Interrogating the Nexus Between Human Resources and Economic Growth: Reflections and Notes on the Nigerian Economy in the 21st Century

Abstract

Existing studies have established that there is a correlation between harnessed human resources and economic growth. In the case of most developing economy like Nigeria, this is most manifested in a meaningful interaction between man and the natural environment (fauna and flora), the high level of production (agricultural raw materials/ manufacturing) and exchange which takes place between the various peoples on the one hand and the people and the neighbouring states on the other. With this, the various peoples are able to develop and maintain structures that ensure economic growth. In this case, the main drivers of such economy are the people (with specific reference to the youths) with support of the state, which must ensure conducive environment for their mass participation to grow the economy. It is thus the relationship between this human resource managing the natural resources and economic growth that the paper intend to interrogate, as well as why this seems not to be the case in Nigeria despite the abundance of such human and other resources (fauna and flora). The qualitative method is used for this particular research. Data obtained from primary and secondary sources were deployed to carry out the study with an analytical and narrative historical approach. This includes historical, descriptive and analytical approaches based on gathered evidence. The primary source for this research is based on field investigations conducted in the area and surrounding territories. Among other things, the data collection process includes semi-structured interviews with individuals. The research also uses historical documents from the national archives, relying on previous research conducted on issues of human resources, production and economic growth, in addition to documentary data taken from newspaper accounts, diaries, letters and verbal reports. Findings indicate that the present socio- economic situation the people of the present day Nigeria area find themselves particularly as it relates to constant decline in economic growth are evident of the long neglect of those features that sustained her before the colonial period and the inability to retrace her steps toward attaining self-sufficiency. The paper thus argues that unless the people and government make that conscious effort to put things right, she may never recover from the recession that has gripped the nation