Governance and Growth in Nigeria: Examining the Competing Bilateral Economic Relationships Among Nigeria, China and the United States, 2001-2011

The dissertation explores the role of governance in Nigeria's recent economic growth during the time frame of 2001-2011. The study also examines Nigeria's economic relationship with America vis-a-vis China's economic relationship with the country and primarily, how China and the United States' foreign policies factor into their decisions on foreign aid and trade. This study hypothesizes that if Nigeria's good governance index increases, then Nigeria's economic growth will also increase from 2001 to 2011. Additionally, if aid and trade from and with China and the United States to Nigeria increases, then Nigeria's economic growth will increase from 2001 to 2011. To test these claims, a mixed methodology is employed. The quantitative portion analyzes the overall gross domestic product (GDP) of Nigeria and how it is affected by the United States' and China's overall trade relationship with Nigeria and the amount of aid given to Nigeria by the United States and China respectively. The qualitative portion of the methodology consists of primary data from 12 expert interviews through the administration of a questionnaire to Nigerian, Chinese and American participants in government, academia and financial organizations. The secondary data was collected from books, scholarly journals, government reports, specialized websites, and other published materials. The data collected were systematically analyzed, and the findings are documented in this dissertation, followed by detailed discussions, implications and recommendations.