
down the line is through the primary school system. The headmaster of the
primary school in every community must be involved in health planning at
the community level. His role is deemed crucial because he is both an
opinion moulder and an opinion leader in his community. His active
involvement in the programme of community health education would enable
him to place the necessary emphasis on hygiene in his school curricula. If
the message is effectively communicated to the pupils, they can be relied

upon to pass on the need for appropriate hygienic behaviours to their

parents.
The Dialogue observed that the approach to community health should be
broadened beyond the present attention to primary health centres. It should
be possible in future to give special emphasis in the scheme to specific
groups, like mothers, infants, and others vulnerable to certain infectious
disease. Participants reasoned that the idea must be to also use these centres
for the dissemination of information on health. Although performing tasks
that may be similar to those of health visitors, participants emphasized that it
must be seen as a way of mounting a total attack on ignorance about health
matters. The Dialogue suggested the increasing use of the media, especially
the electronic media, for this purpose. Such health education programmes
should be done in local languages and non-governmental organizations
should be involved in the exercise. Participants recalled the effects and
activities of sanitary inspectors in the not-too-distant past and recommended
its re-introduction. In the opinion of the Dialogue, such a frontal and coordinated attack on ignorance and disease through health education would
contribute immensely towards an effective primary health care delivery
service. The inter-disciplinary approach should also be used to considerably
reduce the level of ignorance on a number of issues such as the
consequences of early marriage to both material and child health.
The Dialogue decried the current practice and situation whereby the general
orientation of the health service personnel conveniently coincides with the
glamour areas of health practice. This orientation needs to be changed. The
most effective means of achieving this is through a more vigorous training
programme for health personnel. The current practice in Ogun State
University Teaching Hospital, which tries to situate all medical training
within the context of community health was applauded and recommended as
worthy of emulation. It was stressed that a greater emphasis needs to be
placed on making health personnel more socially relevant by focusing more
on the developmental aspects of health training. Changes in the curriculum
of health education must ensure the full integration of primary health care in
the overall health care delivery system in the country.
The Dialogue observed that the increasing output of highly trained
manpower from our Universities has made it progressively and relatively
easy for governments to meet their share of responsibilities for health care
delivery. The position, however, varies enormously from one state to the

other, with some states suffering from a lack of adequate manpower. Such
states, which do not have a sizable stock of well- trained personnel, should
do everything possible to encourage many of their young school leavers to
undergo medical training whilst devising various schemes in the short-term
to attract trained medical personnel from other parts of the country.
The Dialogue viewed with considerable alarm the present situation whereby
the country is losing an increasingly large number of its senior medical
personnel to more remunerative employments in other countries. The
Dialogue believes that, with some imaginative schemes of compensation, it
should be possible to attract back many of these individuals in spite of the
present strained economic circumstance of the country.
Strategies for Effective Health Care Delivery
Strategies for an effective health care delivery system in the country, it was
agreed, entail the development of an inter-connected, inter-related concentric
approach that emphasizes inter-ministerial relations. Consequently, many
policies and issues have to be considered. Given the limitation of time
during this session of the Dialogue, it was agreed that deliberation should be
limited to only four of these, namely, drug provision, health insurance, rapid
population growth and the issue of equity and social justice.
Drug Provision
No effective health care delivery system, it was reiterated, can be developed
on the basis of imported drugs. The Dialogue, therefore, re-emphasized that
foreign loans for drugs should be such as would enhance our capacity to
manufacture the essential drugs needed by the country. The experience of
Cuba, which devised a well-articulated and carefully executed policy of drug
manufacturing was cited and recommended for emulation. Nigeria has to
rationalize its list of essential drugs such that industries can be set up locally
in line with such a list. Local production must be stimulated and legislation
enforced to forestall adulteration. A rationalized system of drug distribution
comprising zonal stores and deports must also be put in place. Since
transportation usually adds to overheads and pushed up the cost of drugs, it
was agreed that, henceforth, state and federal government agencies ordering
drugs must make suppliers deliver to designated agencies and stores.
Thereafter, the agencies concerned should be responsible for delivery of
vital drugs down the consumption line. It was also agreed that the health of

animals and plants on which human beings depend so much for survival
needs to be improved in order to enhance the quality of our own health.
In the meantime, the Dialogue emphasized the need for the nation to
encourage our universities and Research Institutes to begin to put together
our inherited pharmacopoeia of healing herbs and plants and to engage in
serious research to test their healing effectiveness. As a starting point, it may
be necessary to set up a parastatal to convert these into drugs and
medicaments. But the ultimate goal must be to stimulate the emergence of a
vigorous pharmaceutical industry producing drugs and other medical
accessories not only for internal consumption but also for export to all parts
of the world.
The Dialogue was briefed on the federal governments Health Insurance
Policy, which has undergone various changes in the planning process and is
billed to take off in 1992. Although, at the initial stage, the policy is
expected to involve six million people, the dialogue was of the opinion that
this would exclude a large number of highly deserving individuals if due
care was not taken. There was considerable skepticism about the
implementation of the scheme and participants felt that there were still many
unresolved issues in the policy to which serious attention needs to be given
especially those that could end up deepening social cleavages in the nation.
In contrast to the main thrust of the Health Insurance Policy, the Dialogue
recommended that the existing teaching hospitals especially those in Ibadan,
Zaria, Nsukka and Maiduguri should be adequately equipped and manned to
make them true centres of excellence. They should have some of the recently
developed and sophisticated medical equipment in the world so that they can
provide all and sundry with the very specialized medical services the
absence of which has led many relatively rich Nigerians to continue to travel
out of the country for medical attention, at great costs to our foreign
exchange reserve. It was suggested that if, for any reason, this was not
possible, the country could at least develop one centre that can provide
advanced medical services and give health ministrations of the type, quality
and standard that Nigerian dignitaries and top government officials obtain
abroad.

Population
The Dialogue identified population and population growth as important
factors in all health planning strategies. The Nigerian population, it was
observed, is growing much too fast. The World Bank has projected that the
population of the country will be over 500 million by the year 2035, which is
less than fifty years away. Participants were unanimous in their call for a
constructive and all embracing strategy for controlling the rate of growth of
the Nigerian population. Certain factors such as early marriages were
identified as major contributory causes to such a high rate. Perhaps, the
worst offender is child marriage. This practice was condemned in its totality
and it was reasoned that, apart from its impact on rapid population growth, it
had added health implications such as the rampant cases of Vesico Vagina
Fistula (VVF) and Recto Vagina Fistula (RVF).
The consensus of opinion was that the nation should strenuously combat the
trend through a frontal attack, which would involve extensive and intensive
public education on the advantages of family planning as a means of
sensitizing the generality of Nigerians to the dangers and implications of
possible population explosion in the country. Such broad-based educational
strategy should be the responsibility and concern of all those who are aware
of the imminent dangers of uninhibited population growth to the nations
well-being. It should involve not only the mass media but also all voluntary
organizations, and of our schools, colleges and universities. Dis-incentives
such as severe and enforceable penalties were suggested to be enacted
against those involved in child marriages.
It was felt that the time was ripe for government to make a determined effort
at registering all births and deaths in all communities in Nigeria. Henceforth,
every community should be compelled to register all births and all deaths as
stipulated by legislation. No payment for these services should be taken by
any government or private agency. The shinning example of Katsina State,
which was adjudged the best in Nigeria, in the registration of births and
deaths was cited as an indication of what can be done once the will was
there.

Equity and Social Justice

The Dialogue observed that there was much inequity and social injustice in
the delivery of health care services in the country. This is manifested in a
variety of ways. The most notable is the unequal distribution of personnel
and facilities between the rural and urban areas. There is also the dichotomy
in the quality of health-care available to those with the financial wherewithal
and those who do not have the financial muscle to extract health services for
their physical well being.
The Dialogue therefore recommended that the government should begin to
strive to correct this situation. As a first step, it should ensure, as a matter of
priority, that all children below the age of twelve are admitted and treated
free of charge in all its medical centres in the country. Secondly, a vigorous
programme should be launched to correct the improper distribution of health
facilities and personnel as between urban and rural areas. A concerned and
sustained effort at developing the rural areas should be mounted such that
the face of urban/rural medical practice would assume a new dimension to
the greatest benefit of the majority of the people of this country.
To accelerate the achievement of this goal, the Dialogue recommended that
local government councils should be made the major instrument of
development in the rural areas. Rural development, it was reasoned,
constitute the greatest incentive for reversing the massive rural-urban
migration; a trend that has been so noticeable in the country in recent years.
A ten-year development plan for the provision of water and electricity in the
rural areas should be drawn up, while in the interim, various measures that
would help re-adjust the current skewed distribution of health personnel
should be considered. For the latter purpose, it was argued, monetary
incentives alone would not be enough. Non-monetary carrots like
accelerated promotions and the proper evaluation of the work of rural-based
personnel, in terms of achievements, are things that could encourage health
workers to move to and stay in the rural areas. Other non-monetary
incentives can include well-publicized awards such as Doctor of the Year,
Nurse of the Year, and Clinic of the Year conferred on health personnel
working in the rural areas. Recognition, it was felt, is an important factor in
all self-actualization efforts Above all, the rural health personnel should
have undisputed access to postgraduate scholarships after a period of about
three years continuous service in the rural areas. Finally, it was agreed that
vacancies in rural areas should be advertised and the personnel hired should
specifically be detailed to the rural areas as advertised. On the issue of social

justice, participants were dismayed at the new policy of re-introducing

payment of fees for all and sundry in the fourteen teaching hospitals in the
country. While taking cognizance of the fact that health financing continues
to be both public and private, the Dialogue noted that most of the people
who patronize teaching hospitals and other government hospitals are the
very poor. Although fees have been re-introduced, they account for less than
4% (four per cent) of all revenues accruing to the institutions charging such
fees. Yet their effect on certain categories of patients, especially the poorer
ones, had been very devastating and has created moral problems for all the
parties concerned. Patients have been known to disappear between the
consultation rooms and the admission wards because they cannot afford to
pay fees demanded. Even when these fees are paid, drugs can be the
equivalent of a years income for some patients. It is thus becoming
increasingly painful to observe the growing polarization of the Nigerian
population into those who can and those who cannot afford the cost of
medicare.
Conclusion
In conclusion, participants at the Dialogue observed that whatever level of
success is desirable and achievable can always be improved upon and in fact
surpassed if an inter-ministerial approach is adopted in all aspects of our
health care delivery. For effective follow-up of the recommendations of such
inter-ministerial consultations, much would depend on the level at which this
takes place. The Dialogue was emphatic that what was involved here
requires that such inter-ministerial discussions be carried out at the highest
level of government, specifically by the number two man in government.
Only this would ensure the effective implementation of the various decisions
taken to improve the health of Nigerians. As an appendage and because of
its significant impact on the other sectors of our social existence, the present
state of the economy deserves serious attention to minimize its deleterious
effects on the nations health. In the opinion of the participants, the only
effective interim measure is to shore up the value of the Naira so that the
purchasing power of most Nigerians is not totally wiped out. The permanent
panacea for the downward trend of the economy is the need for Nigerians to
change their attitude to work. It was observed that there were too many
holidays. It was suggested that government should seriously consider the reintroduction of Saturday as a working day if only as a means of further
changing the working culture of the nation and increasing individual
productivity. For, as the Dialogue concluded, only a healthy national
economy can sustain the health needs of the citizens.

