The Role of International Cooperation in Sustainable Development in Nigeria: An Overview
Obinna Nick Adiele
Faculty of Economics, International Marketing, Peoples Friendship University of Russia, Moscow, Russia.
Ejiroghene Pamela Pepper
Faculty of Economics, International Marketing, Peoples Friendship University of Russia, Moscow, Russia.
Samuel Adejare Animashaun
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Peoples Friendship University of Russia, Moscow, Russia.
Olawale Victor Moses
Faculty of Engineering, Peoples Friendship University of Russia, Moscow, Russia.
Abigail Happy Aiwekhoe
University of Benin, Benin City, Ugbowo Campus, Edo State, Nigeria.
Irene Onoshioze Aliyu
University of Benin, Benin City, Ugbowo Campus, Edo State, Nigeria.
Johnmartins Ugochukwu Agu
University of Benin, Benin City, Ugbowo Campus, Edo State, Nigeria.
Mirabel Nneoma Nnaji
University of Benin, Benin City, Ugbowo Campus, Edo State, Nigeria.
Precious Igeleke *
Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State, Nigeria.
Elohor Agbah
Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State, Nigeria.
Ogorchukwu Glory Israel
Port Harcourt Polytechnic, Port Harcourt, River State, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Sustainable development in Nigeria, Africa's most populous country, is an urgent priority due to the interplay of rapid urbanization, environmental degradation, and socio-economic challenges. Nigeria has adopted global frameworks such as the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and various partnerships, including those with the African Union (AU), the Organization of African Unity (OAU), the World Bank, and the World Health Organization (WHO), to address these concerns. International cooperation has played a pivotal role in Nigeria’s development by facilitating technical expertise and financial support across critical sectors like agriculture, health, energy, and environmental management. This paper employs the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and Results-Based Management (RBM) to analyze how such collaboration has driven progress and highlights the challenges Nigeria faces in achieving sustainable development, including governance issues, over-exploitation of natural resources, and poverty. While international partnerships have catalyzed efforts toward Nigeria’s development goals, significant gaps remain that require attention, such as corruption, environmental degradation, and inadequate infrastructure.
Keywords: International cooperation, governance issues, Nigeria, sustainable development goals