Local Government and the Attainment of Sustainable Development Goals in Nigeria: Insights from the Millennium Development Goals

Abstract

Given its close proximity to the grassroots and its capacity for timely and effective service delivery, local government is considered a veritable weapon in the implementation of any program aimed at alleviating poverty. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are groups of 17 international targets established by the UN to eradicate poverty and provide global security by 2030. The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which likewise sought to alleviate the widespread poverty wreaking havoc on the African Continent, were followed by the global agenda. In order to identify the inherent flaws in their execution that must be avoided if SDGs are to have an impact, this article examines the MDGs alongside SDGs. Hence, this paper is subjected to content analysis. Documentary data from secondary sources on the activities of the MDGs and SDGs, including U.N. working papers and other pertinent materials or sources were considered as veritable source of data evaluation. A global evaluation of the MDGs shows differing levels of achievement. Nigeria's MDG scorecard, in particular, shows extremely poor achievement. Two of the eight targeted goals which includes better maternal health and global partnership-were achieved by the nation. However, significant progress remains to be made toward the major goals of reducing poverty, promoting education, and ensuring environmental sustainability, all of which directly affect the lives of the people. This study found out that local government did not actively participate in the MDG implementation, which was a critical gap. Towards this end, this study suggests amongst others that partnerships with local government and more engagement are essential for the SDGs to have the desired effect.