Evaluating the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 8 and Economic Growth in Nigeria

Abstract

In response to the United Nations Agreement, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were created globally in 2015 with the intention of achieving them by 2030. This study used data from the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) and the Bertelsmann Stiftung to analyses 12 quality indicators in order to assess Nigeria's progress towards achieving objective 8: decent work and economic growth from 2015 to 2022. The results showed moderate economic growth throughout that time, with the average annual growth rate per capita and per employed person in the country scoring 53.9 and 57.8, respectively. Similarly, 57.2 percent of teenagers (those aged 15 to 24) did not have a job, education, or training, indicating a little increase in young people's participation in productive activities. Similar to this, the nation's labour rights compliance score of 69.1 indicates significant progress in protecting and promoting workers' rights of association and collective bargaining, all of which are consistent with SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). According to other findings, the unemployment rate had a lower score of 41.5, suggesting that reducing unemployment is a constant challenge. The number of automated teller machines (ATMs) (59.5) and commercial bank branches per 100,000 adults (49.9) are two examples of financial inclusion indicators that show some progress in increasing access to financial services, which promote stability and economic growth. Furthermore, as indicated by its growth rate (59.9) and its share of the total GDP, the tourism industry has made a moderate contribution to economic growth.