Evaluating Nigeria’s Achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs):

illennium Development Goals (MDGs) was implemented in 2000 ostensibly to accelerate development within its 15 years plan of action. In the credence of this notion, Nigeria was one of the early countries that adopted the rational policy. Prior to the introduction of MDG, the country had implemented diverse developmental policies which are said not to have delivered the expected dividend. Hence, no sooner, the MDGs came to an end; the impulse of another developmental goal became necessary. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) succeeding MDGs reiterates questions such as, how well did MDGs perform in developing countries? Where the aims of the MDGs met? If MDGs struggle to achieve 8 goals, how possible will SDGs 17 goals be realized? It is in this light, that the study using secondary data evaluate the MDG era in Nigeria, how far and how well they achieved their set target. The study suggests that although MDGs era in Nigeria recorded slight progress with regards to targeted goals, it did not meet the required plausible targets. Hence, as a very effective way of achieving sustainable development, the study recommends good governance and prioritizing of goals according to the country needs.


Introduction
Development has become a haphazard phenomenon in the world, most especially in the 21st century.This impetus can be aligned to problems such as poverty, climate change, food security, corruption, unemployment and lopsided incomes which continue to be on the increase.Hence, states have been addressing its course in accordance to the sociopolitical and economical challenge prevalent in their varying societies; international organizations also have not disregarded the upbeat impact of development.
International organizations like the United Nations have long recognized the key role of development since 1960 when "development" became its central theme (Jackson, 2007;Hong, 2015:4).Although, the most important urge during the era was to reduce hunger prevalent among countries especially in Africa, parts of Asia and Caribbean.Over time, the UN has gone beyond addressing the issues of hunger; to intervention programmes so as to eliminate illiteracy, hunger and diseases.Albeit, with little successes.
In light of this, and in recognition of the status of developing countries, the World Bank, IMF and Western Countries advocated Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) in the 1980s as a response to African economic crisis of the 1970s (Jackson, ibid;Heidhues and Obare, 2011: 57-59;Hong, ibid).However, SAP which was intended to address Africa's key economic problems by laying emphasis on privatization and free market development did not achieve the desired goals Consequently, the United Nations development agenda in the 1990s broadened to focus more on social and human development dimensions through numerous global summits, conferences, declarations and strategies such as Copenhagen Declaration; 1995 World Summit for Social Development; The Fourth World Conference on Women, amongst others.Despite this momentum in enhancing development, new challenges such as conflicts in African countries, democratic changes in Europe and slow economy emerged to thwart this effort (Jackson, 2007).
Nevertheless, in September 2000, many of these goals were incorporated into the resolutions of the United Nations Millennium Summit in New York and endorsed by 189 member states to be known as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
The MDGs which comprises eight major goals and 18 targets were time bound till 2015 to halve developmental issues in comparison with the 1990 figures.Essentially, these goals seek to address key areas of development such as: poverty, education, health care, environmental sustainability and international cooperation.Compared to the other region Evaluating Nigeria's Achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MGDs) 659 in the world, African and developing countries takes into cognizance the great opportunity MDGs have in promoting development through human welfare in the world (ADB, 2002; UNECA, 2016).However, with the wind-up of MDGs, the world still seems to have problems with development and poverty eradication especially amongst the developing countries (Sahn and Stifel, 2003:23-28;Aleyomi, 2013: 4-9;MDG Report, 2015).These categories of country also encompass Nigeria.

