CALL FOR BOOK CHAPTERS Title: – Implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) framework in Nigeria: Building a research network to explore Barriers, Prospects and Strategies
Editors- Dr Eghosa O. Ekhator (University of Chester, UK) email:
[email protected]; Dr Servel Miller (University of Chester, UK) email:
[email protected] and Dr Etinosa Igbinosa (University of Benin, Nigeria) email:
[email protected]
Expected Year of Publication (2019) Rationale Despite its massive oil wealth and revenues, Nigerian citizens remain mired in poverty (Ekhator 2015). The recent World Bank 2017 Atlas of Sustainable Development Goals states that ‘more than 35 million Nigerians are living in extreme poverty in 2013 than in 1990’ (Quartz 2017). Corruption, maladministration and the inability of successive governments in Nigeria to adequately distribute the enormous wealth it has earned to its citizens has worsened the poverty rates in the country. The 193-Member United Nations General Assembly formally adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development on 25 September 2015, along with a set of bold new Sustainable Development Goals, which the former Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon hailed as a universal, integrated and transformative vision for a better world. In January 2016, the 17 SDGs of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development came into force. Thus, within the next fifteen years, these new goals apply universally, and countries will intensify efforts to end all forms of ‘poverty, fight inequalities and tackle climate change, while ensuring no one is left behind’ (UN website 2018). Some of these global (and inter-connected) goals include end to poverty, gender equality and quality education amongst others. Notwithstanding that the SDGs are not legally binding, governments are expected to be the engine or take ownership of the framework. Governments are to establish national frameworks for the actualisation of these global goals. The Federal government of Nigeria has produced a report on the implementation of SDGs in Nigeria which is titled the ‘Implementation of the SDGs A National Voluntary Review 2017.’ This report stated that the government has achieved some key milestones however some challenges still plague the successful implementation of the SDG framework in Nigeria. Some of these challenges include over-reliance on the oil and gas sector, infrastructural deficits and technological gaps, economic recession and humanitarian crisis. More so, a major challenge militating against the successful attainment of the SDGs in Nigeria 1
has been said to be lack of awareness and inadequate sensitisation of the citizens on the practical benefits of the framework (Aramide 2017). Thus, collaboration of various actors should not be limited to ‘national, state and local governments, the private sector, the academia, civil society as average everyday citizens have a stake in achieving Agenda 2030’ (Aramide 2017). A series of long-term trends, from climate change to demographics, are already reshaping the national landscape for policymakers and practitioners, just as they set their sights on implementing the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. A slowdown in the economies of countries around the world, migration, and consequences of fragile states and societies — ranging from public health crises, natural hazards, crime to terrorism — will all impact how the SDGs can be implemented. The gravity of these challenges cannot be underestimated. When there are 17 goals, 169 targets and 230 indicators, what you need is a process that simplifies complexity. Consequently, the implementation of the SDGs in Nigeria requires a multidisciplinary and holistic approach. Issues around natural disasters, migration, demographic changes, social inequality, gender inequality, climate change, sustainable cities, rural economics, economic growth and environmental and social justice need to be considered in a more ‘interconnected’ manner. Partnerships (e.g. between academia, public sector, private sector, civic society and local communities) need to be developed in order to achieve sustainable SDGs outputs. As such, this research aims to develop a network of; practitioners, academics, private sector and civil society to undertake research to better inform that aid the development of SDGs in Nigeria.
ScopeContributions to the book are expected to contain conceptual analyses and country studies of SDGs. The goal is to present comparative historical and contemporary accounts that will enable cross-exchange of ideas, practices and innovative solutions for Sustainable Development and improving its effectiveness for developing and emerging economies especially Nigeria. The proposed book will explore progress (and/or lack thereof) linked to key Sustainable Development Goals, most relevant to Nigeria and hopefully serve as platform, for crossdisciplinary, inter-agency academic-industry-government collaboration.
Theme 1: Reducing and ending Poverty The National Bureau of Statistics outlined that over 60% of Nigerians in 2010 were living in “absolute poverty”. For example, in Zamfara State, this is almost 90%. Also, Nigeria is said to be home to the world’s greatest concentration of extreme poverty. Poverty predispose the poor to disease, hunger, deprivation, death, lack of economic powers, poor nutrition and social mobility. The theme broadly covers papers exploring for example:
Measures to strive to eliminate extreme poverty by 2030 2
Support for economic growth and improved productivity by ensuring work always pays and people are supported to find work Options for reducing the disadvantages faced by disabled people and people with health conditions through the welfare system and labour market Promotion of fairness in the labour market and improved working conditions Nutrition strategy/programmes at a local and regional level Prospects for a resilient and secure agri-food supply chain
Theme 2: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls Nigeria continues to face many social, political, economic and religious challenges that are threats to achieving sustainable development. Gender “disparity” or “gender inequality” continues to be one of these challenges. The Nigerian Government continues to take steps to address this disparity but still lacking behind in making significant progress in this area. Research into gender and development policies and programmes can challenge and change women’s socially prescribed roles in the pursuit of gender equality. We would welcome papers that explore for example: Working to reduce the gender pay gap and tackling gender inequality in society Getting women into work Reducing excess female mortality (e.g. HIV reduction programme) Closing gaps in productivity and earnings Investing in youths to break intergenerational cycles of gender inequality: Targeted interventions for women during the defining adolescent stage risky behaviour Discussion of laws promoting and protecting women’s rights in Nigeria Encourage girls to stay in school or engage in skills training Combat institutionalised gender inequality: For example, customary and religious practices/laws discriminating against women in Nigeria
Theme 3: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts Floods, drought, windstorms and contaminated drinking water sources linked to climate change is one of the most significant threat to sustainable development in Nigeria. The floods of 2012 and 2017 (in Nigeria) are stark reminders of the devastating impacts these events can have on lives and livelihood. Disasters associated with climate change is disrupting national economies and affecting lives, costing people, communities and countries dearly. It is usually the poorest and most vulnerable people that are being affected the most. Papers exploring any of the following issues would be relevant for this theme: 1. Strategies to combat climate change at local and national scales 2. The ongoing impact of floods and drought on vulnerable communities 3. Progress on climate change policy 4. Critique of national adaptation plans for responding to climate change
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Other key topics on which papers would be welcome include: What are the main challenges for developing, adopting, disseminating or scaling SDGs? What are the most effective ways that could support the achievement of the SDGs? What are the knowledge/implementation gaps requiring more research and technology development? What are the new disruptive technologies that could change the paradigm in the field and transform the way to reach the SDGs as a whole? What are current gaps and high priority actions? What is the role of taxation in the promotion of sustainable development in the country? How will promotion of the environment impact on the implementation of the SDGs framework in the country?
Submission of Abstracts A 500-word abstract should be submitted to
[email protected] by 28th February 2019. Authors can also submit final copies of their chapters alongside their abstracts. Book chapters should not be more than 5,000 words in total (excluding references and bibliography). OSCOLA format of referencing is the recommended reference style for the book.
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