Post-Colonialism and the Political Economy of Development in Nigeria: A Revisit

Abstract

This paper undertakes a trenchant critique of the persisting developmental challenges besetting Nigeria, arguably, Africa’s largest economy, situating them within the dialectical framework of colonial and neo-colonial legacies, as well as the internal governance dynamics, alongside an exploration of extrinsic global economic structures. The paper, through an interdisciplinary lens, synthesises historical, political, and economic analyses of developmental issues confronting Nigeria. The paper critically revisits the extant literature on the legacy of colonialism for stunted growth and exacerbated poverty in Nigeria today. The paper also examined internal problems ranging from endemic corruption and governance deficits to significant impediments in policy decisions which continue to reinforce dependency whilst undermining the broad goals of economic development which Nigeria aspires towards. A bulk of existing studies have solely focused on isolated aspects or propose superficial solutions, neglecting the nuanced interplay between these factors. This study fills this lacuna, combining qualitative and quantitative data, in providing a comprehensive understanding of Nigeria’s developmental debacle. This is then followed up with contextualised and sustainable recommendations. By and large, the findings of the study contribute to the ongoing discourse on post-colonial development, offering novel insights for scholars, policymakers and development practitioners seeking to address the complexities of Nigeria’s underdevelopment.