Background
The issue of underdevelopment in Nigeria is a paradox considering its poor state in comparison with the vast natural and human resources that exists in the country (Oshewolo, 2010:264).The richly endowed country which was one of the wealthiest 50 countries in the world in the 1970s has retrogressed in trading shoulders with the poorest countries in the twenty first century (Ugoh and Ukpere, 2009:849;Oshewolo, 2010: 267;Ngara, 2014:49).An apt example is to compare Nigeria with countries such as Malaysia, China and Indonesia.It could be recalled that all this countries which were in the same class with Nigeria has outgrown Nigeria in growth and development.For instance, Malaysia got their first palm seedling from Nigeria in the early 1960s when palm oil was already a thriving trade good in the country (Chukwuemeka, 2009:406).However, in 1990s, Malaysia's export of palm oil produce attained much financial gain than that of Nigeria earnings from oil exports (Eshalomi and Ayodele, 2010;6-8;Okezie and Baharuddin, 2011:369).Likewise, China, which was seen as a nonaligned developing country in conjunction with Nigeria, is one of the world's largest exporters of manufactured goods (Utomi, 2008:39).This development is attributed to Deng Xiaoping's reform policies of the 1970s and the 1980s such as creation of a diversified economy, fiscal decentralization and collectivized agriculture.Indonesia another of Nigeria's contemporary in GDP size, is an agrarian and religious society, which also experienced oil boom in the 1970s, has seen its GDP sizes grow considerably.Both countries took different policy choices, while Indonesia policy led to 40% increase in total export, Nigeria's export is less than 1% the same as in the 1970s (Chukwuemeka, ibid).
Regardless of these developmental programmes, development expected is yet to take place (Anger, 2010;Oshelowo, 2011;Banwo and Oluranti, 2013;Adejumo and Adejumo, 2014).Instead, poverty, unemployment, child mortality, corruption and lopsided income have been on the increase.Poverty profile in Nigeria shows that poverty level in the country had been on the rise.In 1980, the poverty level moved from 28.1% to 46.3% in 1985; although it declined to 42.7% in 1992, it increased to 65.2% in 1996 and 69.2% in 1997.In 2004, Nigeria's relative poverty rate stood at 54.4% and perked to 69% in 2010, while the absolute poverty rate stood at 54.7% and increased to 60.9% in 2010 ( Chukwuemeka, 2009: 405;NBS, 2010, Igbuzor, 2013).
In view of all these enumerated challenges and the determination in promoting sustainable development, Nigeria like other United Nation member countries embraced the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
The MDGs comprises of eight different goals to be halved by 2015 in comparison to 1990.They include: eradicating extreme poverty and hunger; achievement of universal primary education, promotion of gender equality and women empowerment; reduction of child mortality; improvement in maternal health; combating HIV/AIDs, Malaria and other diseases; ensure environmental sustainability and developing global partnership for development (United Nations Millennium Project, 2006).Scholars (Edoh, 2003;Mahammad, 2006;Lawal and Rotimi, 2012:74) are of the opinion that the accomplishment of the MDGs will bring about a difference in the living standard of the people in the society.Hence, this paper attempts to evaluate the successes and challenges witnessed during the Nigerian MDGs era using UN stipulated target and steered up deliverables in the new adopted SDGs.However, it is imperative for the study to provide clarity to some concepts as they are used in this study.

Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)
The focal point of Government in any society is to spearhead development in the social, cultural, economic and political level.In ensuring this, physical necessities and basic rights such as shelter, food, clothing, equality, employment and freedom must be made accessible to the citizenry.It is on this premise, that the UN hosted 189 heads of states to a millennium summit in addressing inimical challenges to development.
However, the implementation of this time bound developmental goals received mixed feelings as to its actualization, especially with regards to Africa (Haines and Cassels, 2004:394-395;Igbuzr, 2006:4;Aleyomi, 2013:1-3;Dada and Owolabi, 2013;Haya and Nkondo, 2016:176).On the contrary, to the tail end of 2015, Ban-Ki-Moon reported that the contrary, has yielded astonishing results all over the world in areas such as : poverty, child mortality, maternal mortality amongst others (End Poverty, 2015;Jones, 2015;UN, 2015).Likewise, Nigeria has recorded slight progress in the actualization of the goals, while remarkable progress is made in certain areas, some are met halfway.As elaborated in the later part of this paper, there is still much to be desired in this area in Nigeria context.

