THE NIGERIAN SOCIAL ENTERPRISE SECTOR: NEGLECTED OR NON-EXISTENT?

I started this blog with the above question in my mind. And I am seeking for answers on whether the Nigerian social enterprise sector actually exists, but has been totally neglected; or it does not exist at all. So many reasons informed this pertinent question. One of such reasons is the fact that nothing is being said about the social enterprise sector at any given time since I have been studying and researching on the sector couple of years ago. Governments – federal, state and local – are quiet about it; the media show little or no knowledge about it; and the academia seem not to understand and accept it. 

I have no doubt that there is a social sector in Nigeria. And because there is a social sector, it, therefore, means there is the possibility of a social enterprise sector presence. It may have been long neglected, but it exists.

What could be the cause of the negligence of such a critical sector of the economy? 

There is a bias against the social enterprise sector mostly due to inadequate knowledge and understanding of the sector. The public, private and nonprofit sectors of the economy are given more attention and are favoured above the social enterprise sector. Public policies and economic development strategies do not recognize the existence of the sector. At the recent launch of the “Strategic ImplementationPlan for National Home-grown Feeding,” and the other five schemes that constitute the Federal Government’s Social Investment Programme (yet to be launched), there was no mentioning of the social enterprise sector either as a partner or collaborator in the implementation of the scheme. The involvement of the civil society does not mean that the social enterprise sector is involved. The social enterprise sector and civil society organizations are distinctive bodies within the social sector of the economy and do not represent each other. Failing to recognize and involve the social enterprise sector in the implementation of the Social Investment Programme of the Federal Government may limit its success and impact.

But how can the social enterprise sector be recognized and enlisted as partner and collaborator in the implementation of the social investment programme of the government when little or nothing is known about the sector? At the time of writing this article, there is no established recognition of the social enterprise sector as part of the Nigerian economic sector. The Nigerian social enterprise sector has been dormant and there is nothing indicating its eruption soon.

Considering the proposed plan of the Federal Government to diversify the economy, and its unique Social Investment Programme, there is the urgent need to activate the social enterprise sector which has the potential to transform the economy. The social enterprise sector is known for its creative, innovative and transformative approach at addressing intractable social problems in society. It is a sector of the economy that drives positive social change, inclusive growth and sustainable development. 

Though emerging, the social enterprise sector is one that creates jobs, attracts investments and helps to better our society and our environment. Across the world, social enterprises are working alongside government to tackle society’s persistent challenges, ones that are too difficult – and too important – for the public sector (and the private sector) to solve alone. And they are doing it with impressive results.

Here are ways the Nigerian social enterprise sector can be activated by the government:

1.      Identifying and recognizing the presence and importance of the social enterprise sector;

2.      Mapping social enterprises in the country;

3.      Creating an enabling environment for social entrepreneurial initiatives;

4.      Encouraging social innovations;

5.      Rewarding social initiatives for their performance;

6.      Scaling successful social initiatives; and

7.      Producing, encouraging and supporting knowledge that enhances social entrepreneurs’ efforts.

The social enterprise sector offers the government an opportunity to achieve so much with little. It offers a new source of assistance to the government in terms of social innovations and effective and efficient delivery of public services.

Neglecting the social enterprise sector will limit the chances of the government in the effective and efficient implementation of the Social Investment Programme and hence the diversification of the economy.

Now is the time to get the Nigerian social enterprise sector active, engaged and thriving for our common good.