nigeria’s political economy and development by nicole burchette and daniel meier
TRANSCRIPT
Nigeria’s Political Economy and Development
Nigeria’s Political Economy and Development
By Nicole Burchette and Daniel Meier
By Nicole Burchette and Daniel Meier
Nigerian State and Economy
Nigerian State and Economy
The Nigerian state controls much of the extraction, deployment, and allocation of scarce economic resources.
This led to massive amounts of corruption within the government. Corruption became an integral part of Nigeria ユ s government for decades.
A large part of Nigerian corruption was the rent system. Most of the money made by the Nigerian government is channeled through the bureaucracy of the government.
The money that gets allotted to different parts of the government are known as rents. The rents usually go to government contractors, who often get the job through connections.
This leaves about 70% of the Nigerian population without such advantages, suffering in poverty.
These people often make their livings on petty trade and subsistence agricultural. This is called the informal sector of the economy. It is estimated that about 20% of the Nigerian GDP is made up of this informal sector.
The Nigerian state controls much of the extraction, deployment, and allocation of scarce economic resources.
This led to massive amounts of corruption within the government. Corruption became an integral part of Nigeria ユ s government for decades.
A large part of Nigerian corruption was the rent system. Most of the money made by the Nigerian government is channeled through the bureaucracy of the government.
The money that gets allotted to different parts of the government are known as rents. The rents usually go to government contractors, who often get the job through connections.
This leaves about 70% of the Nigerian population without such advantages, suffering in poverty.
These people often make their livings on petty trade and subsistence agricultural. This is called the informal sector of the economy. It is estimated that about 20% of the Nigerian GDP is made up of this informal sector.
Shift of EconomyShift of Economy
During the end of its colonial period and shortly after, the Nigerian economy was heavily dependent upon agriculture. Agricultural products were both exported and consumed domestically.
Beginning in the 1960s, the focus of the Nigerian economy shifted to the large scale industrial production of non-food goods. This was attractive to the government, because it involved large amounts of money being spent by the companies there, and created jobs.
Many farms were bought up in order to build factories, which proved to be a critical blow to Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
Many farms were bought up in order to build factories, which proved to be a critical blow to Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
During the end of its colonial period and shortly after, the Nigerian economy was heavily dependent upon agriculture. Agricultural products were both exported and consumed domestically.
Beginning in the 1960s, the focus of the Nigerian economy shifted to the large scale industrial production of non-food goods. This was attractive to the government, because it involved large amounts of money being spent by the companies there, and created jobs.
Many farms were bought up in order to build factories, which proved to be a critical blow to Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
Many farms were bought up in order to build factories, which proved to be a critical blow to Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
Dependency on OilDependency on Oil
Nigeria’s most lucrative resource is oil. Due to its profitability, many people were drawn to Nigeria to exploit its resources and economically desperate government
By the mid 70s, Nigeria ’s economy had shifted its focus to petroleum production and exportation.
While oil resources worked out in the short run, the economy eventually became dependent on money from oil, leading to dramatic economic failure.
Since the early 1970s, Nigeria ’s economy is about 90% dependent on oil production and exportation.
This, along with rampant corruption, and presidents siphoning billions of dollars of state funds for their own pockets, created many difficult problems for Nigeria’s government and economy.
Nigeria’s most lucrative resource is oil. Due to its profitability, many people were drawn to Nigeria to exploit its resources and economically desperate government
By the mid 70s, Nigeria ’s economy had shifted its focus to petroleum production and exportation.
While oil resources worked out in the short run, the economy eventually became dependent on money from oil, leading to dramatic economic failure.
Since the early 1970s, Nigeria ’s economy is about 90% dependent on oil production and exportation.
This, along with rampant corruption, and presidents siphoning billions of dollars of state funds for their own pockets, created many difficult problems for Nigeria’s government and economy.
Economic ReformEconomic Reform
In 1985, Nigeria’s government seemed to be taking a turn for the better for one last time. Many anticipated the induction of Ibrahim Babangida, who promised to reform Nigeria ’s economy for the better.
