Public Policy Instruments and Dynamics of Economic Development Indicators in Rural Nigeria

Abstract

This paper focuses on rural economic development that seems grossly reported, neglected and under-invested in Nigeria despite various acclaimed public policies that the sector holds the key to sustainable economic development of the nation. Analysis of the 55 years of sectoral performance appraisal of the Nigerian economy in relation to sustainability is not comprehensive and instructive if it is devoid of a review of development policies that are public and rural driven. This paper therefore, addresses the dynamics, challenges and prospects of public policy instruments as indicative of rural economic development and performance indicators in the overall discourse on sustainable rural economic development in Nigeria. The paper adopted a qualitative approach to show evidences of performance indicators in rural areas in Nigeria. It concludes that public policies have assisted in accelerating the pace of rural development in Nigeria and the impact cannot be wished away for whatever reasons. The paper recommended that, public policies on rural economic development must be community driven, environmental friendly in implementation, social capital impacted and guided by deliberative civic engagement to enhance the buy-in attitude of rural dwellers.