An Economist, Biodun Adedipe, says one of the major ways of engendering developments in Nigeria is by creating jobs within the country and not offshore.

He said that the country had recorded economic growth of about 6.7% in the last 11 years but without development.

He said that “if investors come into Nigeria and invest their money, jobs will be created and the growth of the economy will involve more people”.

Speaking on Channels Television’s breakfast programme, Sunrise Daily, Mr Adedipe said ahead of the 2015 elections, the economy will not grow at the pace Nigerians expected it to grow because of possible halt in reforms and divided attentions due to the elections.

Mr. Adedipe mentioned that in 2001 and 2004 the economic forecast was reviewed which brought about the 11 countries as the next big economic leaders which Nigeria is amongst. He also stated that Nigeria was raising more millionaires than before, a development that had put the nation amongst the millionaire countries according to the global survey that was conducted recently.

In terms of policy, Mr Adedipe said that the responsibility was on the government to respond appropriately to the needs of the people.

“The nation is competing with the rest of the world for resources and there must be adequate planning to help keep investors in the country and prevent them from investing in rival countries,” he said.

He advised that the government should speed up reforms in the country, as the other MINT countries – Mexico, Indonesia and Turkey- had better attraction to investors because of good governance and reforms.