Nigeria and Canada Bilateral Relations on Economic and Socio-political Relations

Abstract

Nigeria and Canada established bilateral relations two years after Nigeria's independence. The two countries have engaged in political, economic and social relations overtime. The study examined the objectives of Nigeria and Canada bilateral relations, the dimension and impact of such relations on both countries, especially in the areas of trade and investment, political interest and social connections. Qualitative research method was employed in the study and data were sourced from secondary sources. Findings from the study confirmed that the bilateral relation between Nigeria and Canada is a progressive one but it revealed that such relationship has benefitted Canada more than Nigeria because the latter is facing more internal development challenges including corruption, bad leadership, weak economy and dilapidated social infrastructures amongst others. The study concluded that the above internal development challenges have greatly disarticulated Nigeria's economy and prevented her from benefitting maximally from the Nigeria – Canada bilateral relations. It is recommended that issues of corruption, import-oriented economy and over-concentration on crude oil which are among the primary causes of the lull in the Nigeria economy should be urgently addressed.