Synthesis of the Millennium Development Goals: Global View
After World War II, countries leaned to constructs, concepts or ideologies that speak towards development (Ake, 1996:1;Adjei, 2007:21;Fukuda-Parr and Hulme, 2011:17).Thus, as the world was entering into a new millennium, the United Nations welcomed the MDGs as a developmental key in improving human well-being all over the world (Jahan, 2003:2; Hulme, 2009:4-9).The global aura of MDGs which got a mixed reaction from commentators has however indicted significant progress globally on the goals (MDG Report, 2015).According to UN reports, despite the uneven achievements and shortfalls in many areas, the MDGs has saved millions of lives and improved conditions for many others (The Guardian, 2015).The report shows, the number of people who survives on less than $1.25 a day has been reduced from 1.9 billion in 1990 to 836 million in 2015; the number of undernourished people also fell by half in 2015.In the area of education,  2015).
The MDGs were relatively successful in Sub-Saharan Africa, although, some scholars believe the performance could have been better (Global Poverty Report, 2002;UN World Summit, 2005;MDG Report, 2007, Aribigbola, 2009).Many countries in Sub Saharan Africa were able to record accelerated progress.For example in Rwanda poverty reduced drastically from 78% to 44.9% in 2003 with the help of MDGs induced policies (Sangado, et al, 2003).Countries like Benin, Togo, Tanzania and Sao-Tome made considerable change in the area of education (MDGs Report, 2011).Similarly, Nigeria recorded improved performance in its MDG Goals.
In view of the poor mid-point performance, some scholars are of the opinion that the country may be unable to achieve the MDGs target in 2015 especially given the lack of transparency and accountability, misuse of funds, poor coordination and corruption facing the implementation of most of the MDG Programmes (Ibrahim and Igbuzor, 2009;Oshelowo, 2011;Lawal et al, 2012;Ajiye, 2014;Imodu, 2014;Omoh, 2014, Odunyemi, 2015).
Notwithstanding the challenges that the MDGs are facing, some gains were recorded in key sectors.improved access to sanitation from 39% to 70% (Igbuzor, 2013:12).However, the completion of the MDG era has indicated incremental improvements in some areas and challenges in some as evidenced below:

Eradicate Extreme Poverty and Hunger
Nigeria being one of the most populous country in Sub-Saharan Africa following its poverty records, contributes a major quota to the poverty statistic in the region.
Statistics show that poverty prevalence in the country has been on decline.Using the halve of 1992 data which was estimated at 42.7% as a benchmark upon which progress or lack of it was gauged, poverty status has been said to be swaying.In In light of the above, eradicating hunger in Nigeria recorded a remarkable success while poverty reduction did was not achieved.

Achieving Universal Primary Education
Education is an established instrument in bringing about development in any Nation.On this platform, MDGs provided 2015 as a bench mark for children everywhere in the world, boys and girls alike to complete a full primary education.

Promote Gender Equality and Women Empowerment
This target is so important to the Nigerian government because one in every household in Nigeria is a woman and also the vital importance of women and girls in the development of a region.This importance has led to the clamor for gender equality, (Agbalajobi, 2010:75-76;Manion, 2012:229-235;Mullings, 2014;Mazibuko, 2016, Onochie, 2016).For the purpose of this paper, gender equality here is understood as giving a woman same entitlement as her male counterparts.
The Gender Equality Index, Nigeria ranks 118 out of 134 countries (Ukaid Gender Report, 2012).The report espoused that women make up only 21% of the nonagricultural paid labor force and are also politically underrepresented.
Nonetheless, the situation is improving from the FMWA&SD (2014) reports, sub nationals governments in Nigeria have come up with policies to discourage gender disparity in the society.For instance, many states in the Northern part of the country has enacted laws to prohibit street begging and hawking; withdrawal of girls from school and enforcement of fundamental human rights for girls.There Evaluating Nigeria's Achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MGDs) 667 is also a gender equality policy implemented under the Education for All project.
This enabling policies has been background upon which gender equality is been promoted.Statistics shows that there has been a progressive increase in the ratio of girls to boy in primary school.In 1995, the ratio was 86% but declined to 78% Clearly, from the foregoing statistics, the crusade for women empowerment appears to be making impressive progress but it is still way below the 35% target.Similarly, access to safe water and sanitation has been a challenge to Nigeria.

