Chinese-Nigeria Foreign Relations 2011-2015: Implication for Socio-economic Development in Nigeria

Nigeria and China established formal diplomatic ties on 10 February 1971 with an understanding to abide by a set of five principles, namely mutual respect for each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual non-aggression, non-interference in each other’s internal affairs, sovereign equality, and peaceful co-existence. But while these principles stand, critical questions are raised as to how they have created a balance especially in the area of trade and investment and its attendant socio-economic implication for development. The paper generated data only through secondary sources like published and unpublished articles, textbooks and verified internet links. Through a qualitative analysis, using the Dependency Theory, the paper explained the lopsided foreign relations between both countries and the attendant socio-economic implications it has for development. The paper asserts that one effective means to tackle trade imbalances between both countries is to introduce a cooperative mechanism that would enable Nigeria increase its export of manufactured goods to China. This indeed will help to reinvigorate development socio-economically.