Opening Remarks
by

Chairman, Africa Leadership Forum

It can neither be over-emphasized nor will it border on the repetitive, if one
emphatically says that the health sector is one of the crucibles of the
development process.
Health is wealth goes an old but nonetheless pithy adage. Individual
health, and the health of the aggregate constitute an integral part of the
national and social wealth of a nation that cannot be ignored.
However, my point of departure stems from my conviction that health
should not be defined or described as the absence of infirmities and disease
from an individual. For me, a healthy person must not only be free from
disease and infirmities, but must, in addition, enjoy adequate psychological
and psychic balance. Such a person must have as his habitat and or place of
abode a decent dwelling place. He must, in a similar vein, have unbridled
access to a daily intake of nutritive and balanced diet, social security and
incentives that guarantee well-being.
Expanding and exploring the total circumspection of health would open to us
several dimensions through which we can make the health and, by
implications, the wealth of the nation for development. It was with this at the
back of my mind that I invited people from different backgrounds, training,
expertise and vocation. Among us this weekend are psychologists, a
religious leader, a traditional leader, a nurse, medical doctors, and
consumers of the health care delivery system of which I happen to be one.
With such an assemblage, it is doubtless that we shall have a most
interesting dialogue.
If we agree that development is about releasing the creative energy of the
people for a positive interaction with the physical and social environment,
you will no doubt agree that the foremost pre-requisite is for the people to be
healthy. In other words, they must be of a sound body and mind before we
can talk about mobilizing them to utilize their creative energies and impact
on nature for development. Improved living conditions cannot otherwise be
effectively achieved or made a national and social reality. Such is the nature

of the dilemma and the circular nature of the link between health and
development.
A sector by sector analysis of the Nigerian social reality confirmed that the
health sector is in a particularly severe crisis. There is no gainsaying the fact
that adequate health care for the Nigerian citizenry is, for now, a mirage.
Where did we go wrong and how far wrong have we gone? Can we retrace
our steps and move with a concerted effort in the right direction?
These of course are loaded questions. Proffering answers to them, I believe,
would constitute the melting point and the bottom line of our national health
problems and of course our dialogue this weekend.
Our national health problems have been compounded by the availability of
locally accessible and inexpensive remedies and techniques that we have
continuously ignored. That, to my mind, was the first step we took wrongly.
At another level, I believe the curative potency of our traditional herbs has
not really been optimized. What we need do is discern the correct dosage of
each herb that needs to be administered for its potency to emerge.
Developing this would be a two-pronged attack; not only would the drugs be
easily available and affordable, it would also reduce the current trend of
over-dependence on western drugs. Such dependence carries with it
implications that are far reaching and somewhat damaging. There is an
adage which says that nobody can take care of your property like you would
do. In essence, the Western drugs cannot be as accurately efficient as the
herbs we have, if only we can design cheap and inexpensive ways of making
them available in a standardized format. I do not believe that medicare needs
to be expensive to be effective. Because of our faulty start off the block, we
have largely and patently ignored preventive medicine. We all know that it is
cheaper to prevent than to cure. Yet we usually allow a small wound to
fester into an unusually large open sore.
One aspect of preventive medicare that we seem not to be cognizant of is
the continuous degradation of our environment and the uncontrolled and
widespread usage of pesticides and the newer emergent phenomenon of
importing toxic waste.

There are, of course, other aspects of environmental degradation, such as

industrial pollution caused by discharging industrial waste into dwelling
areas. It is imperative and crucial that we move in a joint and concerted
manner to evolve enduring modalities of enthroning preventive medicare as
against the emphasis on curative medicine.
Thank you.

Opening Address
by

Professor Chukwu Nwokolo,

Chairman of the Dialogue
General Obasanjo, distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen. Our dialogue is on
the theme: Health for Development under the auspices of the Africa
Leadership Forum. One must congratulate the General for his originality and
creatively in devising his Farm House Dialogue. It will be for history to
appraise its rightful place in the painful growth process of the Nigerian
nation, but I already suspect that, if the recommendations of the dialogues
continue to command respect, they will be given a place of honour, side by
side with other original creations of the General, such as the Nigerian
National Merit Award Endowment Fund. Ladies and gentlemen, this
exercise will have to be a brain storming session for the generation of new
ideas in the health sector with the purpose of ultimately promoting positive
health among all our people in a joint effort between the governments of the
Federation, and our people. I can already hear critics commenting that there
is no shortage of ideas in the Nigerian health programme and that what we
need are more funds for implementation of recommendations already on the
ground. I am afraid that I do not entirely agree with this. Every human
activity can be improved by continuous re-examination and new ideas do
arise from such careful examinations. And we have to accept that better
understanding of ones problems through dialogues with colleagues often
facilitates problem solving.
In considering the global subject of health, we need to create an inventory of
current problems in 1989. And if possible we should put them in an order of
priority in the spirit of the Structural Adjustment Programme. SAP has
engendered certain behavioral norms. We specifically require those aspects
that emphasize self-reliance and wise husbandry of available resources in the
health sector to stem the deterioration in standards that the shortage of funds,
and our increasing population are creating.

I also hope that this team will find it possible to firmly indicate what
minimum percentage of the GDP the nation will require in order to finance
its health needs. This figure should reflect the level of priority enjoyed by
health matters in the affairs of the nation.
In examining the problems in the traditional divisions of the health sector,
we should hunt particularly for new ideas for the solution of current
problems. I also hope that we will be able to examine some fundamental
national problems that are currently inhibiting Nigerias progress in all
sectors including health. I am referring to the pervasive problems of
indiscipline, corruption, excessive materialism, and a precipitous decline in
the pursuit of excellence.

Preventive Medicine
Health problems are traditionally discussed under the heading of preventive
and curative. Until recently, lip service rather than solid achievement was
characteristic of the practice of Preventive Medicine in this country.
In 1959, on the eve of our independence, a distinguished British Physician,
the late Sir Graham Bell visited Nigerias health establishments at the
request of the Colonial Government. A quick look at the budget and the
economy convinced him that the most cost-effective way of handling our
health problems lay in the vigorous pursuit of preventive medicine
Immunization, environmental health programmes including countrywide
attention to water supplies, material and child-health, and data collection.
Bells advice was politely accepted but the emphasis on curative medicine
continued unabated, and an audit around 1985 still showed that only one
quarter of the health budgets of the nation went to the prevention of disease.
It is gratifying that with Professor Kutis new initiatives in primary health
care, which combines preventive medicine with curative medicine at the
village level, and with the support of international agencies like WHO and
UNICEF in immunization, a new horizon has dawned in the areas of
preventive medicine in Nigeria. However, to make appropriate impact, this
initiative must be continued indefinitely.
Members of the forum will need to comment on the present situation and
make proposals for improvement in the operations of the programmes.

Sixteen years ago, Prof. O. Akinkugbe as the Dean of Medicine of

University of Ibadan arranged a symposium to commemorate the 25th
Anniversary of the University of Ibadan. A Sinophile, Dr. J.S. Horn of
London Hospital Medicine College delivered a paper on how China
achieved phenomenal progress in the Medicine Sector.
According to Dr. Horn, the five main principles utilized by China were:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Emphasis on preventive medicine, which influences vital statistics

more radically and is more cost-effective than curative medicine;
Use of the masses for the execution of projects that had been
previously explained to them;
Orientation to the countryside;
Self reliance;
Cooperation within the medical profession and between the medical
authorities and the people.

At the same symposium, Nigerias former Chief Medical Adviser, the late
Dr. Adesuyi quoted the WHO as recommending that priority attention in
health matters should be given to the training of medical manpower followed
by control of communicable diseases, environmental health programmes and
the expansion of basic health services.
Today, 16 years later, it is possible to say that much has been achieved in
training of basic manpower in Nigeria, and that, for the first time, primary
medical care, which integrates preventive and curative medicine at the
village level is receiving appropriate attention, and seems to have climbed to
number one priority position on the WHO programmes recommendations.
At the Nigerian Medical Association Conference held in Enugu in 1973, a
suggestion was made that one way of defeating the drug-out-of-stock
syndrome in our hospital was for the items purchased with the drugs vote to
be sold to patients at their cost price and the proceeds re-cycled repeatedly to
keep the drug supply at a satisfactory level throughout the year instead of
returning all the money to the Accountant-General as stipulated in
Government Regulations. The idea was accepted in principle by the
commissioner for Health, East Central State at the time but his civil servants
advised against it saying that it would sabotage orderly compliance with the
rules of the civil service. It took another 15 years for the idea to be
resuscitated and put into practice. In the last two and a half years, this simple

procedure has radically changed the drug supply situation in places like the
University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, the Hospital of the University of
Nigeria. The Borno State Ministry of Health is the latest ministry to embrace
the drugs budget re-cycling practice. There is a need for the practice to be
adopted in every local Government throughout the country.
Now what are the unresolved problems of the health sector?
What are the major constraints standing between perfect health and us for
development?
The major unsolved health problem is of course the dismal health of our
national economy, which is responsible for the all round shortage of funds.
The problem of the national economy is too important to be left alone to the
Government or the economists alone. Everyone with fresh ideas on the
problem must make them available to the nation.
Other general malaises that pervade and which inhibit national progress, by
as much as 30 to 40%, include indiscipline, lack of accountability and
corruption. They should no longer be ignored.
A third malady is ignorance in the area of health education and poor
communication facilities. This is amenable to treatment through a vastly
improved communication network, linking the village health centre and so
the health pyramid with the primary school as well as the media, starting
with new specially prepared educative programmes on radio and television.
The fourth problem is malnutrition, which afflicts, in my experience, as
many as 40% of the children of school age in the rural areas of some parts of
the country. With the improvement in the food supplies and the growth of
school farms and a better supply of fertilizers, I suggest that we should aim
ultimately at one good school lunch for all our primary school children
throughout Nigeria.
The shortage of clean water is really a problem though it is being handled by
various other agencies. The ideal of one water point to 1000 citizens is still
unrealized in spite of the feverish activities of DFFRI. How to accelerate its
realization is one of the topics that should be addressed by this house. It is
one sure way of improving the health status of the citizenry throughout the
country. One of the most difficult problems of the nation has been how to

improve the staffing situation of the medical institutions of the rural

community, and how to boost the morale of honest civil servants in order to
obtain a good days work for a good days pay.
What is the solution to our workers not on seat syndrome? Other
problems relate to how to adequately reorganize medical research
throughout the nation and how the self-reliance formula can be brought into
our health sector. We really need to define the places of traditional medicine
in our national programmes and how to improve the investigative facilities
in our centres of excellence and teaching hospitals, so as to match the
situation in hospitals in Europe and U.S.A where the elite of the Nigerian
community regard as the right places for medical check-ups.
Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, this, as you see, is a crowded agenda,
but I feel certain that the outstanding talents of the nation here assembled
will provide our planners and the entire leadership forum more than enough
material for planning towards the realization of our goal good health for
the nation.

12
Food and Development
What is Food?
Food must not be seen merely in terms of what is edible. Its definition must
recognize nutritional value, the constituents and what people consume for
energy, growth and sustenance, drawing essentially on their areas natural
endowments and available resources. Food for a people must be based
principally on what they can produce within their environment. Participants
were thus convinced that any wise nation would do everything possible to
avoid the trap of reliance on imported food, and seek to achieve a high
degree of self-reliance, if not self-sufficiency, in food production. This must
involve and include the ability to produce, procure, process and store, within
the nation, the essential food items and constituents required by the Nigerian
people.
National Food Security
The Dialogue defined national food security within the context of national
food reliance and balance. It agreed that food security must imply adequate
access by all the people, at household levels, to adequate and largely
domestically produced food at all times. The Dialogue observed that
dependence on commercial and foreign exchange-consuming imports has
more often than not been detrimental to national and local production. It
noted that increased consumption of imported food items, particularly grains
and their derivatives, has been made possible because of the availability of
foreign exchange, which was misapplied in the past essentially because of
our over-valued exchange rates. This was accentuated by the subsidies given
by the exporting countries themselves to facilitate such imports. The
combined effect of all these was that food import became artificially cheap
while local production was simultaneously depressed as a result of price
disadvantage.

