We speak of the world becoming a global village and how interdependent we really should be. In economics, we talk about having a comparative advantage and turning this into a competitive advantage while at the same time seeking ways to trade with our neighbours, far and near. But what happens when the country one is depending on for raw materials or specific services faces upheavals that force it to take actions that are not in the interest of neighbour states or countries? Then, such dependence becomes a disadvantage.

I alluded to this fact during my panel discussion at the Oxford Africa Business Forum about two weeks ago. As a continent, Africa needs to tip the dependence needle in its own favour by investing more in development within the continent. Of course, Africa is not a country, so the individual national and sub national governments need to find ways of ensuring that the region gets the needed development.

This is why, in Oyo State, we are working to achieve sustainable development. This development has a real cost. Yes, we have the budgetary allocation, but the real cost includes “the efforts and sacrifices” one has to make to produce a desired output. So, as an example, we are constructing a road, but the real cost includes sacrifices that have to be made, sometimes by people who had built houses that are now in the setback. The houses need to be removed. Yes, we will pay compensation, but these people are making sacrifices. This sacrifice counts towards the real cost of development.

If Africa, Nigeria, and indeed Oyo State are to make meaningful progress, then we should be ready to pay this real cost. We should not allow selfishness or the need to have our own way to stop us from creating room for development.