An Exploratory Assessment of Nigeria’s Performance in Millennium Development Goals (MDGs): Towards a Better Performance of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Abstract Background: In September 2015, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were rolled out, following poor outcomes of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), especially in Africa and many low and middleincome countries (LMICs). With the SDGs in place for another 15 years, it is worthwhile to critically review the performances of the MDGs in many African countries, identify gaps and improve appropriately on the relevant SDGs. This study aimed to undertake an in-depth review of the MDGs in Nigeria as well as provide recommendations towards achieving the SDGs. Methods: An expo-facto descriptive analysis of secondary data: The Millennium Development Goals Performance Tracking Survey Report (MDGPTSR, 2012-2015) by National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and United Nations Millennium Development Goals Report (UNMDGR, 2015) which were the main sources of data for this study was adopted. A search of Google Scholar and relevant organizations’ websites was conducted to identify other published and unpublished literature. A descriptive analysis, detailed synthesis and content analysis of findings were presented. Results: Findings revealed Nigeria and many African countries generally performed poorly on MDGs 2, 3, and 7. Improved performances were recorded on other MDGs, with this mainly limited to post-2010 period. Conclusion: This study suggests major pitfalls in the MDGs may have been due to poor government support and political will at implementation phase. It is important that gaps and lessons are appraised, and this improved on over the next 15 years of the SDGs in these countries. Keywords: Millennium Development Goals, Sustainable Development Goals, in-depth, descriptive, Nigeria, Africa

HEALTH IMPLICATION OF CHILD MARRIAGE IN NORTH-EAST NIGERIA

Marriage at its right time and with the right and self-selected person is one of the best things that can happen to a man. Unfortunately, as glamorous such a day of espousal would have been, child marriage has made it sour for child brides as most of them are forced into it, particularly in their mid-teens; thereby aborting beautiful and achievable life goals and future ambitions. This paper examines the factors inducing child marriage in the most endemic location in the country North-Eastern Nigeria and the health implications on victims. Primary data i.e. questionnaire andsecondary data from Nigerian Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS, 2008) were used. A Focus Group Discussion (FGD) was also held with a group of child wives, all of who are less than 18 years. Results show that povertyand limited educational attainment are the two main cause of child marriage in the study resulting to different health problems. Recommendations were made to curb this infamous practice in Northeastern Nigeria as is a globally acceptable fact that delaying marriage until a lady is physically and physiologically mature improves her health

COMBATING INFANT MORTALITY IN IBADAN NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, SOUTHWEST, NIGERIA: NEED FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Improve sanitation and health delivery has become an important issue because of it significant implication of quality of life in the society. This paper examines the effect of poor sanitation on infant mortality and effort of both government and individual at combating the menace. Demographic records of the Ibadan North LGA from 2006 to 2010 and perceptions of the people were obtained from Focused Group Discussions, with mothers of between 15 and 49 years at 6 purposively selected residential areas. Analysis of the demographic records shows that the study area, whose average total population was 306,795 as at 2006 national census recorded about 1431 infant deaths. The study indicates that poor sanitation attitude of the residents of the LGA were the reason of high infant mortality. The study therefore concludes that infant mortality can be reduced to the barest minimum if good sanitation is mandated for each household by the relevant local authorities

An Assessment of the State of Environmental Management in Nigerian Capital Cities

It has been observed that daily interaction of millions of Nigerian population estimated at 186.5 million by Population Reference Bureau (PRB) with their immediate environment have serious implications on the landscape, environmental aesthetics and atmospheric well-being. Urban decadence, proliferation of slums, deforestation, congestion and all forms of pollution are some of the resultant effects of man’s interaction with his environment which results in adverse effects on Nigeria major cities. Increased industrial activities have engendered more carbon emission in the country, which it is estimated at 26.1 million tons per annum, the fourth highest in Africa. This paper examines the state of environmental management in the state capital cities of Nigeria in the light of five research-proven indicators of environment-friendly cities. The paper applies qualitative method using the indicators to examine which state capital is really environment-friendly out of the thirty seven (37) in Nigeria, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. Results show that only five (5) state capitals out of the thirty seven (37) in Nigeria can be referred to as being environmentfriendly. The study outlines notable recommendations capable of stimulating the attention and enhancing the efforts of less environment sensitive cities in adopting global best practices

Spatio-Temporal Factors and Dynamics of Population Growth in Ondo State Nigeria (1970-2010)

Everyone is aware of space and place, of change over time and since everything exists in space and time, population is not an exception. This paper examines the influences of time on population growth and space. The study adopts both descriptive and quantitative statics and relied on secondary data source as a major means of data collection. The findings reveal that there is positive relationship between population growth and time and population density varies from area to area within the state. The practical implication of this study is that it provides an answer to whether population varies over time and space. Over the years Ondo state has witnessed increase in population. The implication of this increase in population in relation to space is overpopulation resulting to congestion in areas that are densely populated

