The concern presently amongst Nigerians is the need for accelerated development hinged on urgent repositioning of the country economically and socially, as well as in all ramifications, to be on equal footing with the comity of developed nations and nation states. While some posit a position akin to past enviable rankings and ratings post-independence, a period when it was credited to a serving military head of state as boasting “that Nigeria’s problem was not money, but how to spend it”. Truly, it was an era many older Nigerian citizens nostalgically reminisce about as a glorious moment in the country’s life.
Inherently, radical overhaul has become even more pertinent in view of the recent World Bank report on Nigeria’s poverty rating as a matter of pressing concern. According to the said report, about four to ten Nigerians live below the national poverty line. When placed at a poverty headcount, it will amount to a ratio of $5.50 per day, approximately 90.80%. Invariably, a significant portion of the population lives on less than $5.50 per day. Mathematically, an estimated 87 million Nigerians live below the poverty line, making it the world’s second-largest poor population after India.
Therefore, as a panacea to a radical overhaul, Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs becomes quite imperative and germane. The concept utilises the categorisation of human needs and their actualisation as a motivator to ultimate performance and production. However, for this piece, it will be examined from the perspective of serving as a purveyor to the actualisation of the overall development of the country.
The hierarchy of needs is classified into physiological needs, safety needs, love and belonging needs, esteem needs, and self-actualisation needs. Consequently, it can be adopted as a template to categorise or prioritise the needs of the people, as well as orchestrate a strategic plan for the implementation of policies and programmes for socioeconomic development.
Physiological Needs
The first level of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs focuses on physiological needs, such as food, water, shelter, and healthcare. In Nigeria, as attested to by the World Bank report, addressing these basic human rights is crucial for development. The government can prioritise investments in agriculture, infrastructure, and healthcare to ensure that citizens’ physiological needs are met. The same is true for instituting plans for tackling the housing deficit being suffered by the people, which a World Bank report of 2021 estimated at 15.56 million units (Behr et al., 2021). In 2023, the Nigerian government report put the housing deficit statistics at 28 million units with an estimated funding need of N21 trillion (The State House, 2023).
Safety Needs
The second level of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs emphasises safety needs, including security, stability, and protection. In Nigeria presently, Thomas Hobbs could be said to have envisioned Nigeria when he stated that “life is nasty, brutish and short.” For instance, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reported that kidnapping incidence in the country is estimated at 2,235,954, with 65% of the victims paying a ransom of N2.7 million per incident, with an estimated total of N2.2 trillion between May 2023 and April 2024. The report further stated that nationally, an estimated 614,937 deaths were witnessed from 51,887,032 crime incidents experienced by households in Nigeria.
Therefore, ensuring safety and security is essential for individuals’ safety and for businesses to thrive, thereby driving development in turn. The government can strengthen law enforcement agencies, address corruption, and promote social cohesion to create a safe and stable environment for citizens.
Love and Belonging Needs
The third level of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs focuses on love and belonging needs, including social connections, relationships, and community. In Nigeria, fostering social connections is vital for development. The government can promote cultural events, support community development projects, and encourage social entrepreneurship to strengthen social bonds among citizens.
Esteem Needs
The fourth level of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs emphasises esteem needs, including self-esteem, recognition, and achievement. In Nigeria, promoting self-esteem and recognition is essential for development. The government can support education and skills development programmes, promote entrepreneurship, and recognise citizens’ achievements to boost self-esteem and national pride. Though a caveat here becomes sacrosanct in that various awards and awarding institutions, even sometimes individuals, should be streamlined in order to meet the essence of being an award indeed.
Self-Actualization Needs
The fifth level of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs focuses on self-actualisation needs, including personal growth, creativity, and fulfilment. In Nigeria, unlocking human potential is crucial for development. The government can support innovation and entrepreneurship, promote arts and culture, and provide opportunities for lifelong learning to enable citizens to reach their full potential.
By applying Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs to Nigeria’s development challenges, policymakers can create a more holistic and inclusive approach to development. Nigeria can unlock its full potential and achieve sustainable development by addressing citizens’ physiological, safety, love and belonging, esteem, and self-actualisation needs.
– Hon. Nnamdi Chimdi lbekwe is the lawmaker representing Bende North Constituency in the Abia State Assembly
Disclaimer: This article is entirely the opinion of the writer and does not represent the views of The Whistler.
