The Impact of Transportation Infrastructure on Nigeria's Economic Development
The Impact of Transportation Infrastructure on Nigeria's Economic Development by William A. Agbigbe, Sr. MA, Southern Illinois University, 1981 BSBA, University of Missouri, 1976 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Management Walden University August 2016 Abstract The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) described Nigeria's road networks as one of the poorest and deadliest transportation infrastructural systems in the world. Data from the UNDP and the World Bank (WB) show that Nigeria has suffered transportation infrastructure deficits; these data also illustrate Nigeria as one of the lowest indices in economic development in the last decade. This qualitative case study addressed the impact of a lack of investment in transportation infrastructure in the form of road networks on Nigeria's economic development. The purpose of the study was to understand the relationship between the investment in road networks and economic development in Nigeria. The theoretical framework comprised Solow's economic growth theory and Frischmann's transportation infrastructure theory. Data were collected through personal interviews with a purposeful sample of 20 Nigerians including previous and current public and private sector transportation linked individuals directly involved in investment, management, and policy administration. Interview data were compiled and organized using qualitative software for content analysis. Recurring responses were identified and patterns and trends documented from the data. Findings revealed corruption in awarding roads contracts, lack of contracts monitoring, and inefficient governance hindering economic development in Nigeria. This study supports positive social change by informing decision makers that by investing in network of roads, that time to project completion and financial savings may promote economic development, thus improving the standard of living of Nigerians.The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) described Nigeria's road networks as one of the poorest and deadliest transportation infrastructural systems in the world. Data from the UNDP and the World Bank (WB) show that Nigeria has suffered transportation infrastructure deficits; these data also illustrate Nigeria as one of the lowest indices in economic development in the last decade. This qualitative case study addressed the impact of a lack of investment in transportation infrastructure in the form of road networks on Nigeria's economic development. The purpose of the study was to understand the relationship between the investment in road networks and economic development in Nigeria. The theoretical framework comprised Solow's economic growth theory and Frischmann's transportation infrastructure theory. Data were collected through personal interviews with a purposeful sample of 20 Nigerians including previous and current public and private sector transportation linked individuals directly involved in investment, management, and policy administration. Interview data were compiled and organized using qualitative software for content analysis. Recurring responses were identified and patterns and trends documented from the data. Findings revealed corruption in awarding roads contracts, lack of contracts monitoring, and inefficient governance hindering economic development in Nigeria. This study supports positive social change by informing decision makers that by investing in network of roads, that time to project completion and financial savings may promote economic development, thus improving the standard of living of Nigerians. The Impact of Transportation Infrastructure on Nigeria's Economic Development by William A. Agbigbe, Sr. MA, Southern Illinois University, 1981 BSBA, University of Missouri, 1976 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Management Walden University August, 2016 Dedication This doctoral study is dedicated to the loving memory of my parents, Chief Gorden Johnson Agbigbe and Madam Itoro Orru Agbigbe. They both instilled in me the value of hard work and persistence. Their kind words motivated and guided me through the course of this research. Acknowledgments With profound gratitude, I would like to thank God Almighty for giving me the fortitude to stay through the course of this PhD. My very special thanks to my committee chair, Dr. Robert DeYoung, and committee members, Dr. Godwin Igein and Dr. Salvatore Sinatra, for working with me to ensure this study met Walden University's rigorous academic requirements. I am especially grateful to my committee chair, Dr. Robert DeYoung, for his words of encouragement, telephone calls, and countless feedback. Next, I would like to thank my previous chair, Dr. Bharat Thakkar, who could not see me through due to illness, and Dr. Aqueil Ahmad, my previous committee member who left Walden University, for their dedication and advice at the early stage of the journey. Along this journey, there were some who said it could not be done and attempted to discourage me from advancing, and some who supported and offered encouragement. I say thank you. I wish to extend my gratitude to my wife, Vera Agbigbe FNP BC, my little princess, Ivie Agbigbe, and my son, Ovie Agbigbe. I wish to thank them for their support through the course of this long journey and giving me much needed inspiration and encouragement. Thank you all for your support and love.