The Dialogue thus recommended that, as a part of the national agricultural

policy, conscious efforts must be made to stem the importation of essential
food items through tariff and non-tariff measures. Participants also
suggested that the goals of encouraging local production must include and
involve price incentives and the encouragement of a taste for locally
produced food items. Equally important is the need to democratize access to
available food by all Nigerians. By this, participants meant that food must
not only be available it must also be cheap and affordable especially to the
low-income group. One modality for effectuating this is to further stimulate
the production process through a reasonable and effective programme of
subsidies.
An Overview of Past and Present Food
Production Efforts
Participants identified several constraints affecting the efficiency of the
Nigerian agrarian practice. These include the fragility of the topsoils, and the
adoption of wrong technologies that are at variance with, and inappropriate
to, the Nigerian production environment. They also include the largely
ineffective agricultural research due to the failure to build on the practice
and experience of the peasants, whose problems the research is supposed to
assist in resolving in the first place. The consequence is the inability of our
research institutions to fully exploit and incorporate the enormous amount of
intellectual capital embedded in our traditional farming skills.
The Dialogue noted that the small-holder farmers, whose knowledge and
experience of their environment and social relations are much deeper than
those of the researchers and the extension workers, have constantly rejected
research recommendations that were inconsistent with traditional farming
systems. In essence, a situation arose in which farmers (especially smallholder farmers) often viewed with skepticism the advice of young
researchers who are seen as immature and whose risky research outputs are
considered to be fraught with many dangers.
The Dialogue also noted that researchers have not been sufficiently
motivated. As a result, there has been some migration of skilled and
experienced minds away from agricultural research. Some have even left the
country to seek greener pastures abroad and, in some cases, to look for better
professional fulfillment in circumstances in which the nations institutions
no longer provide adequate equipment and materials for research. Part of the

constraints on increased food production must thus be seen to include

defective institutional structures, which have discouraged the active
integration of research training and extension service, poor funding and
staffing of research institutes, and the failure to effectively disseminate even
the limited research results that are available. To this should be added the
gross neglect of rural infrastructure and rural development. The overall
consequence is the declining rate of agricultural production, heavy postharvest losses, and a general weakness of the market for locally produced
agricultural commodities.
The Dialogue observed that the limited available research results have not
really reached the farmers. Price incentives have not significantly benefited
them because of the role of the numerous itinerant market intermediaries.
Poor and woefully deficient rural road networks also affect harvesting and
transportation of farm produce to the market.
Moreover, for quite some time, a number of inappropriate policies have
served to strangulate Nigerias agricultural progress. These were identified
to include the failure to define the appropriate roles of government and the
private sector, the resort to policies that emphasize food imports, cheap
urban food, and heavy taxation of export crops.
The average Nigerian farmer has generally, and over the years, been a victim
of inadequate provision of agricultural inputs and services in the quantity
and quality they require. Agricultural extension services have virtually
collapsed in most states and farmers appear unable to secure the input they
require to generate adequate marketable surpluses. The best of extension
services can be regarded as poor. Perhaps more fundamental is the absence
of institutionalized farm credits for small-scale farmers. In recent years, the
non-differentiation of credits for agriculture has had the implication of
making it virtually impossible for farmers to adapt and adopt innovations
and to expand the scale of their farming operations.
Confusing signals also continue to be sent to the Nigerian farmer through
policy instability and inconsistency. The main cause of this is the instability
in the ranks of top-level government functionaries marked by the high
turnover of political and professional leadership in government agricultural
establishments. This has in turn created a lack of consensus on the basic
objectives and direction of our national agricultural policy. Because
agricultural policy moves in fits and starts, the private sector the source of

most agricultural investments fails to receive clear and consistent signals

that are essential for investments and capital formation in agricultural
enterprises.
The Dialogue identified institutional proliferation as a bigger source of
confusion especially with their overlapping mandates and institutional
rivalries. In consequence, a situation has arisen wherein the meagre
budgetary allocation to agriculture has more often than not been lavished on
overheads of such parasatatals and numerous public agencies rather than on
operations of direct benefit to the farmers.
The recurring persistence of the same mistakes in policies and programmes
in the Nigerian agricultural practice was considered as becoming
increasingly irksome. The situation whereby agricultural policies repeatedly
continue to produce ostensibly unintended consequences and beneficiaries,
from year to year, from one government to another instead of serving the
needs of the actual producers remain puzzling. The repeated failure to learn
from past mistakes seems to suggest that the real beneficiaries from
supposedly unintended consequences of such polices are politically more
powerful than the losers from such policies. An understanding of the
persistence of the apparent Nigerian crisis and food insecurity requires a
study and a recognition of the power relations between gainers and losers
from particular public policies in Nigerian agriculture.
The Dialogue was consequently of the view that there is an urgent need to
develop and give wide support to farmers organizations and to rural
development. In addition, necessary and needed pressure must be exerted on
national policy makers with a view to demanding from them required policy
changes and better programme performance if the interests and aspirations
of the rural majority are to be satisfied.
Participants were convinced that discussing the shortfall in agricultural
production and in food and fiber requirements without reference to our
population growth rate is a great error in thinking and strategic planning.
The Nigerian population, as is the case in the rest of sub-Saharan Africa, is
growing at a rate that far outstrips the aggregate increase in food production.
Opinion leaders need to be sensitized to focus more urgently on the need for
the nation to control its population growth rate and to stabilize its
population. The recent efforts of the Nigerian government in initiating
campaigns to raise the awareness on the national importance of family

planning was noted. But policy without implementation is futile, participants

equally observed. However, participants suggested that necessary steps must
be taken to ensure a higher degree of commitment to and seriousness about
these campaigns. Implementing the nations population policy should entail
a carrot and stick approach to family planning. Unless a system of reward
and punishment was introduced not much success would be achieved in
stemming the number of children desired by each couple. The success of any
national family planning programme would require placing broad national
goals over narrow selfish interests. Participants took due cognizance of the
fact that most of those who are in a position to influence thinking and
behaviour with respect to the acceptance of the idea of a small family size
were themselves the worst offenders in promiscuity.
The Dialogue noted that, in spite of Nigerias long history of attempts at
developing an improved system of irrigation agriculture, in fact dating back
to 1961 with the establishment of the Niger Delta Development Board,
irrigation agriculture is still neither well managed nor optimally utilized for
year-round farming, thirty years afterwards.
Women in Agriculture
The contribution of the Nigerian women to the overall development and
progress of the nation has over the years been denied adequate policy
recognition. This appears to be more pronounced in the area of agriculture
and rural development. Non-recognition has meant that the peculiar social
and economic constraints faced by women in these productive sectors of the
economy persist. This is most evident in terms of their very limited access to
farm credit, land and production inputs.
Over the years, policy makers seem to have remained particularly oblivious
of the inequities suffered by women. It was observed that, in some
instances, although women might have worked for as much as sixty per cent
(60%) of the food produced on the farms, they are more often than not
allocated less than ten per cent of the resources. The resultant effect, it was
pointed out, has been that the full potential of women in accelerating
agricultural production and food security has not been actualized.

In the opinion of the Dialogue, it was high time that researchers and
inventors took cognizance of the need to incorporate womens knowledge of
traditional food production and marketing practices into the corpus of
received ideas. They should also clearly delineate the roles of the sexes in
Nigerian agriculture and the implications of this for service delivery and
equipment design and provision.
Correcting the marginalization of rural women in the national scheme of
things must therefore involve the sensitization of Nigerian policy makers
and the active encouragement and empowerment of womens organizations
and groups. In addition, efforts must be made to reflect, in rural development
policies, some appreciation of sex differential in the intra-family allocation
of time and resources and in the resolution of the technological problems
associated with the equitable distribution of intra-family incomes.
Small Scale Farmers
The Dialogue observed that, in the Nigerian agricultural production process,
the role of the small-scale farmer is central to the all-important question of
food security. Ironically, the implementation of some government policies
has shown an undisguised discrimination against the small-scale farmers
even though as much as 80% (eighty per cent) of our marketed agricultural
surpluses come from them.
Agricultural research has made limited progress partly because of the
repeated failure to observe, and partly from a near obstinate refusal to learn
from the traditional small-scale farmer, whose production systems and
techniques have a track record of successes against environmental vagaries
and difficulties. The stock of experimental knowledge that the traditional
small-scale farmer acquired through a process of inter-generation transfer of
farming skills, based on trial and error methods, is not being fully tapped and
integrated into modern agricultural practice through the use of scientific
methodologies of enquiry and appraisal.
The Dialogue, therefore, strongly recommended that policy makers must
make conscious efforts to move away from the stereotype that vilifies the
small-scale farmer as conservative and resistant to change. A better
understanding and appreciation of the farmers extremely sophisticated
adaptation of his production system to his environment must be sought as a
matter of urgency and priority. Researchers must work with the farmer

rather than against him. Henceforth, policy makers must ensure that
researches are not only on inter-cropping and the size of farm holdings, but
also on seeking complete understanding of why small-scale farmers do what
they do and how they can be helped to do them better, cheaper and with
reduced effort and tedium.
Participants were convinced that achieving food security for the nation
requires that the small-scale farmer be persuaded and trained to embrace the
integrated farming system, which combines crop and livestock production,
agro forestry, fisheries and fish farming, water development, conservation
and management. A move in this direction is now imperative. Agricultural
extension workers need to be attuned and orientated towards a more
persuasive approach that emphasizes participation and commercial
demonstration as a more viable means of convincing small-scale farmers to
adopt new technologies and new practices.
In addition, participants urged that, in the area of research, small-scale
farmers should be encouraged to become veritable sources of data.
Large Scale Farmers
Recently, large-scale farmers have emerged as another producing unit of the
Nigerian agrarian system. Because they are yet to constitute a critical mass,
government policies seem as yet not to be favourably disposed to them. It is,
however, the view of the Dialogue that it would be unfortunate, at this stage
of our agricultural development, for policies to show a strong bias against
any scale in the farming system. An integrated view must be taken whereby
large-scale and small-scale farmers are seen as mutually complementary and
collaborative in their efforts. Of special interest among large-scale farming
enterprises is the category commonly referred to as agribusiness.
Agribusiness was defined broadly to include, apart from farming activities,
both the processing of farm produce and the upstream activities of farm
input production. The enterprises that constitute this category in Nigeria are
few and far between and their collective impact is as yet not sufficiently felt.
Participants noted and commended, as a welcome development, the entrance
of international agribusiness into agricultural production in Nigeria but
observed that they cannot be relied upon to solve the problem of food
insecurity in the country. However, they can be very useful in such areas as
the development or expansion of processing plants to handle farmers crops,
with or without the nucleus of an associated estate. An important factor is

the ability (and self interest) of an agribusiness to offer an assured and ready
market to outgrower farmers, as well as provide credit and extension
services if these are needed in large-scale crop production as technical and
financing partners with local landowners (or land owning companies.) This
may be particularly relevant with regard to the production of certain crops,
which may be unattractive to small farmers, because of high costs, the long
maturing period of abnormally difficult physical conditions.
The Dialogue however entered a caveat by enjoining policy makers to pay
special attention to the need to prevent a situation whereby agribusiness
establishments are simply out to exploit small-scale farmers/outgrowers.
This may happen especially when such agribusiness concern is the sole
buyer of the produce of the small farmers as is the case with tobacco.
Participants also observed that agro forestry is one aspect of the Nigerian
agrarian practice that has not been given sufficient attention in the past. It is
now more critical than ever before that the tidal wave of environmental
degradation due to deforestation be stemmed. A plausible combative
strategy must be worked out as a matter of necessity and which must be
anchored on the development and promotion of agro-forestry. Private sector
initiative should also be induced and encouraged in this regard.
The strategy must sensitise Nigerians to the need to plant trees everywhere
possible in our cities and countryside. In addition, adequate and attractive
incentives should be provided to those engaged in agro-forestry to make it
an attractive venture in their lifetime.
Subsidies
Participants frowned at the usually terse arguments advanced against the
subsidization of agricultural inputs such as fertilizers, herbicides, cutlasses,
hoes and machinery. It was argued that the reality of the lived experience of
farmers and farming enterprises around the world confirms that there is
hardly any country that is today self-sufficient in food production but which
has not, at some point in its history, substantially subsidized agricultural
production. It was felt that it was time that Nigerians fashioned out a
carefully packaged subsidy programme that would be consistent with its
drive for food security and food self-sufficiency. Participants were however
quick to point out that such a subsidy programme must be tailored towards a
non-inflationary growth and fiscal balance. It also must target its incentive

clearly to the farmers and, where and when possible must be reduced
progressively over time. In deed, if the programme is to be effective,
deliberate efforts must be made to ensure that it does not fall into the hands
of intermediaries between farmers and consumers.
Human Capital and Energy
The Dialogue agreed that the overall and wholesome development of
Nigerian agriculture is fundamentally dependent on her human resources.
Regrettably, however, our agricultural policies have consistently neglected
the development of our human resources in agriculture especially at the farm
management level. Yet, our success at achieving food security in Nigeria is
contingent upon our collective ability to initiate and execute programmes
that aim at releasing rural-urban migration.
The Dialogue reasoned that, to enhance national capacity in agricultural
production managers for farms and agricultural projects must be trained and
utilized for the jobs for which they are trained. The Dialogue decried the
rapid rate of turnover of political and professional heads of agriculture
ministries and establishments. Continuity of policy is adversely affected by
such a high rate of turnover. Such a trend as this does not allow for a
sustainable development of our agricultural production process. It is indeed
imperative that a modicum of stability be injected into our Ministries of
Agriculture to allow for the maturation of agricultural development policies.
In a similar vein, the Dialogue observed that some considerable amount of
agricultural research information exists in our various universities and
faculties of agriculture as well as in National Agricultural Research
Institutes. Regrettably, this information is neither being utilized nor
effectively packaged and passed on to, the small-scale farmers, who
paradoxically carry the food basket of the nation on their heads and
shoulders. For us to achieve food security, it is important that an effective
bridge be erected between the research laboratories of our agricultural
institutions and the small-scale farmers. The Dialogue therefore
recommended that extension workers be re-motivated, re-mobilized, reenergized and empowered to carry the results of our research institutions to
the fields where they are needed.

