Structural and Leadership Insights for National Sustainable Development

The book is covered in seven chapters. The first chapter provides a critical imperative for sustainable development in the underdeveloped countries especially Nigeria and Africa. A review of how Nigeria got to the present situation is also outlined. Chapter two covers the Nigerian structural challenge using maps and tables. The structural trend and evolution of Nigeria's major federal governance units starting from the pre-amalgamation of 3 Protectorates to the 1960 structure of 3 Regions is covered. The transition from the post-independence 4 Regions to the 1967 Structure of 12 States and the military structural experimentations to the present 36 States in Nigeria is illustrated with tables. In chapter three, the Nigerian leadership challenge is explored beginning with an overview of the Nigerian leadership layers from the colonial era, the premilitary indigenous era, the military era to the present civilian era. The implication of the emerging global transformational leadership realities is also covered. Chapter four covers the Nigerian development challenge starting with the subsistent development of the precolonial indigenous people. Also reviewed are the exploitative development activities of the colonizers along with the indigenous development for the masses by the indigenous regional leaders under the early days of independence. The man-know-man kind of military development for the individuals and the "accountability deficient" civilian development are also covered. Chapter five introduces the importance of Comprehensive Sustainable Development Planning (CSDP) as both the ideal and realistic primary objective of a progressive government. As a participative process CSDP concepts (plan, develop, sustain, and comprehensive) are articulated along with the key principles such as simultaneous planning and implementation; the synergy between local and global; and the engagement of proponent, neutral, along with opposing stakeholders. Chapter six presents the proposed way forward to achieve and exceed the 17 SDGs perpetually towards EGSD through operational citizenship driven CSDPI praxis. The importance of an enabling legislation to support CSDPI praxis at all levels and units of governance. Another requirement discussed is the involvement of ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) of government at all levels to ensure ownership and timely mainstreaming. Also discussed are the systems enhancements needed for transparency and accountability as a key requirement for effective CSDPI. Finally, we posit true federalism, the two-party system, and smartphone democracy as three emergent pillars for effective CSDPI praxis. Concluding in chapter seven, emphasis is placed on governance for timely equitable national sustainable development goals for SDGs accomplishment at subnational levels based on stable structures and transformational leadership. First, a pathway toward a more stable structure is outlined. Second, the imperative for the emergence of transformational leadership is restated. Third, advocacy is made for operational citizenship driven equitable CSDPI praxis. The 10-Point Public Policy Agenda for transforming underdeveloped countries towards the UN's people, planet, peace, progress and partnership (5Ps) consciousness, SDGs accomplishments, Environmental, social and governance (ESG) impact investments and Equitable Global Sustainable Development (EGSD) is presented. Resource sharing, Reduction of consumption, Recycling of material, Reusing of assets, Restoring treasures, and Replenishing the ecosystem (6Rs) are critical behavioral imperatives for such transformation the book concludes.