DEVELOPMENT PLANNING IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES: THE MISSING LINK IN THE NIGERIAN EXPERIENCE

Akims, K.A. and Kromtit, M.J.
Department of Economics
University of Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria
E-mail: akimskb@yahoo.com, kromtitm@unijos.edu.ng

Abstract:

Despite the prolonged history of development planning in developing countries, economic outcomes emanating from various plans over the years have not been quite impressive. This forms the main motivation for this study which attempts to unveil the
missing link in the Nigerian experience. Careful development planning could help improve the economy by mobilizing the funds required for financing development, closing the
infrastructure gap, smoothing the path to industrialization and reducing unemployment and poverty in the country. By using deductive reasoning and descriptive method of analyzing
secondary literature, the study reveals that development planning in Nigeria could not achieve tremendous results due to weak institutions, inconsistencies in planning strategies,
inadequate reliable statistics and corruption in governance, lack of commitment to plan implementation, lack of effective control over private sector planning and the failure to
appraise and avoid the pitfalls of past development plans by the government. The studyrecommends mainly the improvement of institutions that would provide supportive role to
planning, a sincere fight against corruption and ensuring consistency in planning strategy, plan appraisal and monitoring. This would enable development planning to deliver the
expected development outcomes in the country.