This would require the provision for them of facilities such as motorcycles,
bicycles and motor vehicles. Although this would involve a considerable
outlay of capital, in the opinion of the participants, such funding should be
provided from cuts in our military and defense expenditures. Participants
reiterated their belief that food must and should be treated as a security issue
just like the defence of the territorial integrity of the country and protection
of life and property.
The role of energy, particularly renewable energy, was also considered
important as another major factor in our agricultural production process. It is
deemed vital that access to such energy be democratized. Energy must be
available and affordable. Its generation must be based on potentially
renewable sources in Nigeria as in the rest of Africa. These sources, it was
noted, are in abundance. What is more, they are environmentally
wholesome.
The Dialogue noted the current configuration and re-alignment of forces in
Europe and the rest of the world and re-emphasized the futility of an
isolationist stance. Nigeria, like the rest of sub-Saharan Africa, must develop
an inter-connecting and inter-penetrating network of close cooperation and
collaboration with other nations. This is especially important in the area of
research and development. Given the capital intensive nature of research and
development, the Dialogue suggested that, as an issue of primary concern,
efforts should made to exploit the potential contributions of locally-based
international research centres like the IITA, in addition to our national
research organizations that address the problems of our basic food supplies.
Specifically, our national research system must, in a co-ordinated fashion,
seek to exploit research results from the various international research
centres and the complementarities in basic and applied research that exist
between them and such centres.
Political Will and Commitment
Participants at the Dialogue were convinced that, above everything else, the
most important requirement for a sustainable and progressive development
of agricultural production and food security in the nation is the commitment
and the will to achieve success at the highest political level. The current
situation whereby Nigeria is producing less than 80% of its food and fibre
requirements is regarded as precarious, crisis prone and insecure.

The national interest requires that our political leaders see agriculture as the
bedrock of our overall development. The transmutation of this into food for
the hungry can only be pursued to a realistic conclusion only if and when
decisive political will, vision, steadfastness and commitment are displayed.

13
Culture and Development
As a nation and a people, Nigerians cannot expect to pick up the gauntlet of
the development challenges of the 20th and 21st century with the attitude,
belief, mental disposition and predilection of The Stone Age. Because of this
countrys cultural plurality, it is necessary to pick out and clarify those
elements in the various Nigerian cultures that are conducive to progress and
development for culture is no doubt central to virtually all issues of
development.
Defining Culture; its Parameters and Dimension
While acknowledging the fact that culture can mean many different things,
participants agreed on the need for a working definition. They decided on
the following formulation, drawing largely on the definition of culture as
articulated in the booklet, Cultural Policy for Nigeria, published by the
Federal Department of Culture. Culture is the totality of the way of life
evolved by a people in their attempts to meet the challenges of living in their
environment.
Expatiating on this definition, the Dialogue observed that culture gives order
and meaning to the social, political, economic, aesthetic and religious norms
and values of a people, and thus distinguishes them from other peoples. It
comprises material, institutional, philosophical and creative aspects. The
material aspect has to do with artifacts in their various forms, namely tools,
clothing, food, medicine, utensils, housing, etc. The institutional aspect deals
with the political, social, legal and economic objectives while the
philosophical aspect is concerned with ideas, beliefs and values. The
creative aspect concerns a peoples innovativeness in literature (oral or
written), their visual and performing arts, and their scientific and
technological endeavours. Culture also relates to the values of a society in
terms of the societys conception of what is right or wrong (moral values),
what is good or bad (ethical values), what is ugly or beautiful (aesthetic
values).

Culture is not merely a return to the customs of the past; it embodies the
attitude of a people to the future of their traditional values when faced by the
demands of modern technology, which is an essential factor of development
and progress. When we talk, therefore, of self-reliance, self-sufficiency and
a national development objective, we are referring to our culture as the
fountain of and the underlining spirit behind all the policies on educational,
social, political and economic matters. The strategies for national
development would thus depend on the understanding of culture, the
adaptation of its elements for political, educational; and economic
development, as well as the utilization of its strengths for social integration
and development.
It was pointed out that culture has universalistic and particularistic
dimensions that should be taken into account in considering the implications
of the accepted definition.
Culture in the Nigerian Context
Participants at the Dialogue took due cognizance of the multi-cultural nature
and base of the Nigerian nation. They noted that this situation presents
special problems particularly when it is remembered that, even within the
supposedly homogeneous cultural setting, there are basic contradictions and
conflicts. It was however agreed that, in spite of this, it was still possible to
identify common strands that could enable one to talk of a cultural unity
within the nation.
Participants observed that while ethnicity might be seen as germane to the
understanding of the emergence of a culture, the role of economic
development, especially in the evolution of a national culture, was of equal
significance. For instance, the mode of production in Nigeria has changed
and has affected the social relations of production across the nation. The
emergent culture is a broad-based one indicating that the role of ethnicity in
social relations is more or less vertical in the diverse Nigerian cultures.
Development and the emergence of cultural homogeneity, it was agreed,
were usually a function of power relations. The process of national
integration compels the cultivation of a better and a more united cultural
stance. In the Nigerian context, forces that make for such integration include
the common legislative and political processes, education, inter-regional
trade and labour movements as well as the National Youth Service Corps

scheme. The negative effects of the multi-cultural setting, however, persist

in some anti-social and anti-national attitudinal dispositions in circumstances
of interaction and interface among the various sub-cultures as well as in the
difficulty of evolving national norms of behaviour especially in public life.
In order to promote the emergence of a national culture, Nigerians should
encourage the development and transformation of the various sub-cultures.
Encouragement should be given to more people to produce books on the
different aspects of their sub-cultures as a first step towards identifying
strands relevant to the emergence of a common collective cultural identity.
Governments at federal, state and local levels should sponsor the publication
in particular areas of need, but should refrain from engaging in the
publishing of the books; instead, the private sector should be allowed to
handle it as a corollary. Participants suggested that the government should
ensure that the contents of such books are incorporated into the curricula of
our educational institutions. In addition, participants reasoned that, for now,
the country requires a national textbook policy. School textbooks should be
written from essentially a national point of view. Attempts must be made
through such textbooks to debunk the old, colonial and racist fallacies and
stereotypes about our culture and practices.
The current content of nursery education, for instance, shows the
predominance of foreign-oriented rhymes, songs, stories and incidents; a
situation that tend to aggravate the cultural bleaching of our children. Since
nursery education constitutes the childs first contact with the world of
formal education, there is the urgent need to review the contents of the
materials used in nursery schools to make them more culturally relevant. For
added measure, a manufacturing firm should be established to produce toys
that can be used to introduce our children to their environment since such
toys will be culturally appropriate. As a further step towards solidifying the
goals of a culturally united and informed Nigeria, efforts should be made to
go beyond the writing of books. Other modes of cultural transmission such
as locally produced films and video tapes should be made available to serve
as a means of communicating the more subtle, visual and non-visual aspects
of our culture.
The Dialogue also suggested that educational materials should be creatively
packaged to ensure their attractiveness for young readers. They should be
entertaining as well as informative. The effect of changes in educational
policy on textbooks should be closely monitored to ensure that the

presentation of cultural material is not compromised as was often the case in

the past. While agreeing that all of us are passive producers of culture in one
form or the other, participants suggested that, to aid the cultural development
of the Nigerian nation, means should be devised to assist the producers of
cultural materials and artifacts.
The Dialogue was of the opinion that information management in Nigeria, as
currently practiced is loose, unselective, and unrestrictive since it admits of
all shades of influence. It is crucial that positive actions need to be taken to
protect our youths against unfavourable foreign influences through the reorientation of our educational system. Such a re-orientation should be geared
towards the sensitization of our youths to the more positive aspects of the
Nigerian culture.
The Dialogue was of the view that, for now, the search for a national linguafranca should be regarded as both fruitless and time-wasting because the
English language provides a convenient means of communication among the
various linguistic groups in the Nigerian polity. Besides, English is widely
spoken internationally although the language has its own advantages and
inconveniences. In any case, the issue of a lingua franca should be
considered secondary to the more important need to broaden the base of an
educational system if it is to be more relevant to the need of our nation. At
the same time, the implementation of our national language policy, which
requires every student to learn at least one of the major Nigerian languages
apart from his own, should be pursued with greater vigour. If plans to allow
the business of the legislature under a democratic system to be conducted in
the main Nigerian languages are vigorously pursued, they should also help
in this matter. The consensus of opinion was that the wiping out of illiteracy
as quickly as possible would be a major step towards achieving this principal
goal of the national language policy. Participants agreed that, although a
common Nigerian culture is still in the making, some of its basic
characteristics are already becoming clearly identifiable. These include:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.

Self-assertiveness;
commitment to free expression and a free press;
abhorrence of oppression;
love of freedom;
respect for elders;
hospitality;

g. caring and sharing (the actualization of the adage of being ones

brothers keeper); and
h. appreciation of the positive values of the extended family system.
On the basis of the above, the Dialogue observed that a cultured Nigerian is:
a. a person deeply-rooted in his own sub-culture who appreciates and
respects the cultures of other Nigerians;
b. a person who consciously behaves and operates in a manner
acceptable as decent by the generality of Nigerians; and
c. a person who is fully aware of, and appreciates, our national cultural
heritage including our music, dances, arts, etc.
Culture as it Relates to Development
In examining how culture relates to development, participants began by
reviewing the cultural terrain of the Nigerian nation and concluded that,
when certain cultural practices and attitudinal dispositions are enhanced and
allowed to thrive, they become well-suited to the development process.
These practices and predispositions include sincerity and honesty, selflessness, sensitivity, handwork, frugality, (leading to savings), moderation,
sense of belonging, peaceful co-existence, respect for the rule of law and for
the fundamental human rights, self-help, cooperation hospitality, tolerance,
love of freedom, patriotism, self-confidence and inventiveness. The
Dialogue identified certain desirable characteristics among particular ethnic
groups and suggested that this should be promoted. It noted for instance the
identifiable loyalty of the Yorubas to constituted authority when such
authorities operate according to accepted norms. The spirit of creativity and
hard-work among the Awka and Nnewi manufacturers, the frugality and
loyalty of the Fulani, and the Afrocentric cultural conservatism of the Edo,
are other examples of the qualities that need to be identified and promoted.
Conversely, some negative values and practices were identified as inimical
to the growth and overall development of the society. These include greed,
subservience, lawlessness and indiscipline, indolence, intolerance, fraud, and
cheating, god-fatherism, child abuse and instability of the family institutions.
The Nigerian love of freedom, it was pointed out, is attributable to our
historical experience. This is not to suggest that the colonial government was
particularly oppressive, but is did not fully allow the expression of the

freedom inherent in democratic practice and self-governance. Since

independence, Nigeria has been lucky not to have any seriously oppressive
regime. The national value, however, requires eternal vigilance. Our values
must be constantly reinforced and not allowed to diminish in intensity and
growth.
Other cultural practices such as traditional modes of socio-political
organization also need to be carefully fine-tuned to make them more relevant
to our national development. Of particular significance is the element of
democratic governance. In the opinion of participants, it is inconceivable to
talk of participatory governance without a commitment to democracy and to
popular access to the institutions of governance. There is, therefore, an
urgent need to promote those elements of the Nigerian culture that enhance
the development and flowering of a strong tradition of democratic
governance.
Certain accepted cultural practices were also identified as basically
antithetical to the development and growth of the Nigerian nation. These
include the popular culture of pleading, and of trying to shield individuals
from the consequences of their actions. While noting, for instance, that even
in law, pleading is allowed, participants frowned at the general
pervasiveness of any practice capable of ultimately undermining discipline
and encouraging lawlessness. It was agreed that the culture of pleading is
essentially inconsistent and incompatible with modern-day management
practice, and that efforts should be made to discourage and stamp it out in all
areas of our national life.
In a similar vein, participants decried the culture of pilfering, which has
almost become a cankerworm in the industries, banks, and agricultural and
other sub-sectors of the Nigerian economic life. Cheating, shirking work,
bribery and corruption of all types have been elevated to the status of a
social norm in the Nigerian business world. The pervasiveness of these
negative practices seemed to have been the products of the serious sociopolitical dislocation and disarticulation arising from the civil war and the oil
boom. Regardless of this historical reality, participants were of the opinion
that drastic steps should be taken to contain these practices. The Nigerian
legal system and the law enforcement agencies should be made more
sensitive and effective in countering these anti-developmental values and
practices.

