International Journal of Sustainable Development & World Policy

Conceptual analysis of the constraining factors impeding sustainable development efforts in Nigeria

Sir Anthony Wakwe Lawrence, Damiete Onyema Lawrence, Dango Wakwe Lawrence — Wed, 02 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0500

Besides the well-known challenges hindering the achievement of sustainable development goals (SDGs), such as lack of finance, poverty, insufficient educational and health facilities, out-of-school children, inadequate social amenities, climate change, and environmental issues, this paper identified additional human-related constraints, stemming from moral, social/well-being impediments, along with other educational problems, which significantly reinforce existing obstacles. The paper presents high-impact interventions tailored to enhance the attainment of the SDGs, particularly within the Nigerian context. A notable strength of this work is its systematic prioritization of constraints into four distinct categories: moral, social, educational, and project management issues. These factors were further divided into priority subunits, with significant interventions identified according to the Pareto Principle’s 80/20 rule. The paper highlights the interactions among these subunit constraints, demonstrating their synergistic effects. One major issue highlighted in this paper is the "poverty trap syndrome," a condition where a poor nation, due to development and other constraints, becomes trapped deeper into perpetual poverty and can no longer escape. We elucidated this and other concepts with graphical presentations in this paper. A holistic approach is essential for third-world nations to make meaningful progress toward the SDGs. Addressing factors that impede sustainable development and implementing effective interventions are critical. This paper’s framework aims to mitigate barriers to achieving sustainable development goals, encapsulating the essence of this work. The authors advocate these approaches for macro-development studies and have emphasized that morality, as a co-factor, must be considered inevitable when interventions for developmental issues are undertaken.

Assessment of motorcycle as a means of transportation system and crime activities in Ore, Ondo State, Nigeria

Adeniyi Samuel Ale — Fri, 07 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0600

Motorcycles have become an alternative to conventional means of transportation such as tricycles, buses, and minibuses in most developing countries of the Saharan Africa sub-region. This study therefore examined the effects of motorcycles as an alternative transportation system and their association with crime activities in Ore, Ondo State. A mixed sampling technique was adopted for this study. Motorcyclists' parks in the area were stratified into eight units that were purposively selected, from which 150 respondents were randomly sampled. Descriptive statistics (charts, tables of percentages, and Mean Weight Value) were used to analyze respondents' bio-data, causes, types, and effects of crime on commuters by the cyclists, while inferential statistics (Chi-square) were used to analyze the stated hypotheses. The research revealed that greed for material things, security lapses, and other factors were causes of crimes. Types of crimes included physical injury infliction, murder, robbery, assault, and rape. The effects of crimes on commuters included physical injuries, loss of valuables, and psychological disorders, among others. The results of the hypothesis test at a 5% level of significance showed that since the calculated X² value of 88.08 was greater than the table value of 8.34, the null hypothesis was rejected in favor of the alternative hypothesis, indicating that socio-economic factors of the respondents influence crime activities in Ore. The study concluded that most crimes in the area are committed by commercial motorcyclists. The study recommended that intelligence and surveillance operations should be intensified within the neighborhood to curb these activities.

Assessing food waste and environment-related factors: Evidence from urban households in Southwestern Nigeria

Aminu Folasade Oluremi, Olulaye David Oluwatimilehin — Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0600

This study assessed food waste and environment-related factors among urban households in Southwestern Nigeria. The objectives were to identify commonly wasted food types, examine household practices and attitudes toward food storage, consumption, and waste disposal, and analyze the socio-economic, cultural, and environmental determinants of food waste. A multistage sampling technique was used to select 240 respondents, and data were collected using structured questionnaires. Descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis were employed to analyze the data. Results revealed that commonly wasted foods include legumes, noodles, bread, and cereals, largely due to over-purchasing, convenience preferences, and short shelf life. Perception analysis showed general awareness of food waste, although some households still engage in wasteful practices. Environmental factors such as inadequate municipal waste collection and irregular electricity supply significantly contribute to household food spoilage. Regression analysis indicated that variables including household income, the presence of children under 10 years old, access to refrigerators, frequency of food purchases, and environmental awareness substantially influence the level of food waste. The study concluded that food waste in urban households is a complex issue shaped by socio-economic, behavioral, and environmental factors. It recommended implementing awareness campaigns, improving infrastructure for food preservation, and developing targeted policy interventions to promote sustainable household food management and mitigate the negative environmental impacts of food waste.

Rising petroleum products pump price: Implication for prices of selected raw food items in Southwestern Nigeria

Najeem Olatunji Bashir, Muideen Adejare Isiaka, Hakeem Olayinka Onifade — Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0600

This study investigated the impact of petroleum product pump prices on garri and yam prices in Southwest Nigeria between 2017 and 2022. The study covers the six Southwest states. Data on prices of garri and yam, automotive gas oil, premium motor spirit, and household kerosene, as well as the prices of imported goods and services and the consumer price index, were collated from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) fact sheet and Global Data Lab. The data were analyzed using the ordinary least squares technique. Results show that automotive gas oil prices influence the prices of garri and yam in Ogun, Ondo, and Osun; petrol pump prices have a significant influence on the prices of garri and yam in all the states except Osun. Kerosene prices affect the prices of all commodities across all states except Ekiti and Oyo. The consumer price index and imports of goods and services significantly influence the prices of garri and yam in all states except Ekiti. It was concluded that petrol pump prices are the major influencers of garri and yam prices. As a recommendation, adequate implementation of policies aimed at stabilizing petroleum pump prices to mitigate price volatility of essential commodities should be ensured. Mechanisms targeted at cushioning the impact of fluctuating petroleum product prices on raw food affordability should be considered.

Climate change, financial development and economic performance of the agricultural sector in Nigeria

Thu, 08 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0600

The study investigated the impact of climate change and financial development on the economic performance of Nigeria's agricultural sector. It highlighted the severe threat posed by climate change, primarily through greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), and the influence of financial development dynamics on agricultural productivity in developing countries. An ex-post-facto research design was employed, utilizing data from 1990 to 2023 sourced from the World Development Indicators and the Central Bank of Nigeria. The independent variables included greenhouse gas emissions carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), and nitrous oxide (N₂O). Financial development variables encompassed inflation, exchange rate, and gross capital formation, while the dependent variable was agricultural value added. The Fully Modified Ordinary Least Squares (FMOLS) method was used as the analytical tool, along with other diagnostic tools. The findings indicated a significant negative relationship between carbon dioxide emissions (CO₂) and agricultural value added. Methane emissions (CH₄) showed no significant impact, whereas nitrous oxide (N₂O) positively affected productivity. These results underscore the complex dynamics between greenhouse gases, financial development, and agricultural productivity. The study emphasizes the need for targeted policies to mitigate GHG emissions by promoting sustainable agricultural practices to ensure long-term food security and resilience in Nigeria. The implications of financial development indicators—such as inflation, exchange rates, and gross capital formation—in climate change studies suggest that improving access to financial resources could facilitate investments in sustainable agriculture. Policymakers should consider enhancing financial infrastructure to support farmers in adopting environmentally friendly practices.