CHINA NIGERIA TRADE RELATIONS AND THE BENEFIT FOR NIGERIA

China’s growing economic influence in Africa has reshaped trade and investment flows, with Nigeria emerging as a key partner over the last decade. As Africa’s largest economy, Nigeria’s engagement with China between 2010 and 2020 has had far reaching implications for industrial growth, infrastructure development and economic diversification. While existing studies have largely emphasized trade volumes, less attention has been given to assessing the broader benefits and challenges of this partnership. This study investigated the economic gains Nigeria has derived from China and Nigeria trade relations, with a view to examining the impact on the transportation, manufacturing and energy sectors, assessing the economic benefits of ChinaNigeria’s trade relations, identifying the benefitting sectors of ChinaNigeria’s trade and examining the maximisation of the trade relations. Descriptive design was adopted. Primary data from interviews with policymakers and business stakeholders and secondary data sourced from trade reports and policy documents were collected. Dependency Theory by Raul Prebisch served as the framework. Data were subjected to descriptive analysis. Chinese have funded infrastructure projects such as railways, highways and power plants. These have improved logistics, created jobs and facilitated technology transfer to Nigeria’s economy. Persistent trade imbalances, debt sustainability concerns and regulatory weaknesses were marked as major challenges in the trade relationship. The study recommends stronger trade policies, regulatory reforms and capacity building measures to maximise the benefits of the partnership and ensure long term sustainability. keywords: ChinaAfrica relations, NigeriaChina relations, bilateral trade, foreign direct investment, sustainable development Word count: 230