The Minister of National Planning, Dr. Shamsudeen Usman, has expressed fear that the country may not attain its developmental aspiration as outlined in the Vision 2020 document.
Usman said the desire for Nigeria to be among the top 20 most developed economies in the year 2020 was unlikely to be achieved as planned.
The minister made this observation in Abuja late on Tuesday while presenting his scorecard to the Peoples Democratic Party’s National Working Committee.
He also blamed the crisis in the power sector on the over 30 years of military rule, which he said relegated planning to the background.
The minister said when the government started the documentation of Vision 2020 in 2009, Nigeria was number 44 on the list of developed economies, adding that if by 2020 the nation rose to number 25, he would be a proud man.
Usman said, “Where were we in 2009? We were number 44. By the end of 2011, we were number 39; by the end of 2012, we were in number 36; this is progress.
“We made quite a lot of progress. In other areas, we did not. I don’t want any of you to meet me in 2020 and say you are the one telling us that we are going to be among the top 20.
“But what I am saying is that even if we are not among the 20 by that time, we were number 44 in 2009. If by 2020 we are number 25, I will be a very proud man.
“The reason is because we are consciously moving and doing all the necessary things to move up there.
“It is not saying we must be there. What it is saying is if we get there, then, these are the actions we must need to take as a country.”