He implemented an economic structural adjustment program (SAP). This was largely supported by the World Bank.
Another integral piece of the new economic plan was privatization, primarily of the oil industry. During the oil boom, the government took control of much of the oil industry. This led to extreme amounts of corruption, proving the union between oil and government to be messy.
The government involved itself in the oil industry through para-statals, which are enterprises owned by the state.
In 1985, Nigeria’s government seemed to be taking a turn for the better for one last time. Many anticipated the induction of Ibrahim Babangida, who promised to reform Nigeria ’s economy for the better.
He implemented an economic structural adjustment program (SAP). This was largely supported by the World Bank.
Another integral piece of the new economic plan was privatization, primarily of the oil industry. During the oil boom, the government took control of much of the oil industry. This led to extreme amounts of corruption, proving the union between oil and government to be messy.
The government involved itself in the oil industry through para-statals, which are enterprises owned by the state.
Outcome of ReformOutcome of Reform
The Babangida government fell prey to the same issues
that plagued earlier governments, leading Nigeria
through much economic stress during the 80s and 90s.
In 1994, the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) was
founded. The goal of this group was to resolve Nigeria
’s economic issues in an organized, rational manner.
In 1999, Olusegun Obasanjo took office, with familiar
promises of economic prosperity and reform. He fell
short of the vast majority of his promises, leaving
the Nigerian economy in as bad a shape as it was in
prior.
The Babangida government fell prey to the same issues
that plagued earlier governments, leading Nigeria
through much economic stress during the 80s and 90s.
In 1994, the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) was
founded. The goal of this group was to resolve Nigeria
’s economic issues in an organized, rational manner.
In 1999, Olusegun Obasanjo took office, with familiar
promises of economic prosperity and reform. He fell
short of the vast majority of his promises, leaving
the Nigerian economy in as bad a shape as it was in
prior.
Ethnic and Religious Diversity
Ethnic and Religious Diversity
Promotes competition and increases the hostility between different groups
Overwhelming poverty contributes to the constant conflicts
Dominance of Hausa-Fulani, Igbo, and Yoruba Undefined structure of government allows
for corruption and bias Battle of Muslim vs. Christian “Guns, Germs,and Steel” by Jared Diamond This differences between societies reflects
their environment
Promotes competition and increases the hostility between different groups
Overwhelming poverty contributes to the constant conflicts
Dominance of Hausa-Fulani, Igbo, and Yoruba Undefined structure of government allows
for corruption and bias Battle of Muslim vs. Christian “Guns, Germs,and Steel” by Jared Diamond This differences between societies reflects
their environment
Government TacticsGovernment Tactics
Earlier military governments attempted to maintain balance
In the 1980’s the Babangida regime was northern dominated and that opened doors for future corruption
Abacha’s regime also leaned towards the north
Many attacks against civilians from the south
Detained activists and closed universitiesPolice brutality against southern ethnic groups
Earlier military governments attempted to maintain balance
In the 1980’s the Babangida regime was northern dominated and that opened doors for future corruption
Abacha’s regime also leaned towards the north
Many attacks against civilians from the south
Detained activists and closed universitiesPolice brutality against southern ethnic groups
Movement for the Survival of the Ogondi
People (MOSOP)
Movement for the Survival of the Ogondi
People (MOSOP)Organized by the writer and environmentalist Saro-Wiwa
Ogondi people were brutalized after protesting about the oil revenues
Self-determination: increased local political autonomy and national political representation
Inspired many other groups to push for their rights
Organized by the writer and environmentalist Saro-Wiwa
Ogondi people were brutalized after protesting about the oil revenues
Self-determination: increased local political autonomy and national political representation
Inspired many other groups to push for their rights
Role of WomenRole of Women
Dominate agricultural productionAlthough women have economic importance that does not reflect very much in politics
Women’s associations in the past were based on more domestic issues, and not politics
Only 8 of 469 legislators are women
Dominate agricultural productionAlthough women have economic importance that does not reflect very much in politics
Women’s associations in the past were based on more domestic issues, and not politics
Only 8 of 469 legislators are women