Historical Appraisal of Development Index in Colonial and Independent Nigeria

Abstract

The British Colonialists brought development in Nigeria in its modern phase through radicalization of such factors of modernity like education, health facilities, paid employment, road and railway infrastructure, urbanization, commerce, monetary institutions like banks insurance and mortgages et cetera. However, it is always the belief of Afrocentric scholars that the major aim of British economic policies in Nigeria was to expropriate, and repatriate capital to her mother country. In other words, the expansionism of Britain to Africa nay Nigeria was guided by high level capitalism aimed at advancing her course at discomfiture and exploitation of Nigerian natives1. However the question is. Did British economic effort in Nigeria have any impact on the Development Index of Nigeria in the Colonial era? The answer will be provided in this articulation. Again, did the British lay adequate economic foundation on Nigeria development index prior to independence? When these posers are sorted, we will appraise the Nigerian development index from independence to date. Such factors as Human Development Index, like social amenities, infrastructural Development, etc. will be keyed into the country’s development plans in pari pasu with Gross Domestic Plans (GDP). This is the fulcrum of this study.