Reducing Child Mortality
The country's progress towards this area has been erratic and dawdling.The percentage of the population with access to improved drinking water source from any of the following channel like piped water, borehole, protected spring or rain water is 67% as against the 77% 2015 required target (FMWR, 2014;NBS, 2014).
Even though citizens played discernible roles in providing their own boreholes, well and other sources of safe water (FMR, 2014).
In all, Nigeria has more to do in the area of environmental sustainability.As noted by FAO ( 2010), forestry provides employment for over 2 million people particularly in the harvesting of fuel, wood and poles but due to deforestation, not more than 80000 people work in log processing industries, especially in the forest zones of the south.There is also need to scale up access to drinking water because improved drinking water, safe water and sanitation will help in reducing number of deaths from diseases such as cholera, diarrhea, ring worm and typhoid.
All of which are symptoms of acute water shortage and grimy environment.

Develop Global Partnership for Development
The As statistics above shows, much progress was made in respect to meeting Goal 8.

Challenges Facing the Nigeria Millennium Development Goals
Nigeria's end report of the Millennium Development Goals presented a bag of mixed results as seen above.While there has been appreciable progress in some selected goals, others have been faced with challenges.The reports reveal that Nigeria recorded tremendous success from 2005 to 2014 with regards to ODA which amounts to US $1,282,205,2971 mainly from OECD countries.There also has been improved performance in fund disbursement.As affirmed by the MDGs office, over one trillion naira was spent for the implementation of MDG targets and objectives in the country between 2007and 2010(Leadership Newspaper, 2010).The robust disbursement of funds do not however reflect in the country's level of poverty, infant mortality, unemployment, diseases, etc.
( Nwanolue, et al., 2014:17;NPC, 2015).As argued by Nwanolue, et al (ibid), it is unlikely that all these accrued funds were solely dedicated to the spending of pro-poor projects and programmes towards the achievement of MDGs.Awofadeji ( 2009 Other scholars such as, Alabi and Ojor, 2011: 237-243;Oshelowo, 2011: 18-19;Abdulgafar,et al., 2013:68;Cyprian, et al., 213:509;Terungwa and Akwen, 2014:115;Odunyemi, 2015:37 have also attributed challenges such as poor governance, corruption, lack of accountability and transparency, policy inconsistency, lack of holistic database and insurgencies to be the reasons for the mixed results of the MDGs.For instance, Ribadu (2005) asserted a whooping sum of US$400 to be funds squandered and reserved by Nigerian leaders in various Western banks.Similarly, the federal government in a report documented they have been able to make cash recoveries totalling to N78, 325,354,631.82; $185,119,584.61;£11,250 and recoveries under interim forfeiture (cash and assets) equalizing to N126,563,481,095.43;$9,090,243,920.15;£2,484,447.55 within May 29, 2015 to May 25, 2016 from looters of public treasury (Aziken and Nwabughiogu, 2016;Mail and Guardian Africa, 2016;Vanguard,2016).Allegedly, all these looted funds could have been used to carry out effective and efficient programmes and intervention plans for the betterment of the citizenry and the development of the society,

Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) Transition to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
MDGs during its 15 years benchmark made an appreciable effort in ensuring development globally mainly through array of issues such as halving poverty, hunger, disease, gender inequality, child mortality and improving maternal health.However, not all countries, especially Sub-Saharan African countries are on track with the realization of the goals.
Poverty, gender inequality, child mortality and combat of diseases still remain a daunting challenge in most countries (MDG Report, 2015).
In a bid to address these daunting challenges associated with MDGs and to sustain the positive results achieved by the programme, the global community adopted a Post 2015 Hence, these evolving glitches was a welcoming need for the SDGs.Waziri (2015) notes that the attainment of SDGs will free the human race from tyranny and want, and secure the planets for the present and yet to come generations.

Sustainable Development Goals in Nigeria: An Engaging Bowl
MDGs gave impetus to Nigerian developmental growth, even though, the country did not meet up with the required targets of the MDGs as noted in the earlier part of the paper.2015;Odunyemi, 2015:38).Likewise, more of these SDG targets are interwoven2 .For instance, managing agricultural productivity will not be conceivable if there is no income and good health.Also, getting a good and decent job (Goal 8) will reduce inequality in the society (Goal 10); lift one of poverty (Goal 1); avert hunger (Goal 2) and give one access to a good health and well-being (Goal 3).On the contrary, getting a good job cannot be possible without having a quality education (Goal 4) and an accessible industry and infrastructure (Goal 9).From another point of view, eradication of poverty will lead to the falling in place of SDG targets such as having access to quality education, good health and wellbeing, clean water and sanitation and reduction of inequality.

