National Ambition

National Ambition: Reconstructing Nigeria, leverages on the example and experience of Nigeria – a sub-Saharan African Country in West Africa – to discuss National Ambition within the context of national social and economic aspirations, and the impact of corruption on governance, development and peace. The book uses credible sources of information from secondary research to offer a reasoned perspective on core issues and contains concrete pragmatic and common-sense proposals and models that Nigeria and other developing countries especially in Africa can adapt to their environment in the short to long term to improve conditions. It addresses issues on Global Justice and the intersections with Sustainable Development Goals – the responsibility of the global community in improving collaboration and cooperation among nations; creating opportunities for local people; reducing inequality and inequity within countries; promoting greater inclusion and interconnection among diverse peoples; and investing in people to strengthen communities and individuals to fully unleashed human potential for a much better world. The book is compelling with positive, progressive and positive-sum messages. It has been written in a way that is simple to read and easy to understand for a wider audience.

Sadly, many people become rich by creating problems. It should be the other way round, solving problems. Grand corruption resulting in ‘state capture’ increases the vulnerability of citizens and inflicts the most pain on the population. Corruption is the single most important threat to Domestic Policies in Nigeria. It distorts the evidence base and misinforms legislations, policies, regulations, programmes, projects and the activities that drive them. It compromises the impact of social interventions; confusing markets; and business environment. It weakens social, economic, political and environmental systems and leaves Nigerians and Nigeria weak. Corruption is the Master Problem, fuelled by excessive greed, patronage and loyalty networks operating at the expense of national interest.

This book proposes the Triple Lock against corruption, contributing new perspectives to addressing fundamental structural deficits that provide the incentives, motivations and opportunities to express corrupt behaviour. Nigeria requires a systematic, holistic and integrated approach to radically reduce the corruption burden that drags Nigeria back. With a large population of young people and huge natural capital, Nigeria potentially has unique assets and opportunities to build a fairer and more progressive country and to tap into the hardwork, ingenuity and resilience of its diverse population. But Nigeria will have to work differently to realise THE FULL POTENTIAL for which it is capable.

Working differently would mean unlocking value chains currently locked-in in all the sectors of the Nigerian economy, to improve quality and drive demand and supply of locally made goods and services; promoting enterprise; creating decent jobs; pursuing progressive taxation policies; and building a self-sustaining country that can pay its way and voice its own worldview.  The possibilities are enormous, but first, Nigeria needs a smarter government and governance intelligence that knows every Nigerian to invest in them as most important assets; drive efficiency and innovation; operating transparent and accountable systems; joining up government and reducing silo-vertical working that promotes opacities; removing bottlenecks that stifle creativity and ideas to markets; reducing inequalities and inequities; ensuring social justice and solidarity; and enabling the best of Nigeria to emerge and to altogether, thrive. This is the big challenge right now, to define the future!