The Dialogue further observed that it was indeed a shame that, over the
years, Nigeria had not built a thriving film industry. The first positive step in
this direction must include the provision by the government of needed
incentives to the enterprising young men currently striving to develop the
Nigerian film industry. It was emphasized that a Nigerian film industry must
be based on our culture and the films must be made to project and reinforce
our positive cultural values.
On the general issue of culture as it relates to development, the Dialogue
concluded with the following recommendations:
a. The State should provide the necessary policy climate and incentives
to encourage cultural production.
b. The development of science and technology should go hand in hand
with humanistic studies in our educational institutions.
c. The role of the family in sustaining the values necessary for
development should continuously be emphasized.
d. A climate should be created that would encourage people to make
things work and to participate in making things happen.
e. The right to be consulted and striving towards consensus.
f. Women should be further assisted through government patronage as
well as national shopping centres to stock and sell cultural artifacts.
g. Our film industry should be developed in a manner that would
encourage the creative expression of our best cultural values.
h. Young and enterprising film makers should be given access to funding
and technical resources as a matter of public policy.
State, Culture and Development
The consensus of opinion at the Dialogue was that the nature and formation
of the Nigeria cultural super-structure have tremendous and pervasive
influence on the sort of cultural policies that shape and direct our national
development. The Nigerian state, it was argued, must strive to perpetuate
those values and virtues that Nigerians have come to accept. The noticeable
failure of our public institution to bring to bear on their operations our
established cultural practices needs to be consciously obviated. Virtually all
of these institutions have over the years failed to reflect, in their actions, the
social aspects of our cultural life such as hospitality, politeness, warmth and
courteous reception of people. The consequence has been a situation wherein
civil servants and other state officials have become civil masters. Institutions

under such civil servants have become associated with insensitivity, a bossy
and uncaring attitude and insincerity. On the basis of the above discussions
participants suggested that:
a. Our leadership should encourage our public institutions to apply our
cultural values of hospitality, respect and sensitivity, to their day-today activities.
b. The State must show a greater interest in the development of our
human resources and foster more opportunities for the re-training of
workers.
c. The State should consciously promote the reading culture in the
people.
d. Libraries should be established at all the levels of governance
including the community level.
e. Schools should be encouraged to give books rather than cash as prizes
in recognition of good performance by studies.
f. Government should plan its activities in such a way that bottlenecks
are removed from the process of delivering public services. Such
bottlenecks are usually exploited by public servants to create
opportunities for corruption, and by so doing, subvert our positive
cultural values in public institutions;
g. State should review all ordinances that have negative impact on our
culture.
Propagation of the Nigerian Culture
The propagation of the Nigerian culture is an imperative for our
development process. The Dialogue was dismayed that the usual prominence
given to cultural shows in our officially organized cultural festivals has
tended to give a narrow picture of the Nigerian culture. This is because it
allows such shows to overshadow other aspects of our culture such as
literary arts, and technological and scientific inventions. It is absolutely
essential that a broader perspective be taken when presenting and promoting
our culture.
The educational system is a powerful means of propagating and transmitting
culture. For this reason, there is a strong need to check the negative
projection of the countrys image in textbooks as is the case with some of
the existing textbooks. Indeed, efforts should be deliberately made to
encourage the production of books that paint a more positive, dignifying and

enhancing image of the Nigerian people. In this connection, it was

recommended that, in the place of European literature, literature from the
Caribbean in addition to Nigerian literature should be adopted and
recommended to our students.
Over the years, the Nigerian government has been engaged in signing
cultural agreements with one country or the other. Such cultural agreements
usually include programmes for the exchange of films and other cultural
materials. Unfortunately, lack of funds has often made it impossible for us to
take full advantage of such programmes to project our culture abroad. Worse
still, private organizations, which could have filled the gap created by public
sector inadequacy, have in the past been denied access to materials capable
of promoting and helping to propagate the Nigerian culture outside the
country. The dialogue therefore recommended that greater attention be paid
to joint efforts between the government and private organizations to
disseminate abroad well-articulated information on Nigerian culture.
With respect to the local propagation of Nigerian culture, participants
observed that village squares are a manufacturing centre for culture. Over
the years, the role of such squares as a source of the spontaneous production
of culture would seem to have been ignored. The consequence is that the
urban areas and the modernization process are being allowed to
surreptitiously regress the propagation of the Nigerian culture. Hence, it was
suggested than a return to the village square, as a valuable avenue and
setting for the true propagation of our culture, should be strongly
encouraged.
As a part of the joint and collective effort aimed at propagating the Nigerian
culture, participants recommended as follows:
a. That existing cultural institutions should be adequately funded.
b. That all government institutions should accord a high priority to
commercial cultural activities as a means of generating own revenue
while at the same time propagating our culture.
c. That the government should make policies for the encouragement of
private sector participation in cultural industries. Such policies should
be aimed at attracting support for culture producers by way of bank
loans, endowments and donations.
d. That multi-purpose miniature auditoriums should be constructed in
each local government area of the country.

e. That task forces should be set up to promote cultural industries. The

membership of each task force should include the following
categories of persons:
i. culture administrators;
ii culture producers;
iii business/management/consultants;
f. That private television stations should be allowed but regulated by the
government.
g. That a greater use should be made of programme exchange
arrangements either as a part of cultural agreements or as cultural
exchange with specialized organizations.
h. That Nigerian service clubs and non-governmental organizations
should be encouraged to promote Nigerian culture abroad through
cooperation with public cultural institutions.
i. That the teaching of handicrafts, music, and fine arts in schools should
be promoted by including courses on them in the curricula.
j. That cultural festivals should be encouraged at national, state and
local government levels.
k. That a hospitable climate should be created to encourage private
investments (both local and foreign) in cultural industries.
l. That parents should be educated on the advantages of educating their
young children within their cultural milieu rather than within the alien
cultural environment to which children are exposed when they are
trained outside their country.
m. That cultural environment and cultural diplomacy should be targeted
to stimulate economic growth and to benefit our cultural industries
through the promotion of the taste for Nigerian artifacts and fashion in
other countries, especially those of the Black Diaspora.
n. That considering the tough competition faced by locally produced
television programmes from foreign ones and the preference of the
viewing public for the latter due to the lower quality of the local ones,
encouragement should be given to local producers by the government
to ensure the production of high quality television programmes.
o. That the critical role of the mass media as promoters of culture at
national and international levels, should be supported.
p. That attempts should be made to re-create, for the benefit of the
younger generation, the practice of moonlight story-telling so that our
folklore and local history can be disseminated to our youths in an
informed, entertaining and cheerful setting.

Cultural Identity and Nationalism

The Dialogue noted and appreciated the rate at which the world is fast
becoming a global village. It observed that, given the geo-political
responsibilities of Nigeria in and around Africa and the black world, it was
important that the country should avoid cultural isolationism. This issue has
a special significance given the temptations for cultural chauvinism or
nationalism. It was agreed that, because of the modicum of common traits
that exist among the black communities throughout the world, Nigeria must
provide the leadership in the promotion of the common cultural heritage of
all Africans and peoples of African descent spread all over the world. It must
also accept the challenge of studying the cultural resources of other black
societies and identifying within them the common cultural strands which
could then be fused together and used to enhance the evolution of an
authentic and modern African and black culture. Although African
integration needs to start from the cultural realm, it was recognized that any
efforts aimed at achieving successes in the direction of integration must
emphasize the need for African nations to have control over the economy of
their various countries. A conducive international environment was also
regarded as critical to the evolution of an integrated African culture. It must
also be recognized that the logic of global development would necessarily
inform and propel the process of our cultural evolution. The establishment of
the Organization of African Unity some twenty-seven years ago provides a
framework within which such cultural evolution can be promoted. Although
this Organization has hardly justified all the expectations of Africans, it was
the view of participants that it has not been a complete failure. For this
reason, Nigeria should make use of it and such other organizations as the
Economic Community of West African States to articulate and project
African values and culture.

Opening Remarks
by

Chairman, Africa Leadership Forum

Over the next two days, our focus would be on yet another crucible of the
development process, culture. We would be examining the way it relates to
and affects the development process. For me, culture connotes the totality of
the way of life and living of a people. It informs and shapes their attitudes
and disposition.
Part of our task this weekend, as we trade views and exchange ideas, revolve
around identifying those aspects of our culture that are consensually denoted
as being dysfunctional to development. At the same time, I believe that those
aspects that are ordinarily deemed functional to development need to be
queried, examined critically, assessed and possibly amended as deemed fit.
We must accept that, as a nation and as a people, we cannot honestly expect
to pick up the gauntlet of the development challenges of the twentieth
century with the attitude, belief, mental disposition and predilection of the
Stone Age. What is essential is the need for us to examine and possibly
identify the common strands that would enable us to characterize the
Nigerian with a view to ascertaining, with clarity, those elements that are
basically Nigerian.
I challenge all of us here this weekend to pick up this yeomans job with the
earnestness it deserves. Since the introduction of the Farm House Dialogue
on the Development Series, culture has remained a recurrent issue in our
discussions in the earlier seven Dialogues. It is no doubt one of the strongest
indications of the centrality of the subject to the development question. How
we handle the issue of culture, I believe, would have significant and far
reaching implications for our effective management of the development
process.
Let me say that it is not enough for us to romanticize in nostalgia with the
glorious past and lament the erosion of past sacrosanct values, we must
realize and accept that the world is changing and at a somewhat frenetic
pace. The configuration of forces does not allow us the hitherto luxury of
lamentation. I do agree that colonialism and modernization are two forces
that create antinomies of cultural dis-articulation and dis-orientation. But it
is incumbent upon us to move from the ear of diagnosis to that of the cure.

The first two decades of our independence have been spent diagnosing and
lamenting our woes. Now is the time to anchor our precepts in the sea of
positive reinforcement, if our adaptation to the reality of our efforts at
changing our life chances as a people must have meaning.
I believe that culture is a dynamic phenomenon and that, when it becomes
static, stagnation sets in, the rot begins and we cannot, within such a
scenario, possibly talk of embracing, undertaking and confronting headlong
the challenges of development.
What remains crucial for us is to identify how we can root our development
in our culture. Culture is a way of life, and if its development is to enjoy a
mass approach and be popularly embraced, it must be pursued as a way of
life. A culture-informed and induced development process is an easier task
compared to a process that is abstracted from the mainstream of the peoples
thoughts, attitude, disposition and behavioural processes.
What aspects of our common collective consciousness, our culture, need to
be reinforced, augmented, refined, re-defined and re-directed to aid our
development process? Nigerians are, for instance, said to be assertive,
resilient, ingenious and audacious as a people and as a nation. These no
doubt are good attributes of humankind. Similarly, I believe that there is no
ethnic group in Nigeria whose culture encourages those who do not work to
live in indolence and eat off the sweat of the rest of the community. Neither
is there any aspect of the various sub-cultures that have congealed into the
Nigerian culture, that extols pilfering as a virtue. How then is it that we have
come to accept these anti-development idiosyncrasies as a norm? How come
that we have turned normal hospitality and expression of gratitude into the
extolling of bribery and corruption? But perhaps the bigger and more knotty
and certainly more challenging question is: how might we utilize the positive
virtues and aspects of our culture in the effective management of our
resources such that our attempts at development would be more meaningful,
more concrete, and more effective?
I believe that our individual tasks must start from the basic social unit, the
family cell. For far too long, most of us, in our individual attempts to keep
up with the Joneses, have thrown decorum, decency, morality and cultural
inhibitions overboard. We have harangued and allowed ourselves to be
bullied into accepting the status consciousness and symbols as a major preoccupation and, in the process; we have largely socialized our children and
our young ones into an inverted culture.

