Hypothetical Evaluations of Nigerian Societal Negatives in the Context of the Sustainable Development Goals

Abstract

Abstract This paper is a critical appraisal of the current social ills in Nigeria within the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). This is with a view to ascertaining the plausibility of the SDG objectives in Nigeria and the 2030 terminal year for the implementation of the goals across the globe. The SDG goals are unattainable in Nigeria because the current social vices in the country have counterproductive implications against the SDG principles. These vices includetheinsurrectionwhichintheNigeriancontext isinimical toGoal1:No Poverty,Goal2:NoHunger,andGoal16onpeace.Thereis thefatalviolence perpetratedbythebanditswhichviolatesGoal15:LifeonLand.Thisissimilarto thesecessionistagitationinNigeria’ssouthwhichharmsGoal16. Inthesame vein, there is the herders-farmers conflict, and this threatens peace-objective in SDG Goal 16 as such also brings about poverty and hunger thereby wiping out the significance of SDG Goal 1 and SDG Goal 2, respectively. Additionally, nefarious crime of offering Nigerian women for money-making ritual and cultic sacrifice runs counter to the spirit of SDG Goal 5: Gender Equality. The paper concludes that the Nigerian social system is not conducive to the implementation of the SDG goals in the country as it is replete with vile practices and belief system. The 2030 implementation target should be extended in order to rectify the Nigeria’s setback arising from the social vices. The United Nations should render technical assistance to Nigeria on SDG implementation and security especially on reorientation and civilizing education. The government should ensure good governance through institutionalization of strong institution and an independent judicial system. The government should also deemphasize avarice in governance in order to ensure even distribution of wealth. This will calm nerves and tame insurrections and secession. The civilizing education has the capacity of letting men know that women are not objects to be utilized for their own purposes. SDG · Social ills · Secessionist agitation · Gend er equality · Nigerian women