Attaining a Higher National Growth Trajectory Via Sustainable Civil Infrastructure: Case Nigeria

This two part paper examines the symbiotic link between public infrastructure and growth and advances a view in favour of a systemic infrastructure development model for Nigeria based upon the latent potential of the nation’s infrastructure as a critical success factor in attaining a higher socio economic growth trajectory for the country. Using examples of certain development role models, It argues in favour of a staged development plan starting with the current v2020 – with infrastructure development having primacy - that will see government playing a central role in its first trimester witnessing a heavy investment of the proceeds of the nation’s natural advantage (crude revenue) in her infrastructure growth and allowing the private sector to gradually take over and build upon this in subsequent plans.

The second part of the paper will examine the cost of infrastructure shortages and mismanagement upon the nation’s real sector and identifies corruption as a major issue militating against the development of the required national infrastructure quota. The paper directly recommends a model that will reduce the influence of corruption and politicisation on the nation’s contract procedures.