Some of our stabilisng factors at the family level need to be rekindled to

bring back the blunting and blurring balms of our social existence. For
sometimes, the extended family system has taken the sting away from the
biting effects of modernization. That, to my mind, is a good cultural value
that must be rekindled and invigorated to ensure that part of our human
resources is not lost to the wild cats of society.
In a similar vein, some of our traditional instruments of governance are more
accessible and basically integratable into the main stream of our modern
setting. It is only in this sense that we can hopefully re-produce and
effectively sensitise the younger generation to the positive aspects of our
culture. Tools and equipment must be people-based, people-designed,
people-oriented and dependent on the skills of the user, if we are to
hopefully maximize their usage. Thus, whatever is designed has to be
culturally inspired and induced.
The most significant aspect of our culture is the attitude of caring and
sharing. This attitude propels, edifies and consolidates the society. Each of
us has a stake in providing infants and young children, wherever they may
live within the society, adequate nutritional and emotional nurturing as will
allow them a decent start in life. If we do not, they will burden us for
decades with the costs of illness, dependency and crime. We all have a stake
in helping adolescents and young adults in their transition from school to the
increasingly demanding work force of our age. All of us must show interest
in the absorption into jobs and the re-training of workers who are left behind
by the changing economic tide so that they will not be condemned to
unproductive, dependent and criminal lives, which we all have to pay for.
We all find personal reassurance in providing the elderly with freedom from
the fear of infirmity or any illness that may devastate their health, emotional
hangover, loneliness, and neglect. Apart from enlightened self-interest,
caring and sharing is a moral re-sponsibility. The moral integrity of our
society depends, to a great extent, upon our ability to unite behind and by
this belief. Let me seize this opportunity to thank our Chairman, Prof. Saburi
Biobaku who, in spite of our rather short notice, was able to honour our
humble invitation to share his experience and wisdom with us. While saying
a big thank you to him, I would like to remind you all of the free, frank,
spontaneous and recommendatory nature of the Farm House Dialogue and I
wish you all a fruitful time in your discussion.
Thank you.

Opening Address
by

Professor Saburi Biobaku

Chairman of the Forum
The Chairman of the Africa Leadership Forum, Ladies and gentlemen. I
think I should start by expressing my great pleasure at participating in this
Farm House Dialogue of the Africa leadership Forum taking place this
weekend here in Ota. Our former Head of State and our chief host has
converted his famous farm into a veritable Camp David or Checkers of the
United States of America and Great Britain respectively. Instead of
communing with visiting Heads of state as President Bush might do, or
holding important inner cabinet meetings as Prime Minister Margaret
Thatcher might do, he has invited us (and others before us) to hold a
Dialogue on an important national issue: Culture and Development. He has
carefully assembled a select group of knowledgeable men and women,
adroitly balanced as to profession, discipline and age, making sure that the
young, the mature as well as the experienced would interact to our mutual
benefit. I am sure that we are all grateful to our great host and that we also
applaud his efforts to ensure, through discussions, that we examine together
and understand our national problems, of which we are all a part, and
thereby ensure that we all become a part of the solution to those problems.
We exchange views freely on our subject and maybe, arrive at conclusions
that, if they reach the ears of those who formulate national policies and make
decisions, will certainly enrich the submissions of their official advisers.
Ours is therefore a privilege and an opportunity of which I am sure we are
all grateful.
Our topic this weekend is Culture and Development. I have circulated, to
this gathering, some notes of a recent lecture that I gave to some young
persons on the subject. I hope those who have read the notes would concede
that, if I had had a longer notice, I would have produced a more profound
paper. However, I think the notes have pointed out some of the leads that we
can use for our discussion. But first, we need to define Culture. Will
Professor Sofolas suggestion give us a good start? Culture is a learned
pattern of behaviour, ideas, beliefs and the artifacts shared as a people and

which is socially transmitted from one generation to another. Thus, we have

cultural heritage.
On development, we should concentrate on the problems of a developing
country, eradicating ignorance, poverty and disease; joining the society of
manufacturers and shedding our status as producers of raw materials mainly.
We need to modernize our economy but should we do this at the expense of
our cultural development? In Nigeria, should we not be mindful that we have
a common cultural heritage and that we can, in fact, achieve unity within our
diversity?
We can dwell a little on various facets of our culture. In Art, it has been
scientifically established that there is a continuum of sculptural excellence,
of at least 2000 years, starting from Nok through Igbo-Ukwu, Ife, Owo and
Benin. Similarly, in other forms of Art and Thought, there is a strong
indication of common norms, common standards of behaviour and indeed a
common heritage. We can draw unifying examples from our dances, music,
drama, architecture and language with their ancillary of folklore.
We can ask ourselves whether the maintenance and development of our
culture is relevant to our national development. My own answer is Yes! But
are we doing enough in this regard? One is happy that we now have a
Ministry of Culture and Social Welfare, which indicates that our government
is placing the right emphasis on cultural development. There is also a
cultural policy, which was recently officially launched. But is our
government really doing enough? What about the Department of Culture, the
Council of Arts and Culture, the Museums and Monuments Commission and
other government agencies established for the preservation and propagation
of our Culture: do they have enough funds to discharge their obligations?
We can discuss the rationale of a National Troupe, annual All-Nigeria
Cultural Festivals and see whether we are really spreading the gospel of
Culture among all our peoples. We often see school children in cultural
displays entertaining guests at state functions, is that enough? Should we not
teach culture in our schools and colleges?
I am sure we shall not be short of issues to discuss in this Dialogue on
Culture and Development. It is important that we should do this for, even
with our justifiable desire to enter the technological age and engage in
essential modernization to study science, mathematics and the latest in
computer technology , we need to underpin our development with a proper

appreciation of our culture. We need cultural identity as Nigerians and

Africans and, through the development of our culture, we have an excellent
opportunity to contribute to the amalgam of world culture. Above all, we
must always remember that human beings are not birds; we cannot fly but
are deeply rooted in the soil from which we sprung. We need to develop,
defend and propagate our culture, if our aspiration for modernization will
not be lopsided.
Members of the Dialogue on Culture and Development, I think I have said
enough to get our discussion started.
Thank you all for your attention.

List of Participants at the Farm

House Dialogues
Leadership and Development
General Olusegun Obasanjo, Former Head of State of Nigeria and
Chairman, Africa Leadership Forum
Chief S. O. Adebo, Former Nigerian Permanent Representative to the United
Nations and former Executive Director of UNITAR
Prof. Chimere Ikoku Vice-Chancellor of University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
Prof. Claude Ake, Professor of Political Science, University of Port
Harcourt, Nigeria.
Prof. Tayo Seriki, Chairman, Siemens Nigeria Ltd. Lagos
Prof. Oyeleye Oyediran, Professor of Political Science, University of Lagos,
Akoka, Lagos
Prof. Ojetunji Aboyade, Chairman, Presidential Advisory Committee Mr.
Yaya Abubakar, Former Permanent Secretary and Director of National
Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, Jos.
Chief Arthur Nwankwo, Chairman, and Chief Executive of Fourth
Dimension Publications, Ltd.,
Mrs. Bilikisu Yusuf, Editor of New Nigerian Newspaper
Mr. Audu Ogbe, Former Federal Minister of Communications
Prof. G. O. Olusanya, Director-General, Nigerian Institute of International
Affairs
Dr. Femi Badejo, Senior lecturer, University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos

Education for Development

Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo, Former Head of State of Nigeria.
Prof. Akin L. Mabogunje, Pro-Chancellor, Ogun State University and
Council Chairman
Dr. Michael Omolayole, Chairman and Managing Consultant Omolayole
and Associates
Prof. A. Oke Adekola, Former Vice-Chancellor, Federal University of
Technology, Bauchi
Dr. J. A. O. Sofolahan, Chairman, Implementation Committee, National
Policy on Education
Prof. Sylvanus J. S. Cookey, Vice-Chancellor, University of Port-Harcourt
Prof. Nurudeen Alao, Vice-Chancellor, University of Lagos
Prof. G. O. Olusanya, Director-General, Nigerian Institute of International
Affairs
Prof. Reuben Udo, Former Deputy Vice-Chancellor, University of Ibadan
Prof. E. Osagie, Director of Research, National Institute for Policy and
Strategic Studies, Kuru, Jos
Prof. Akin Akindoyeni, Director of Physical Planning, National Universities
Commission.
Dr. Femi Badejo, Senior Lecturer, University of Lagos
Dr. M. Kwanashie, Department of Economics, Ahmadu Bello University,
Samaru, Zaria.
Dr. Yaya Olaniran, Agricultural Consultant
Mr. Yaya Abubakar, Management Consultant, Kano

Youth and Development

Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo, Former Head of State of Nigeria
Chief Osita Okeke, National President, University of Ibadan Alumni
Association.
Prof. Akin Mabogunje, Pro-chancellor, Ogun State University and Council
Chairman
Mr. Tubasen J. Danji, Farm Manager, NYSC, Farm Project Office, Biu,
Borno State.
Dr. Yaya Olaniran, Agricultural Consultant
Dr. Femi Badejo, Senior Lecturer, Department of Political Science,
University of Lagos
Mr. Abubakar Momoh, Asst. Lecturer, Department of Political Science,
Lagos State University
Mr. Danladi Bako, Asst. Chief Producer, National Production, NTA
Mr. Ibi Sofekun, National Executive Vice President, Nigerian Jaycees
Mr. Adeola Johnson, Mechanical Engineer, NNPC, Warri
Dr. Ebun Sonaiya, Managing Director, Avenue Investments Limited, Lagos
Mr. Bode Ojomu, President, Students Union, University of Ibadan
Mr. Tokunbo Ololade, Senior Accountant, I Hotel Eko Meriden, Lagos
Professor Wande
Univeristy, Ile-Ife

Abimbola, Vice

Chancellor, Obafemi

Awolowo

Revd. Olubanjo Oshewa, National Secretary, Anglican Youth Fellowship,

Nigeria
Mr. Victor Ogundipe, General Manager, Commerce Bank Limited

Dr. Iyabo Obasanjo, Veterinary Doctor and Youth Corp Member

Mr. Ayodele Aderinwale, Africa leadership Forum
Alhaji (Chief) Ganiyu Kola Balogun, Labour Consultant
Communication and Development
General Olusegun Obasanjo, Former Head of State of Nigeria
Prof. Akin Mabogunje, Pro-Chancellor, Ogun State University and Council
Chairman
Alhaji Ahmed Joda, Chairman, SCODA Nigeria Ltd.,
Chief Simeon Adebo, Former Nigerian Permanent Representative to the
United Nations and Former Executive Director of UNITAR
Mr. Raymond Ekpu, Editor-in-Chief, Newswatch Magazine
Prof. Femi Osofisan, Ag. Head of Dept. of Theatre Arts, University of
Ibadan
Mr. Amuzie Akpaka, Editor, This Week Magazine
Mrs. Eno Irukwu, Electoral Commissioner, National Electoral Commission
Vera Ifudu, Journalist, 28, Bode Thomas Street, Surulere, Lagos
Mrs. Chris Anyanwu, Former Commissioner of Information, Imo State
Mr. Bello Aliu Garga, Kano State Foundation, P. O. Box 2720, Kano
Mr. Ayo Olanrewaju, News Manager, NTA 7, Tejuoso, Lagos
Dr. Tanure Ojaide, Department of English, University of Maiduguri
Ms. Maudlyn Park, NTA Channel 10, Lagos
Mr. Ayodele Aderinwale, Africa Leadership Forum, Ota