Emerging Priorities in Attaining Sustainable Development Goals in Nigeria
The adoption of the MDG in Nigeria did not lapse without leaving a considerable impact in the country.Altogether, the developmental agenda left down lessons which if put to use will yield to fruitful results in the new post 2015 development agenda: 1) Early Commencement: Unlike the MDGs which did not start till 2005 due to financial constraints and the debt owed by Nigeria, there is need for early commencement of the SDGs implementation.As noted, the late commencement of the MDGs could be alienated to the negative impact and slow outcome of the MDG target (Igbuzor, 2015;Nigeria MDG Report, 2015: xxiii).
2) Funding: This consequential effect that affected the MDGs and also aided in its 6) Good Governance: It is anticipated that getting governance right is the fulcrum for achieving developmental programmes.This is indeed the reason why scholars (Kemp, Parto and Gibson, 2005;Oshelowo, 2011: 18-19;Sachs, 2012;Igbuzor, 2013;Terungwa and Akwen, 2014)

Conclusion
The end of MDGs has demonstrated that the world can be united on a global course in seeking for development.The era which end with successes and challenges in varying countries with Nigeria as no exception, has steered the establishment of a post development agenda known as the Sustainable Development Goals.
The SDGs which reflect a broader and better coverage of the totality of the social, economic, environmental and institutional system if adopted and pursued with greater commitment and meticulousness will improve the wellbeing and lives of a country's citizenry.
Hence, as Nigeria commences the post development agenda, the lessons, successes and challenges learnt from the MDGs will help in navigating challenges that might be faced in the new Sustainable Development Goals and in formulating holistic policies needed to promote an inclusive economic development and environmental sustainability such as the Conditional Cash Transfer which implicitly is a way to impact on the lives of the masses and if implemented effectively will reduce poverty.

