AU Report : Nigeria records progress in infrastructure development, others

Despite security challenges in Nigeria, a specialized agency of the African Union popularly known as African Peer Review Mechanism has said the Federal Government made tremendous progress in the areas of infrastructure development, agricultural revolution, humanitarian services, and the fight against corruption.

The Chief Executive Officer of African Union Development Agency and Secretary of APRM, Princess Gloria Akobundu, stated this on Thursday evening in Abuja during a press briefing announcing the report of Nigeria’s second peer review by the AU-NEPAD.

The PUNCH reported that the President, Major-General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), had earlier inaugurated a 15-member National Governance Council for the conduct of Nigeria’s second peer review with the overarching goal to improve governance and well-being of the people.

But despite the alarming number of innocent lives killed by bandits and terrorists in the country, the APRM said Buhari achieved some feats in various segments of the socio-political economy.

Akobundu said, “Today, we are happy to announce to you that Nigeria has been peer-reviewed for the second time. The review report was far-reaching and encompasses various segments of our socio-political economy and highlighted the development recorded since the first peer review in 2008.

“Despite the challenges the country is currently facing, tremendous progress and success have been made in many areas, particularly in infrastructure development, agricultural revolution, humanitarian services, fight against corruption and so many more for which Nigeria was highly commended by the forum of Heads of State and Government at the 31st Ordinary Session of the AU on the 4th of February, 2022.”

She, however, said that to address the challenges identified in the second country review report, Buhari has assured that the government will launch and implement the National Programme of Action to strengthen democracy and good governance for economic growth and development.

Earlier, the Chairman of National Governing Council, Senator Abba Ali, explained that Nigeria’s second review process was based on the country’s performance and not a scorecard as it was not to name and shame or punish any Africa Peer Review Mechanism member state.

“The overall process seeks to entrench good governance practices in participating states by deepening the principles of democracy, transparency, accountability. Integrity, respect human rights, and promotion of the rule of law, in order to create an enabling environment for sustainable development”, he said.

The chairman, Senate Committee on Cooperation and Integration in Africa, and former governor of Enugu State, Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani, expressed the commitment of the National towards the passage of the AUDA-NEPAD draft Bill for institutionalization and proper funding for efficiency and effectiveness.