Dr. Olatunji Dare, Editorial Board Member, The Guardian, Lagos

Dr. Yaya Olaniran, Agricultural Consultant, Ibadan
Mrs. Bilikisu Yusuf, Editor, News Nigerian Newspaper, Kaduna
Alhaji Garba Adamu, International Tobacco Company, Zaria
Alhaji Haroun Adamu, Publisher, The Nigerian Economist.
Mr. Tommy Odemwingwe, Communication Consultant, UNICEF
Dr. Femi Badejo, Senior Lecturer, Department of Political Science,
University of Lagos
Mr. Ibi Sofekun, Pinhole Creations, Ikoyi, Lagos
Labour and Development
General Olusegun Obasanjo, Former Head of State of Nigeria and
Chairman, Africa Leadership Forum
Major General Henry Adefowope, Former Labour Minister
Professor Akin L. Mabogunje, Pro-Chancellor, and Council Chairman, Ogun
State University
Mr. Femi Badaki, Human Resources Dept., I.I.T.A., Ibadan
Dr. M. Omolayole, Chairman and Managing Consultant, Omolayole
Associates
Mr. O. Sokunbi, Director, National Institute of Labour Studies, Ilorin
Dr. O. Dare, Editorial Board Member, The Guardian
Dr. Chidi Amuata, Editor, The Platform, Lagos
Mr. Owei Lakemfa, Labour Correspondent, Vanguard Newspapers

Alhaji Hassan Sunmonu, Organization of African Trade Union Unity, Accra,

Ghana.
Professor J.U.J. Asiegbu, Director-General, National Productivity Centre,
Lagos
Dr. Dafe Otobo, Senior Lecturer, Dept. of Industrial Relations, University of
Lagos
Dr. (Mrs.) Durojaiye Oyekanmi, Dept. of Sociology, University of Lagos,
Akoka
Mrs. S. Jibril, Former Commissioner, Kwara State
Dr. Ganiyu K. Balogun, Labour and Public Relations
Dr. (Mrs.) M. A. Johnson, Dept. of Modern European Languages, University
of Lagos
Prof. (Mrs.) Tomilayo Adekanye, Oyo State Commissioner for Agriculture
Amb. B. A. T. Balewa, Bauchi, Bauchi State
Mr. A. D. Okorobie, Iron & Steel Senior Staff Association
Mr. M. A. Olabode, National Association of Nigerian Nurses & Midwives.
Mr. G.U. Agwu, Civil Mitte. Dept, Delta Steel Co. Ltd.,
Mr. Muyiwa Bamgbose, Warri
Professor O. Odumosu, Dept. of Law, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile
Ife
Mr. Ibi Sofekun, Pinhole Creations, Ikoyi, Lagos
Dr. Femi Badejo, Senior Lecturer, Dept of Political Science, University of
Lagos.

Mr. Ayodele Aderinwale, Africa Leadership Forum

Dr. Yaya Olaniran, Agricultural Consultant, Ibadan Alhaji Segun Obilana,
Labour Consultant, Lagos
Health and Development
General Olusegun Obasanjo, Former Head of State of Nigeria
Prof. C. Nwokolo, Pro-Chancellor & Chairman of Council, Ahmadu Bello
University, Zaria
Prof. T. A. Lambo, African Health Consultancy Services, P. O. Box 703,
Ikeja, Lagos
Chief S. O. Adebo, Former Nigerian Permanent Representative at the United
Nations and former Executive Director of UNITAR
Chief M. A Majekodunmi, 3, Kingsway Road, Ikoyi, Lagos
Prof. Akin L. Mabogunje, Pro-Chancellor and Council Chairman, Ogun
State University
Mr. Onajomo Onarere, Health Desk, The Guardian Press Ltd., P. M. B.
1217, Oshodi, Lagos
Mr. Adewoye Rotimi, President, Nigerian Medical Students Association,
Obafemi Awolowo College of Medicine, Ogun State University, Shagamu,
Ogun State
Prof. A. Akinkugbe, College of Medicine, University of Lagos
Dr. Tade Aina, Dept. of Sociology, Arts Block, Room 327, University of
Lagos
Lt. Col. U.O. Dikko (Rtd), Managing Director, Arewa Pharmaceutical Ltd.
P. O. Box 4281, Kaduna South
Alhaji Y. Magaji, Director, Nigerian Institute for Trypanosomiasis Research,
P.M.B. 2077, Kaduna.

Chief J. O. Lambo, 41 Shofuntere St., Apapa Road, Ebute-Metta, Lagos

Dr. Funmi Olagbaiye, Dept. of Psychology, University of Lagos, Akoka,
Lagos
Mairo Y. Bello, Bank of the North, Data Processing Dept. Head Office,
2, Zaria Road, P. O. Box 211, Kano
Monsignor Pedro Martins, 33, Adetokunbo Ademola Street, V.I., Lagos.
Professor Anezi Okoro, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, P.M.B.
1129, Enugu
Dr. F. Badejo, Department of Political Science, University of Lagos
Alhaji Abdul Ganiyu Olatunji, Imam, Ogo Oluwa Amje Mosque, Alakuko,
Lagos State
Dr. Y. M. Maiangwa, Director, Africa Leadership Forum, Ota
Professor Akinkugbe, University College Hospital, Ibadan
Mr. P. A. Aderinwale, Africa Leadership Forum, Ota
Dr. Sadiq S. Wali, State House Clinic, Dodan Barracks, Ribadu Road, Lagos
Hajiya Amina Sambo, Chairperson Kano State Child Welfare Committee,
Kano.
Professor Eyitayo Lambo, c/o Economics Department, University of Ilorin,
Ilorin.
Dr. F.B. Adenika, Panpharm Ltd. P.M.B. 165, Ikeja, Lagos
Women in Development
General Olusegun Obasanjo, former Head of State of Nigeria
Chief (Mrs.) Tejumade Alakija, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

Hajiya Bilikisu Abdurrahaman, Director, MAMSER, National Headquarters,

Abuja.
Mrs. Joe Nwokedi, 102 Awolowo Road, Railway Compound Ebute Metta,
Lagos.
Mrs. Feyi George, Government House, Akure, Ondo State
Chief (Mrs.) Keji Ckunowo, Managing Director, CBS, 7 Aromire Avenue,
Ikeja
Hajiya Nnadzwa Sakiwa, Galadima Compound, Pategi. Kwara State.
Mrs. Sarah Jibril, 5, Tankpatu Road, Pategi. Kwara State
Mrs. Mary Kanu, The Guardian Newspapers, Isolo
Dr. Bata Musa, MAMSER Directorate, Abuja
Mrs. Lorna George, Corporate Affairs Manager, African Paints Nig. Ltd.,
Oregun
Miss Ifueko Omoigui, Arthur Anderson & Co, 74B Adetokunbo Ademola
Street, Victoria Island, Lagos
Mrs Clara Osinulu, African American Institute 31-33, Martins Street, P. O.
Box 2382, Lagos
Mr. Nyaknno Osso, Newswatch, 62, Oregun Road, Ikeja, Lagos
Mrs. Fati Muazu, Director General, Ministry of Land Survey, Bauchi State
Mrs. Stella Omiyi, FIDA, P. O. Box 3087, Marina Lagos.
Ms. P. Uche Bialonwu UNICEF Zonal Office, 5, Mbaise Street, Off Upper
Chime Avenue, New Haven Enugu.
Mrs. Maud Kardylas, B. 427, Douala, Cameroon.
Ms. Taiwo Adejinle, Nigeria Airways, TBS Complex, Lagos

Mrs. Glory Kilanko, WAEC, P.M.B. 1022 Yaba, Lagos

Mr. Yima Sen, UNDP, 11, Queens Drive, Ikoyi, Lagos
Mr. Mohammed Bulama, Dept. of Political Science, University of Maidugri.
Dr. E. B. Anwanwe, No. 10, Nyong Essien Street, P. O. Box 732, Uyo,
Akwa Ibom State.
Mrs. Adefemi Taire, SMG, Military Governors Office, Lagos State
Chief (Mrs.) Nike Akande, Group Finance Director, Assam Industries Nig.
Ltd., 44, Town Planning Way, Ilupeju, Lagos.
Chief (Mrs.) Toyin Olakunrin, 20, Norman Williams St. S.W. Ikoyi, Lagos
Mrs. Biodun Adewodu, Manager, Obasanjo Farms, P. O. Box 90, Ota.
Dr. Mrs B. F. Iyun Dept. of Geography, University of Ibadan
Hajiya Aisha Abdurahaman, BCCI, Apapa, Lagos
Dr. Babafemi Badejo, Senior Lecturer, Dept. of Political Science, University
of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos
Prof. Ojetunji Aboyade, PAI, Oshuntokun Avenue, Ibadan
Dr. Y.M. Maiangwa, Director, Africa Leadership Forum, P. O. Box, 2286,
Abeokuta.
Mr. Lade Bonuola, Director, The Guardian Newspapers, Rutam House, Isolo
Expressway, Isolo, Lagos.
Mr. Ayodele Aderinwale, Africa Leadership Forum, P. O. Box 2286,
Abeokuta
Dr. Tunji Dare, Guardian Newspapers, Rutam House, Isolo Expressway,
Isolo, Lagos

Mr. Ibi Sofekun, Pinhole Creations, Ikoyi, Lagos

Culture and Development,
General Olusegun Obasanjo, former Head of State of Nigeria
Prof. Saburi Biobaku, P. O. Box 7741, Lagos
Prof. Akin L. Mabogunje, 13, Oba Olagbegi Rd., Bodija, Ibadan
Prof. Ojetunji Aboyade, PAI Associates 25, Osuntokun Avenue, Bodija,
Ibadan
Prof. Oyeleye Oyediran, Dept. of Political Science, University of Lagos
Akoka, Lagos.
Alfred E. Opubor, Multimedia Ltd., 35, Olowu Street, Ikeja
Mr. D.T. Orjiako, Nigerian Media Council, Iganmu, Lagos
Chinelo Achebe, Heinemann Publications Ibadan
Mahdi Adamu, Centre for Trans-Sahara Studies, University of Maiduguri.
Jonathan Ishaku, Editor, Sunday Champion, Champion Newspapers Ltd.,
Lagos.
Dr. Y. M. Maiangwa, Director, Africa Leadership Forum, Ota
Mr. Eluem Emeka Izeze, Editor, Guardian on Sunday, Rutam House Lagos
Frank Aig-Imoukhuede, Federal Department of Culture, National Theatre,
Iganmu, Lagos.
Hajiya Habibat Abubakar, Habilad Enterprises, Kano (NCWS) P. O. Box
2086, Kano
Sule Bello, National Council for Arts & Culture, Iganmu, Lagos
Mrs. Marian L. Yunusa, Federal Government Girls College, Yola

Segun Omolayo, Wemy Industries Ltd., Lagos

Sebastine Ofurum, Yp & Up Agencies, 15 Sobo Siffre Road Mende,
Maryland, P. O. Box 4625, Marina, Lagos
M. A. Johnson, Office of the Dean, Faculty of Arts, University of Lagos.
Muyiwa Bamgbose, Nigeria Junior Chamber, P. O. Box 3304, Ibadan
Ibi Sofekun, President, Nigeria Junior Chamber, P. O. Box 2984, Ikeja
Femi Badejo, University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos
Sina Odugbemi, Grav Bas Inblishments Ltd., P. O. Box 73180, Victoria
Island, Lagos
Sonala Olumhense, c/o Editorial Board, Daily Times, Agidingbi Road, Ikeja
Nyaknno Osso, Newswatch, 62 Oregun Rd., Ikeja, Lagos
Dr. T.M. Salisu, University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos
Mr. Nnimmo Bassey, University of Benin, Benin City
Col. Tunde Akogun, 4A Iru Close, off Queens drive Ikoyi, Lagos
Dr. Festus Iyayi, P. O. Box 8565, Benin City, Bendel State
Ayodele Aderinwale, Africa Leadership Forum, Ota
Rural Development
General Olusegun Obasanjo, former Head of State of Nigeria
Mr. B. W. Juta, former Governor of Gongola State, P. O. Box 1026, Yola
Prof. Oyeleye Oyediran, Department of Political Science, University of
Lagos, Akoka, Lagos