successive
Nigerian government have designed and implemented numerous policies and projects to tackle the scourge.Maduagwu (2005) identified 35 developmental programmes that have been undertaken by the state at different intervals.These include inter alia: Operation Feed the Nation [OFN] in 1976; Green Revolution in 1980 to address poverty; Directorate of Foods, Roads and Rural Infrastructure [DFFRI] in 1986 to construct good roads, provide rural water and electrification supply for those in the rural areas; National Directorate of Employment (NDE) in 1986 aimed at providing financing, training and guidance for the unemployed youths; Poverty Alleviation Programme (PAP) which was introduced in 2000 to address the problems of rising unemployment in the society, boost economy productiveness, and ensure Nigerians are provided with basic necessities of life such as: affordable health care, sanitized environment, quality education amongst others flow of Official Development Assistance (ODA) from developed countries to Nigeria has increased dramatically since 2004, with the heath sector as a leading recipient.The health sector so far has received about US$480,017,028 from donors as compared to other sectors (National Planning Commission, 2015).The accruement of these funds has contributed to the attainment of health related target especially Goal 4.5 and 6 (Nigeria MDG Report, 2015:96).The agricultural sector has also benefitted greatly from the ODA which it's visible in the appreciable progress made in dealing with hunger as stipulated in Goal one.Other benefits of ODA had been used in setting up developmental programmes and initiatives such as Mid-wives Service Scheme, Universal Basic Scheme, Conditional Grant Scheme, Conditional Cash Transfer, Vocational Training Scheme, Roll back Malaria Partnership with global fund in providing insecticide treated mosquito nets and Federal Teachers Scheme (Ajiye, 2014:30).In promoting global partnership through communication, Nigeria had witnessed tremendous changes.The number of fixed telephone line dropped from 0.30 in 1990 to 0.10 in 2014 owing to the introduction of Global System Mobile (GSM) which was massively embraced from 0.00 in 1990 to 77.84% in 2014 following its easy and handy access to communication.Tele-density has rapidly grown from 0.73 in 2001 to 99.3 per every 100 persons given way for a phenomenal growth.The number of internet users, also relatively grew from 3.53 per 100 people in 2005 to 42.68 users per 100 people in 2014 due to the advantage of enabling easy socio economic activities at a relative low cost (NCC, 2014; Nigeria MDG Report, 2015:98-99).
), in his article provided instances where funds were disbursed for the supply and distribution of drugs when there are no health facilities.Also, N430 billion awarded for MDG Projects within 2006-2009 went back into Government purse through counterpart funding by different states (Alabi and Ojor, 2011:238).
Therefore, in a bid to sustain the positive results yielded from the MDGs, improve the lives of the people and focus more on the achievement of the dawdling goals, Nigeria joined other member countries in the United Nations in adopting the post 2015 development agenda known as the SDGs.The SDGs which is an inclusive developmental plan focuses on six essential elements: human dignity, human advancement, planet warmth, prosperity, developmental partnership, justice and equity.These elements just like MDGs aim to end extreme poverty anywhere and everywhere, transform live, improve the planet and promote socio economic development(Ihejirika, 2015).The SDG agenda which is a broader version of MDGs as stated above and as seen in the figure below comprises of unfinished goals in line with the MDGs.These goals include:  Goal 1-Ending poverty in all ramifications  Goal 2-Ending hunger in all its form and promoting sustainable agriculture  Goal 3-Ensuring Healthy lives and Comprehensive well-being for all ages  Goal 4-Quality Education for all educational phases (primary, secondary, tertiary)  Goal 5-Achieving Gender equality and women empowerment According to Ihejirika (2015), these first five goals are crucial to Nigerian development owing to them being residual goals of the MDGs.Additionally, scholars such as Adegbulu (2015) and Igbuzor (2015) have also included Goal 6-Clean water and Sanitation for all; Goal 8-Promote decent work and Economic Growth for all, to be of immeasurable essence.Evaluating Nigeria's Achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MGDs) 675 Implicitly, all these stated goals are prerequisite for Nigerian development and have become policies which have been enshrined in various pro-developmental interventions within the country such as NEEDS, Vision 2020 and the Transformation Agenda (Igbuzor, delay in commencement.In realizing the set goals of the SDGs, financial resources have to be pumped into programmes, policies and interventions that will lead to its actualization.Part of this requires maintaining Nigeria's pledge to the Paris club by utilizing the estimated US$8 billion available in the Virtual Property Fund in appropriate and shrewd manner(Nigeria MDGs Report, 2015).In same way, the Nigeria 2016 budget generated room for the SDG programme by allocating a total of N8, 495,940,103 for the smooth implementation of the SDGs(Odunsi,   2015; Onyekpere, 2016).3)Political Will and Policy Ideas: In ensuring active steps towards development, there must be a strong political will and policy idea towards the actualization of such a programme or goal.On this note, in eradicating poverty and improving the lives of the citizens as an indispensable condition for sustainable development, President Muhammadu Buhari has visualized developmental interventions such as the Youth Empowerment Plan, Provision of one meal per day and the transfer of N5000 monthly to vulnerable citizens of the country(Usman, 2015; Vanguard,   2015; Biafra Today, 2016; Nwabughiogu, 