ASSESSMENT OF NIGERIA-BRAZIL TRADE RELATIONS, 1999-2017.

This study examines various aspects of trade relations between Nigeria and Brazil, from 1999 to 2017. The study has both broad and specific objectives, the broad objective of this study is to examine the pattern of trade relations between Nigeria and Brazil from 1999 to 2017, and to find out if Nigeria and Brazil economic relations enhanced the economic development of Nigeria within the periods under study. The problem identified by the researcher include: the mono cultured pattern of trading product by Nigeria to Brazil, importation of goods that we as nations are endowed with and not maximizing our hegemonic power within the West Africa region. The theoretical framework for the analysis of Nigeria and Brazil economic relations between 1999 and 2017 was rooted on the Functionalist theory, this is because it enables us to assess the economic cooperation and integration between both countries, which data gathered showed that Nigeria and Brazil economic relations have enhanced economic development in Nigeria within the periods under study. The method of data collection for this study is primary and secondary, primary data was collected through structured interview while secondary data comprise documentary evidence that deals with Nigeria -Brazil relations. We heavily relied on secondary sources such as books, journals, articles, periodical, government reports and publications, magazines, unpublished manuscript, commentaries, and conference papers and supplementary primary data. Again, we relied essentially on descriptive and analytical method of data analysis in this study. We also use simple percentages and tables graphs to buttress the arguments in this study. The work discovered that trade relations between Nigeria and Brazil was financially in favour of Nigeria but Nigeria is at disadvantage position in term of technological advancement because it exports only one product to Brazil and in turn, imports diversified products from Brazil, these narrative shows that Nigeria industrial sector which are vested with the task of producing those products imported are dormant. The research also shows that dependency on finished product is characteristic of the Nigeria’s economy and in order to enhance Nigeria economic the countries has to fully harness its potentials both natural endowed and intellectual capabilities to be able to attain growth like Brazil. In assessment of Nigeria and Brazil trade relations it is imperative to note that both countries has symbiotic relationship, they also have in common abundance of raw materials, a vital resources base for which they need technology to explore and develop, but it obvious that Brazil had harnessed these potentials industrially, while Nigeria is struggling to attain advancement in the industrial sector. However this work is bent on unraveling the challenges militating this attainment and further suggest the ways forward.