Yetunde, Omotuyi OpeyemiOmotuyi, Opeyemi Yetunde2021-08-302021-08-302020https://hdl.handle.net/10539/31537A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), School of Law Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2020There is growing inequality in many countries around the world, and particularly in Nigeria. Recognising this global challenge, the United Nations agreed to seventeen sustainable development goals in 2015. As part of a global agenda to tackle inequality and promote inclusive development, the United Nations agreed to a specific goal to reduce inequalities among and within countries. To enable effective implementation, the United Nations calls for a global partnership, involving the public and private sector, in the achievement of the goals. This thesis highlights the state of economic inequality in Nigeria. In so doing, the thesis finds that the high rate of inequality in Nigeria is mostly as a result of poor social spending on the part of government, as well as adverse corporate impacts, resulting in poor social opportunities and outcomes for citizens. Furthermore, the thesis analysed Nigeria’s legal and regulatory provisions on issues of inequality, highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of the laws. The thesis finds that these laws are grossly inadequate to address the inequality challenges in Nigeria, and a complementary approach to address these challenges is needed. Since the thesis finds a significant increase in the growth of investment funds in Nigeria over the last decade, the thesis proposes the Nigerian Fund Management Industry as an avenue for improving the state of economic inequality in Nigeria, through the implementation of the principles for responsible investmentenUCTDECONOMIC INEQUALITYFUND MANAGEMENT INDUSTRYINCLUSIVE DEVELOPMENTNIGERIASDG-8: Decent work and economic growthSDG-10: Reduced inequalitiesThesisUniversity of the Witswatersrand, Johannesburg