2021 LANDSCAPE

PIND’s work and results in 2021 were met with various economic, political, security, and social factors throughout Nigeria —from local to national, positive to negative.

ECONOMIC

Stimulus measures and the reopening of borders by the Federal Government of Nigeria

Reduced federal resource allocation to States due to fluctuating revenue and rising debt

Highly muted spending on productive activities and capital projects by the region’s state governments

Restricted movement of goods and services in the South East due to Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) stay-at-home order

Slow economic recovery from the COVID-19 impact and rising unemployment

The rise in agricultural inputs, technologies, and production costs caused by persistent inflation

Reduced purchasing power and shrunk profit margins for smallholder farmers (SHFs) and businesses arising from the high inflation rate (17.25%)

The lower average number of farming cycles and slower technology adoption in the aquaculture, agriculture, and poultry value chains

Tax burdens adversely affecting micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSME) growth

Investors’ disinterest in renewable energy solutions in under-served coastal communities due to slow return on investment

POLITICAL

Renewed interest in regional cooperation and collective development agenda by South/South State governments signaled by the revival of the moribund BRACED Commission

More politicking and reduced governance as Nigeria's 2023 general elections draw nearer

SECURITY

Increase in lethal violence, driven by the outbreak of additional security issues, and the emergence of new conflict actors

Increase in criminality and separatist agitation by 87% and 573% respectively in 2021 compared to 2020 - more than 800 and 140 fatalities.

Passage of anti-open grazing laws by seven (7) states in the region due to persistent herders-farmers clash

SOCIAL

Passage of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) for good governance, best practices, and ease of doing business in the oil and gas sector in Nigeria

Lack of access to arable farmlands for smallholder farmers (SHFs) who are critical to Nigeria's economy and food security

Prevailing social norms of husbands preventing wives from participating in capacity building and income-generating opportunities