The Presidency has stated that about three of the 36 states of the federation can survive without crude oil.

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Aminah Ibrahim, Presidential aide on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), gave the verdict in Abuja, at the second monthly roundtable organised by The Initiatives, a group of "cerebral federal lawmakers" committed to putting in place, proactive laws for rapid national development.

"I can tell you that less than three states, my state inclusive, can survive without oil money," she said, arguing that a country with such scenario risks perpetual underdevelopment.

Ibrahim warned that Vision 2020 could turn another mirage, as was Vision 2010, unless governments at the states and local councils tap into their areas of "competitive advantages," and invest on human resources.

Ibrahim said Nigeria is "still off the tracks" on many of MDGs goals, especially in the health sector, and urged governments to be more proactive in their pursuit of survival.

"Nigeria can still achieve the MDGs and the Vision 2020, because we have the resources. But we need to go further than just hoping it," she told a gathering of federal legislators, top civil servants and members of the diplomatic corps.

"We must put in place the microeconomic framework. We can get there, but sustaining our success is more important. This is why everybody should be concerned with the agenda and that is where the development of human resources comes in," she said.