Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and Socio-Economic Development of Nigeria

Abstract

The work investigated the impact of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) on the social and economic development of Nigeria. Although this is a multilateral Forum involving African countries, this paper justified its focus on a country by arguing that it is only the concrete cases of individual countries that successes or failures of such platforms can be measured. Using qualitative analysis and, therefore, drawing from secondary sources, and essentially descriptive in nature, the paper was anchored on soft power and neo-liberalist theories. It examined China’s role in FOCAC and the nature of the relationship with Nigeria. It interrogated the mutuality of benefits, and the dividends for Nigeria using the socio-economic variables of trade, investment infrastructure and human resource development. It found out that while changes in the socio-economic variables have occurred in the relations between China and Nigeria, data presented showed no mutuality. While expanded market and raw material access were found to be the force driving China-Nigeria engagements, and which she has got abundantly, the critically needed technology transfer from China by Nigeria, is not happening. It was also found out that the rise of Chinese companies in Nigeria has not significantly affected positively the labour market as most of the employments are temporal. Notwithstanding the prima facie inequality between Nigeria and China, the research above all blamed the state of affairs on failure institutions in Nigeria as a sovereign state that make agreements, enforce them in tandem with her developmental agenda. Based on the findings, it recommended, above all, the strengthening of relevant institutions charged with the responsibility of supervising and enforcing national and international rules and regulations that will enhance thorough check of Chinese engagements in the country.