Why Nigeria Remains Unprogressive as a Nation
Despite its abundant natural and human capital, Africa’s most populous country and largest economy continues to experience persistent underdevelopment. This systematic literature review investigates the complex factors contributing to Nigeria’s unprogressive trajectory six and a half decades after gaining independence. Through comprehensive examination of peer-reviewed articles, policy documents, and scholarly discourse, the study delineates four interconnected thematic dimensions: foundational structural deficiencies originating from the 1914 amalgamation and subsequent constitutional alterations; deeply entrenched elite appropriation and corruption as catalysts of governance dysfunction; institutional fragility manifested through policy discontinuity and state incapacity; and the deleterious influence of ethnic identity politics in eroding national cohesion. Synthesising evidence from 37 eligible studies, the review demonstrates how these elements operate synergistically to sustain a cycle of developmental inertia. The evidence indicates that Nigeria’s unprogressive condition derives not from resource insufficiency but from a fundamental incongruence between political architecture, governance modalities, and national value systems. The study concludes that substantive advancement necessitates comprehensive political reconfiguration, institutional reforms emphasising accountability, and recalibration of national priorities toward foundational development. Recommendations encompass constitutional revision to rectify structural inequities, reinforcement of accountability mechanisms, and investment in civic education to cultivate a shared national identity.
Keywords: Nigeria, underdevelopment, governance crisis, corruption, political restructuring, institutional reform, elite capture, ethnicity.
