SOUTH-SOUTH CO-OPERATION AND NIGERIA-BRAZIL ECONOMIC RELATIONS; 1999-2012
ABSTRACT
During the last two decades, there have been an accumulation of development experience and wisdom in developing countries as many have developed substantial knowledge and acquired capacity and experience in science and technology development and environmental management. This has engendered the potential for experience sharing among the South and development-replicating values through South- South Cooperation has resulted in mutually beneficial bilateral relationships. Extant studies either dwelt on South-South cooperation in generic terms or dealt with bilateral relations among countries of the South in a disparate manner. This study therefore focused on Nigeria-Brazil bilateral relations within the context of South-South cooperation. The study posed the following question; has the Nigeria-Brazil bilateral relations within the context of South-South cooperation enhance economic development in Nigeria? The qualitative descriptive research method and ex-post-facto research design were employed, while the theory of developmental state guided the analysis. It found that, Patronage and political interference by the elites which resulted in low-productive activities is being sustained with large welfare losses as a consequence. The inefficiency and careless attitudes of the Nigerian political leaders have brought about consistent failure of industrial policies since independence till date; and that the participation of the Brazilian National Oil Company (Petrobras) in the Nigerian oil industry failed to improve the low indigenous capacity for oil exploration, production and refining activities. It therefore recommended among others, the diversification of Nigeria’s trade away from oil to an increased drive towards industrialization and local value addition to Nigeria’s primary exports; and strives towards the developmental state.