CHINA IN AFRICA: A CRITICAL EXAMINATION OF THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC CONSEQUENCES OF NIGERIA–CHINA TRADE RELATIONS

This study critically examines the socio-economic consequences of Nigeria China trade relations within the broader context of China's growing influence in Africa. Using a qualitative approach supplemented by secondary data, the research explores how Nigeria's economic engagement with China has shaped industrial growth, infrastructure development, foreign investment, and employment. The study highlights that while Nigeria has benefitted from infrastructural expansion and increased trade volumes, the relationship has also generated concerns about trade imbalance, debt dependency, and the decline of local industries due to the influx of cheap Chinese goods. Furthermore, the study underscores the political implications of Nigeria's dependence on Chinese technology, credit facilities, and market structures, which affect its economic sovereignty. The research concludes that Nigeria's trade relations with China present both opportunities and challenges. It recommends the adoption of policies that encourage local industrialization, fair trade agreements, and transparent loan management to maximize the benefits of the partnership while mitigating its adverse socio-economic consequences.