All truths are easy to understand once we discover them. The problem is how to discover them’ (Galileo). ‘No one can see beyond the choices they do not understand’. (Oracle in Matrix).
The pursuit of meaningful development continues to occupy centre stage in African discourse, with Nigeria exemplifying both the challenges and possibilities that lie within our continent. While many African nations have faced significant socio-economic and political difficulties in the decades following independence, a more nuanced understanding of these challenges reveals that sustainable development requires more than just economic or technological interventions; it demands a foundation built on strong humanistic values.
Development challenges across Africa, particularly in Nigeria, have traditionally been approached through political reforms, economic policies, and technological advancements. Despite numerous initiatives and considerable resources, the results have often fallen short of expectations. Economic growth has not consistently translated to improved living conditions for many citizens, while technological progress has not automatically yielded more inclusive societies.
This persistent gap between potential and performance compels us to reconsider our fundamental approach to development. The missing element in our development equation is a coherent value system that binds society together and provides the moral foundation for collective progress. Values are not merely abstract concepts; they represent the guiding principles that shape human interactions, institutional frameworks, and national identity.
Values function as the bedrock of societies and the currency of human transactions. They serve as converging points of diversity, facilitating social cohesion and expressions of citizenship. Values permeate everything from political philosophies to organisational ethics, educational systems to legal frameworks, and civic engagement to governance models.
Nigeria’s development challenges can be reconceptualised through a value-based lens. With its abundant human capital, natural resources, and entrepreneurial spirit, Nigeria possesses immense potential. However, the translation of these assets into sustainable development requires a value framework that promotes integrity, accountability, and service orientation.
The current development paradigm has often neglected the role of humanistic disciplines, indigenous knowledge systems, and cultural frameworks. This oversight has led to planning tools and development strategies that are sometimes incongruent with Nigeria’s sociocultural realities. The prevailing assumption that capital investment and technological infrastructure alone can transform Nigeria fails to recognise the central role of values in shaping institutions and behaviours.
This value deficiency manifests in three significant ways: First, development frameworks often lack humanistic interfaces that could adapt them to local realities. Second, inadequate value management systems have undermined national cohesion and collective purpose. Third, the absence of a coherent national narrative has created space for divisive identity politics.
Several African nations demonstrate how value-based approaches can drive development. Botswana, Rwanda, and Seychelles have established sound governance foundations through strong political will, commitment, and societal consensus. Botswana developed policy frameworks to manage its mining resources prudently, while Rwanda rebuilt itself by adopting advanced institutional models grounded in shared values.
Mauritius transformed from a sugarcane-based, low-income economy to an upper-middle-income country by diversifying its economy while maintaining democratic principles. Ranked first among African nations in the 2021 Ibrahim Index of African Governance, Mauritius shows how values of accountability, foresight, and inclusive development can create sustainable prosperity.
In Nigeria, promising initiatives like the Community and Social Development Project (CSDP) demonstrate how community-led approaches underpinned by values of participation and ownership can deliver tangible improvements in social services and infrastructure. Similarly, the Economic Recovery and Growth Programme (ERGP) and Anchor Borrowers’ Programme have shown positive results in agricultural value chains, particularly for rice and cassava production, by fostering partnerships between stakeholders.
For Nigeria to realise its potential, a deliberate integration of values into the development framework is essential. This requires identifying and managing value spaces, collating value streams, and aggregating national values into a coherent ideology that can guide national vision.
The National Development Plan 2021-2025 provides a foundation for this approach, emphasising the integration of diverse sectors and stakeholders in development planning. The plan’s objectives – establishing a strong foundation for a diverse economy, investing in critical infrastructure, building frameworks for security and governance, and enabling a vibrant, educated populace – align with a value-based approach to development.
Governance should be reconceptualised as a value engineering process – a value-adding enterprise where leadership serves as stewardship of collective welfare rather than mere administration. This perspective transforms the relationship between government and citizens into a value exchange that promotes accountability, continuous improvement, and service excellence.
The African Union’s Agenda 2063 further reinforces this approach, articulating aspirations for “an Africa of good governance, democracy, respect for human rights, justice, and the rule of law” and “an Africa with a strong cultural identity, common heritage, shared values, and ethics.”
By effectively managing value systems – eliminating value gaps, directing value flows, and institutionalising value-based governance – Nigeria can achieve sustainable development that reflects its unique identity while meeting universal human needs. Nations that creatively manage their value systems ultimately realise better returns on all factors of development.
Prof. Francis Egbokhare: He has been a full professor of Linguistics at the University of Ibadan since 1999. A versatile scholar who has distinguished himself in many fields and endeavours, locally and internationally. Former President of the Nigerian Academy of Letters and President, Open Distance and e-Learning Association of Nigeria.
