Research Document: Critical Sector Reforms in the Last Mile

Posted Wed, May 25, 2022 6:16 PM

Amidst 3.4 average percent economic growth in 2021, Nigeria faces a myriad of socio-economic challenges including high inflation, rising poverty head-count, high unemployment rate, insecurity, among others. These challenges are inextricably linked to skewed growth performance in favour of a few sectors which do not have the capacity to create jobs with decent incomes. In contrast, growth in sectors that are major drivers of inclusive economic growth and job creation is generally weak and benign when the pre-2016 recession period is considered.

To generate significant improvement in economic outcomes, critical reforms are necessary for these sectors. In this report, we highlight crucial reforms in 5 key sectors of the economy including Agriculture, Manufacturing, Health, Education, and Trade. By undertaking and strengthening these reforms in the short run, the government can significantly enhance the performance of these sectors and place the economy on the path to improved socio-economic outcomes.