Infrastructural Development, Poverty Reduction and National Development in Nigeria: An Empirical Exploration

This study examined infrastructural development in Nigeria and its nexus with poverty reduction and national development using a qualitative analysis approach and data gathered from secondary sources. The findings showed that infrastructural development is crucial for poverty reduction and national development. Evidenced by inadequate electricity supply, no provision of portable water to the majority of the citizens, deteriorated paved road network, poorly provided and maintained airports, deplorable health infrastructure, among others, this study established infrastructural deficit in Nigeria with serious adverse consequences on the quality of life and welfare of the people, performance of business firms and the national economy. Many households and business firms were forced into self-provision of infrastructure like electricity supply through the use of small generators and portable water supply by digging wells and drilling of pole holes at a very high cost. Consequently, the cost of production of goods and services increased, which was passed to consumers in the form of high prices, and the profit margins of business firms have drastically reduced, forcing many manufacturing firms to reduce production, while others shut down operations in Nigeria. This resulted in loss of jobs, reduction of income of many people and huge losses to the national economy, which undermines poverty reduction and national development. It was recommended that the government should ensure adequate provision of hard- and soft-core infrastructure, especially electricity supply, portable water and good road networks through various forms of financing, including the PPA model and maintenance culture should be invigorated. The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria should be reviewed to remove the provision of some infrastructure, especially electricity supply, from the exclusive list of the Federal government to encourage and allow all capable state governments to generate, transmit and distribute electricity in their states.