AN EVALUATION OF FINANCING CHALLENGES OF INFORMAL ENTREPRENEURS IN SOUTHWEST, NIGERIA

Meeting the requirements for accessing fund for entrepreneurial venture within the informal sector remains the major discouraging factor. This paper evaluated the financing challenges confronting informal entrepreneurs in Southwest, Nigeria. Survey method was used to collect data from 182 informal entrepreneurs’ in Southwest, Nigeria and analysed with simple frequency percentage and chi- square. Findings revealed the following: poor financing constitute a major challenge to informal entrepreneurs in South-Western States of Nigeria with X2T = 5.99 <X2 c = 67.35 informal entrepreneurs have adequate knowledge of sources of finance with X2r - -5.99 <

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS AFFECTING INFANT MORTALITY IN IBADAN NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF NIGERIA

The Local government area (LGA) in Nigeria is the third level of governance and closest to the rural and mostly poor population, with relatively higher records of infant mortality than the urban population. objective of this study is to examine the effect of living and environmental condition on infant mortality in a typical LGA Nigeria, as a case study of the Ibadan North LGA from 2006 to 2010 and perceptions of the people were obtained from Focused Group Discussions (FGDs) with mothers of between 15 and 49 years at 6 purposively selected residential areas. Analysis of the demographic records shows that the local government, whose average total population was 306,795 as at 1431 infant deaths. The number of infant deat variance based on differences in certain housing/environmental characteristics of selected districts, especially sanitation and waste management concerns (r <0.05). The study indicates that inadequate toilet facilities and poor was were the bane of high infant mortality there. The that infant mortality can be reduced to the barest minimum if good toilet facilities are mandated for each household by the rele and good waste management approach is adopte

A Qualitative Assessment of the Effects of Child Marriage on Female Education and Entrepreneurship in Northeastern Nigeria

Marriage at its right time and with the right person is one of the best things that can happen to a man. No religion, race or colour is against this globally. Unfortunately, as glamorous such a day of espousal should have been, child marriage has made it sour for child brides as most of them are forced into it in their mid-teens; thereby aborting beautiful and achievable life goals and future ambitions. This paper examines the factors inducing child marriage in Northeastern Nigeria, the effects and how these affect women’s educational attainment and entrepreneurial skills. Secondary data from Nigerian Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS, 2008) and other published data were used. Results show that avoidable poverty-a cause and an effect, limited educational attainment and powerlessness of women are the three main effects of child marriage in Northeastern Nigeria which seriously affect women entrepreneurial skills and all-round development in that region. We conclude therefore that more purposeful preventive interventions are seriously and urgently needed. In achieving this, we recommend compulsory education for all girl child of northern origin, economic empowerment for teenage girls and child brides and promote community leaders participation in the advocac

SOCIO-ECONOMIC AND HEALTH IMPLICATIONS OF URBAN RENEWAL ON INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS IN OGUN STATE, SOUTHWESTERN NIGERIA

Urban renewal has always been undertaken to clean up and beautify a city in accordance with a prescribed new layout plan. Many unintended consequences, especially forceful evictions and internal displacement of persons however, usually accompany such exercises. This paper aims to examine the socio-economic and health implications of urban renewal for residents of Ogun State, Southwestern Nigeria. In the last five years, massive urban renewal programs have been implemented in five local government areas (LGAs) in the State: Abeokuta North, Ado/Odo Ota, Sagamu, Yewa South and Ijebu Ode from which two (Abeokuta North and Ado-Odo/Ota) were purposively selected for this study. Primary data was obtained through administration of questionnaires to 380 randomly selected affected adults with demolished houses or shops, and analysed using logistic regression. The results indicated that urban renewal had a significant negative impact on the occupation (odds ratio = 3.0; p < 0.01) and income (p < 0.01) of affected persons. Urban renewal had also significantly affected the health status of respondents because those whose houses or shops were demolished were 12 times more likely to suffer depression from loss of sleep (odds ratio= 12.08; p<0.01), loss of appetite (p<0.01) and feelings of hopelessness (p<0.01). It is therefore recommended that urban renewal in Nigeria should be more holistic (cater for the needs of people who are likely to be affected and get them involved from start to finish before demolition) to avoid these associated side effects

Determinants of Flooding and Strategies for Mitigation: Two-Year Case Study of Benin City

Recent flood disasters in Benin City, Nigeria have claimed a number of lives, damaged property, and threatened the overall livelihood of residents. The economic burden of such events has forced a vast reallocation of monetary resources for clean-up and recovery, as well as forcibly altered and suspended internal trade via devastated transportation routes. Secondary trends include inflation and migration concerns. As a result, the aim has been to prioritize mitigation by examining easily read, rapidly accessible flood hazard maps, as well as assess and identify areas within the city prone to flooding. We used a number of data sources and conducted a questionnaire surveying three of the local government areas of Benin City over a two-year period. Findings indicate excessive unsustainable land use and land cover change and a flat and high water table area with close proximity to the Atlantic Ocean make the city susceptible to flood risk. Heavy rainfall and drainage system blockage are leading causes of flooding which have destroyed property and houses—two major side effects. A number of mitigation and disaster risk reduction measures were, hereafter, recommended to reduce flooding occurrence in Benin City or lessen its effects on inhabitants