2016)    4) Ownership and Universality: Development lead to good change based on the capacity and needs of the people(Igbuzor, 2005).Therefore, SDGs has to prioritize according to Nation's capacities and pressing needs taking into account also the constraints and opportunities that lie there in.For Nigeria, SDGs 1,2,3, 4,5,6,8 should be vigorously focused on in the early stage of the implementation of the SDGs mainly because they are shortfalls from the MDGs 5) Accurate, Reliable and Inclusive Data: Having an accurate and reliable data is essential in planning developmental programmes and policies.According toEjemudo (2013:78), a country that does not have accurate data will not be able to put in place necessary strategies and policies.For a country like Nigeria, data is a scarce commodity and this has brought about challenges during the MDGs era.For example on Health, the data generated by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) sometimes conflict with those of the National Population Commission(Nigeria MDGs Report, 2015).Also, the data report on the poverty level of Nigerians by NBS contradicts that of the World Bank even though same measuring stick was used(Nigeria MDG Report, 2015).
have attributed good governance as a prerequisite to development.The sphere of good governance which includes but Evaluating Nigeria's Achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MGDs) 677 not limited to identifying the needs of the citizens, prioritizing such needs, harnessing available resources with which to meet the needs, distribute the resources among the needs and ensure the judicial use of the resources (Terungwa and Akwen, 2014:122).Anger (2010) also stated the qualities of Good Governance as:  Engaging the people in the conduct and management of affair  Accountability and Transparency in the mobilization and utilization of resources  Responsibility and Responsiveness in public service  Effective and Efficient manner in handling public/ personal affairs On this ground, developmental deficiencies such as corruption, deficiency in monitoring, inequality, policy inconsistency amongst others cannot be abetted.All of which have led to the past failure of developmental programmes in Nigeria (Ajiye, 2014:32; Terungwa and Akwen, 2014:126).
Evaluating Nigeria's Achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MGDs) 663Primary school enrolment rate in developing nations rose to 91% in 2015 from 83% in 2000; the global under five mortality rates has declined by more than half, dropping from 90 to 43 deaths per 1000 live births.The fight against malaria witnessed huge improvement, for instance, more than 900 million insecticide treated mosquito nets were delivered to malaria endemic countries between 2000 and 2014.With regards to accessible water, about 2.6 billion have gained access to improved drinking water.There has also been an indirect flow between drinking water target and sanitation.Globally, 147 nations have met the drinking water target, 95 countries have met the sanitation target while 77 countries have met both(The Guardian, 2015; Odunyemi, 2015:34-35; UN MDGs Report, The robust disbursement of funds towards MDGs programme initiates commitment to the actualization of the MDG goals and targets.However, assessment reports of the MDGs do not seem to suggest much success.The 2004 report which was Nigeria's first report on MDGs suggest that it was unlikely the country would realize most of the goals air marked 664 Africa's Public Service Delivery & Performance Review The programme was part of the government plan to reduce poverty and uphold sustainable development.The MDGs however commenced in 2005, after the cancellation of the debt relief.The cancellation of the debt enabled the government to save US$1 billion annually and this led to the increase and target of pro-poor interventions such asYES, YouWin,   Conditional Cash Transfer, Conditional Grant Scheme, etc. (Igbuzor, 2013; Olabode, et al,   2014:47-48; Nigeria MDGs Report:16-17).MDGs project in Nigeria have gulped about N1.4 trillion between 2006 and 2010 (Az-Zubair; 2010).Prodding further, an analysis of the 2012 budget shows that a total of more than 3 trillion was spent on MDGs (PCAMMDGs, 2013).The 2008 Nigeria MDG Report which denoted a mid-point of the 15 years millennium journey, however, indicated a slow paced approach in the realization of the goals on the underlying basis of the 2005 Nigeria MDG report (Nigeria Mid-Point Assessment, 2008; Igbuzor, 2013:13).The report indicates that the number of people living in poverty was to have declined from 54.7% to 28.7% in 2007 in ascertaining the assurance of the goal but it has not gotten there.On the other hand, infant mortality rose from 81 per 1000 live births in the year 2000 to 110 per 1000 live births in 2005/2006 against the global target of 30 per 1000 live births in 2015; Under the midway target, maternal mortality rates were expected to fall within 440 per 100000 live births, however, it was 828 deaths per 100000 live births and 531 deaths per 100000 live births in urban areas.The numbers of people with access to safe drinking water rose from 54% in 2000 to 60% in 2005/2006 while the proportion of the population with access to basic sanitation dropped from 42.9 in 2000 to 38% in 2005/ 2006 (Nigeria midpoint Assessment On this ground, the Nigerian Government introduced the Universal Primary 666 Africa's Public Service Delivery & Performance Review ibid; Nigerian MDG Report, ibid).On the other hand, the literacy rate of 15-24 years old has witnessed fair progress as revealed by available data.From 64.1% in 2000 to 80% in 2008; bounced to 65.6% in 2011 and stepped up to 66.7% in 2014 as against the 100% target of 2015(NBS, 2015).
Table one below presents an overview of the progresses made thus far using the MDG Nigeria actualization target to gauge.
Evaluating Nigeria's Achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MGDs) 673