International financial institutions and the development of Nigeria

Abstract

The study investigated the existing relationship between International Financial Institutions concerning the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, African Development Bank, and the development of Nigeria. The historical design was used to organize and analyze secondary data derived from books, articles, official journals of international financial institutions, government/official documents and internet sources related to the problem of the study. The study adopted the Modernization theory of development as its theoretical framework in explaining Nigeria's development from the perspective of her affiliation with the international financial institutions (Bretton Woods Institutions and African Development Bank)'s loan policies and initiatives and their implications for Nigeria's development. The findings revealed that the policies and initiatives of the Bretton Woods Institutions and African Development Bank influenced the Nigeria development project, which has resulted in the constant granting of loans to Nigeria. Based on the findings, the study recommends that the Nigerian government should quickly look inward at other internally generated revenues from custom duties, sales of crude oil, sales of refined crude (Petro), maritime and other agricultural products' revenues and re-channel them towards Nigeria's development instead of wholly depending on loans and otherwise set up independent, as well as strong institutions to oversee and manage funds from foreign loans to avoid mismanagement and diversification that may lead Nigeria into more foreign debts thereby further retarding development in Nigeria.