POLITICS OF FOREIGN AID AND DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA: FOCUS ON NIGERIA

Abstract

Africa occupies a worrisome position in the global development configuration. There are diverse opinions about factors responsible for the status of African nations in development ladder in the world. However, the interdependence of countries necessitates the granting of aid to African countries in order to enhance development and promote economic growth. This study examines the politics of foreign aid and development in Africa focusing on Nigeria. It interrogates the implication of foreign aid on developmentand the politics behind granting of aid by the developed nations to Nigeria. The study is a qualitative research which relies on secondary sources of data collection. The data collected are analyzed using content analysis. The study is anchored on dependency theory and argues that, foreign aid perpetuate western domination and interference in domestic affairs of Nigeria. It reveals that foreign aid has not enhanced development in Nigeria due to certain factors that are germane. It shows that foreign aid focus is often on macro-economic indicators which do not fairly represent the realities of poverty and suffering of citizens in Nigeria. The study concludes that development of nations is essentially but not exclusively,endogenous and therefore Nigerian leaders must do away with those factors that undermine development. Over-dependency on aid does not guarantee development rather continuous impoverishment and lack of independence on economic matters of the nation-state. The study recommends that Nigeria has the abundant resources both human and material, and therefore, should not rely on foreign aid for development and cushioning of poverty. Also, the leaders should be proactive and transparent in policy formulation and implementation geared towards development.