Ibi Sofekun, President, Nigeria Junior Chamber, P. O. Box 2984, Ikeja,

Lagos
Rose Umoren, Business Concord, Concord Press of Nigeria Limited, P. O.
Box 4488, Ikeja, Lagos
Nyaknno Osso, Newswatch, 62, Oregun Road, Ikeja, Lagos
Festus C. Obioha, Department of Animal Science, University of Nigeria,
Nsukka
Seidu Abubakar, General Manager, NTA, Box 1347, Kaduna
Dr. Y. M. Maiangwa, Director, Africa Leadership Forum, Ota
Lekan Are, Lekan Are Farms Ltd., c/o Kakanfo Inn, Ring Road, Box 1783,
Ibadan, Oyo State.
Tom Aire, Department of Veterinary Anatomy, University of Ibadan, Oyo
State.
David Iornem, New Idea Management Consultants, 20 Hudeo Estate,
H/Level, P. O. Box 1449, Makurdi.
Dr. Laraba Abdullahi, Hon. Commissioner of Commerce and Industries and
Tourism, Bauchi.
Dr. G. M. Bili, Medical Practitioner, Gongola State
Dr. M. I. Ahmadu, Hon. Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Ilorin,
Kwara State.
Mr. J. A. Ijabiyi, Pathway Publishers Ltd., Ilupeju, Lagos
Dr. Abubakar Jika, Zonal Director, Peoples Bank of Nigeria, Zonal
Headquarters, No 5 Zoo Road, P. M. B. 3247, Kano, Kano State
Mr. M. A. Fujah, 5th Avenue Oji Close Festac Town, Lagos

Dr Femi Badejo, Department of Political Science, University of Lagos,

Akoka, Lagos.
Mrs. V.V.I. Okoye, P. O. Box 411, Onitsha, Anambra State
Mr. Semiu Babatunde, Grassroots Newspaper, P. O. Box 290, Ota
Mr. Gabriel Oviogbodu, Executive Chairman, Agrovog Limited, P. O. Box
1353, Surulere, Lagos
Mr. Philip Maken, P. O. Box 363, Yola, Gongola State
Mr. A Nwankwo, Secretarys Office, Idemili Local Government Authority,
Ogidi, Anambra State
Dr. (Mrs.) Dia Oyedepo, P. O. Box 1649, Ilorin, Kwara State.
Prof. J. A. Ekpere. Dept. of Agric., Extension Services, University of
Ibadan, Ibadan.
Mr. Ayodele Aderinwale, Africa Leadership Forum, Ota
Management and Development
General Olusegun Obasanjo, Chairman, Africa Leadership Forum, Ota
Dr. M. O. Omolayole, 12/14 Aerodrome Road, Apapa, Lagos
Alhaji Mahmoud Isa Dutse, Gamji Bank, 6, Kano Road, Sokoto
Dr. Ibrahim A Ayagi, Kano State Foundation, Kano
Professor Ibrahim Abdul Salami, Institute of Administration, ABU, Zaria.
Dr. David B. Epeyong, Department of Economics, University of Ibadan.
Oyo State
Dr. Moses Ade Olabode, National Association of Nigerian Nurses &
Midwives, Ikeja, Lagos.

Mr. Ndu Ughamandu, Business Times, c/o Daily Times, Ikeja, Lagos
Mr.Clem Baiye, NAL Merchant Bank, Marina, Lagos
Dr. Keneth C. Orji, 59, Awolowo Road, Ikoyi Lagos
Alhaji Kabir Dangogo, USIS, 2 Broad Street, Lagos.
Engineer (Mrs.) O. T. Adeife, Federal Technical College, Yaba, Lagos
Dr. Uma Eleazu, Infodata Limited, 84, Opebi Road, Ikeja, Lagos
Dr. J.T. Bendega, 17/19 Boyle Street, Onikan, Lagos
Alhaji Mujitaba Abubakar, Afribank Nigeria Limited, Lagos
Mr. Olusegun Adebayo, Executive Editor, Resolute Magazine, 187 Old Ojo
Road, Amuwo Odofin, Lagos
Dr. Udo Udo-Aka, Applied Resources Consortium Limited, 37 Campbell St.
Lagos.
Dr. Ismaila A. Tsiga, English Department, Bayero University, Kano
Mr. Muyiwa Bamgbose, Nigeria Junior Chambers, P. O. Box 3304, Ibadan
Mrs. Aishatu I. Ismaila, Military Governors Office, Kano
Mrs. Adetutu Adeleke, Tate Industries PLC., 47/48 Eric Moore Road,
Iganmu, Lagos
Deacon G. O. Onosode, 44, Adelabu Street, Surulere, Lagos
Mr. Ted Iwere, Business Magazine, 27, Ayinde Giwa Street, Surulere, Lagos
Nyaknno Osso, Newswatch Publications, Oregun, Ikeja, Lagos
Dr. Billy S. Bitiyong, Centre for Management Development, P.M.B. 21578,
Ikeja, Lagos

Chief Arthur C.I. Mbanefo, 149/153 Broad Street, Lagos

Professor Ojetunji Aboyade, 4, Arigidi Street, Bodija, Ibadan
Mallam Jibrilla Muhammed, The Nigerian Economist, Adekunle Fajuyi
Road, G.R.A. Ikeja, Lagos
Dr. Halidu I. Abubakar, Institute of Administration, Ahmadu Bello
University, Zaria
Mallam AbdulKadir Idris, Waff Road, Kaduna
Ayodele Aderinwale, Africa Leadership Forum, Ota
Engr. Teju Oyeleye, President, Nigerian Institute of Management
Technology and Development
General Olusegun Obasanjo, former Head of State of Nigeria and Chairman,
Africa Leadership Forum.
Professor Chimere Ikoku, Office of the Vice-Chancellor, University of
Nigeria, Nsukka.
Professor A. Olu Olorunda, Department of Food Technology, Faculty of
Technology, University of Ibadan, Ibadan
Engineer Aminu Aliyu, Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi
Dr. E.B. Ojeba, NITEL, Lagos
Professor S. Mustapha, Federal Ministry of Water Resources, Abuja
Dr. D. A. Aderibigbe, NSE Ventures Ltd., 1, Engineering Close, Victoria
Island, Lagos
Professor Tayo Fashoyin, Faculty of Business Administration, University of
Lagos, Lagos
Professor C. O. Folayan, Mechanical Engineering Department, ABU, Zaria.
Dr. O. A. Koleoso, Federal Institute of Industrial Research, P.M.B. 21023,
Ikeja

Engineer O. A. Adewolu, Langrad Engineering & Manufacturing Co. Ltd.,

P. O. Box 538, Ikeja, Lagos
Mr. Andy A. Aroloye, Centre for Educational Technology, University of
Lagos, Akoka, Lagos
Mr. Harry C. Okolo, Projects Development Institute, PRODA, Box 609,
Enugu.
Dr. R. Iyagba, Department of Building, University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos.
Dr. E.O. Oboho, Department of Chem./Petrochemical Engineering, Rivers
State University of Science & Technology, Port-Harcourt.
Dr. Y. A Aminu, Department of Mechanical Engineering, ABU, Zaria.
Dr. F.G. Braide, Department of Agricultural Engineering, ABU, Zaria
Professor J. O. Igene, Department of Food, Science and Technology, P.M.B.
1069, Maidugri.
Dr. A.M. Yabani, National Board for Technical Education, P.M.B. 2239,
Kaduna.
Professor I.O.C. Ekejiuba, Department of Industrial Chemistry, Anambra
State University of Technology, P.M.B. 5025, Awka Campus, Awka.
Engineer Mrs. O.T. Adeife, Principal, Federal Technical College, P.M.B.
2012 Yaba.
Professor D.M. Fubara, University of Science & Technology, Port Harcourt
Dr. Oluwole Olatunji, Chief Research Officer, Food Science & Technology,
Oshodi, Lagos
Mr. Ayo Aderinwale, Africa Leadership Forum, Ota
Dr. A.S. Sambo, Usman Dan Fodio University, Sokoto Energy Research
Centre, P.M.B. 2386, Sokoto, Nigeria
Dr. Y. M. Maiangwa, Director, Africa Leadership Forum, Ota

Background Note on the Africa

Leadership Forum
Despite over a quarter of a century of political independence, Africas
aspirations and hopes remain today largely unfulfilled. This has not been,
however, a period of unmitigated failure in the history of the continent.
There have been successes in education, public health, import substitution
industries, and in the continuing process of de-colonization. The problems of
development, peace and security, the health of the world economy, and
improving the environment are interrelated global issues, as they do not
admit of piecemeal solutions.
And yet all countries find that in the absence of true global cooperation, they
have to tackle particular aspects of them. At the national as well as the
regional level in Africa today, the inadequacy of information, data, and
resources further complicates an already daunting problematic state of
affairs.
African leaders have frequently come to leadership positions with limited
experience. Though most of them have often battled on, confronting their
awesome problems of development and nation-building essentially not only
unprepared but unaided, their efforts have been, at best, only a qualified
success.
It is quite clear therefore that Africa cannot afford to continue its journey
with ill-prepared and unassisted leaders. Those on whom the burden of
leadership will fall in future must fully comprehend the nature of their
responsibilities, duties, and obligations. In other words, they must be given
all the necessary exposure and carefully planned preparation to be able to
meet the challenges that they will inevitably face.
This new task is all the more apparent when one considers the level of
preparedness of our leaders of tomorrow who are clearly not bothered by
anything other than the pursuit of their professional careers. They have little
time to devote neither to acquiring a comprehensive knowledge of their own
countries and their region nor of the cultures of their diverse peoples. They
neither have the time to learn about and understand the actions taken by their
present leaders where they do not impinge on their own areas of expertise.

Most young potential leaders have focused primarily on single issues,

lacking time to look at wider, critical regional and world challenges. The
time for comprehensive study and reflection, for sharing experiences with
persons inside, let alone outside their countries, region, and field of
concentration is very limited. Opportunities for such detached discussions
and contemplation are even rarer.
This problem is however not helped by the dearth of private institutions in
Africa that are devoted to preparing potential leaders with that essential
global outlook, which will enable them to cooperate within and across
national, regional, and institutional boundaries. Furthermore, it has become
increasingly difficult, if not impossible, in many African countries to gain
access to relevant and timely information on most national, regional, and
global issues.
Experience in and out of Government and in international forum bears out
this situation, one that must definitely be addressed and remedied. One
solution in this regard is to launch the Africa Leadership Forum, and to
charge it with the task of conducting a series of meetings which may be
national, sub-regional, regional and international in dimension and may vary
in duration. The purpose will be to enhance the knowledge and awareness of
current and young, potential African leaders, placing special emphasis on
diagnosing apparent failures of the past; on understanding multiple
dimensions and complex interrelations of local, national, regional, and
global problems; and on seeking out appropriate solutions.

Objectives
The purpose of the forum is to encourage a thorough diagnosis, broad
understanding, and an informed search for solutions to local, regional and
global problems, taking full account of their interrelationships and mutual
consequences.
To that end, the Forum will develop, organize and support programmes for
the training of young and promising Africans with leadership potential so as
to expose them to the demands, duties and obligations of leadership
positions and to prepare them systematically for assuming higher
responsibilities and meeting the challenges of an interdependent world.
The Forum will also endeavour to generate greater understanding and
enhance the knowledge and awareness of development and social problems,
within a global context, among young, potential leaders from all sectors of
society, cutting across national, regional, continental, professional and
institutional borders. This may foster close and enduring relationship among
participants, relationships promoting life-long association and cooperation.
Furthermore, the Forum will support and encourage the informed search for
appropriate and effective solutions to local and regional African problems
and to global problems from an African perspective within the framework
of global interdependence. This will nevertheless include the consideration
of phased action programmes, which can be initiated by various countries,
sub-regions and institutions in the continent.
In addition, there will be specific weekend seminars organized as FarmHouse Dialogues to be held quarterly.