Topic: Steps needed to meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)
Country: Nigeria
Delegate Name: John Bradtke
School: Mattawan High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Nigeria position papers GLIMUN 2013 committees
The United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals are certainly aimed at aiding in the development of all nations, however, nations considered the Least Developed Countries may not be able to meet all of the Millennium Development Goals due to economic or social difficulties. The international community in general, has made great strides towards meeting these Millennium Development Goals, however the 2015 deadline is looming and there are still many aspects of these goals that some nations may struggle to meet. Nigeria is an example of one of these nations, as the situation within Nigeria may need more time and resources than are currently available in order to meet all eight objectives of the Millennium Development Goals.
Unfortunately, the idea of having all nations meet all of the Millennium Development Goals by the year of 2015 may be impossible. Nigeria is currently struggling with issues of education, gender equality, and environmental sustainability. In the education field, Nigeria’s overall literacy rate is low with only 61.3% of the population being literate. Education on average is only nine years, also quite low compared to other nations. With the issue of equality, Nigeria struggles as well. Males receive more education and are often times more literate as a result. As far as environmental sustainability, Nigeria has made no strides whatsoever as they receive 0% of energy from renewable sources. Three important parts of the Millennium Development Goals that Nigeria can not conquer by 2015 on its own.
Since the aspiration of having all nations in accordance with the Millennium Development Goals is not possible, Nigeria stands with the belief that priority should be given to certain Millennium Development Goals over others. The most important of these goals for Nigeria would be the eradication of disease, in particular HIV/AIDS. Nigeria’s population has approximately 3.3 million people living with HIV or AIDS, and has about 220,000 deaths per year from these same diseases. Nigeria only has 0.395 physicians per 1,000 citizens, so healthcare and disease education is very sparse. Having more preventative measures in place to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS and deadly disease is Nigeria’s best bet at meeting what may be the most important Development Goal.
