A historical survey of the strategic dimensions in Nigeria-Brazil relations during the oil boom year

Abstract

This paper examines the socio-cultural and economic peculiarities which necessitated Nigeria-Brazil relations since Nigeria’s independence in October 1960. However, the emasculation of the Nigerian economy, which was not unconnected with the way it was integrated into the global economy as a subordinate player, constituted a severe hindrance to Nigeria’s objective to embark on the dismantling of colonialism in the African continent. This paper tries to historicize the changes which took place in Nigeria-Brazil relations, absence of valuable resource endowments by Nigeria in the international market led to Brazil shrugging off of Nigeria’s call for the liberation of Africa from the vestige of colonialism especially over Portugal and South Africa. This paper investigates whether Strategic economic importance of Nigeria was more compelling than diplomatic necessity to Brazil. The paper, reveals that change in Brazil's Africa policy became necessary not because Brazil wanted to enjoy comprehensive policy autonomy that was devoid of external manipulations, but because of her Strategic interests in Africa. These interests were almost jeopardized by economic and political leverage, which the quadrupling of crude oil prices in the international market in the 1970s bestowed on Nigeria as a Continental power with substantial influence. In its conclusion this paper revealed that the economic interests of Brazil superseded her diplomatic engagement with Nigeria; and that economic objectives shaped the dimension of Brazil’s relations with Nigeria.