Selective Cooperation in the Global South: Implications for Nigeria’s International Economic Relations, 2000 – 2010.

Abstract

Given that the ‘developed’ North has vigorously resisted the relinquishing of its greatest weapon of global dominance – International Economic Control Mechanisms (IECMs), South – South Cooperation (SSC) was birthed as an alternative development pathway for the countries of the global South. It has metamorphosed from being interested in geo-politics and opposition to imperialism, global racism, colonialism and the cold war, to emphasis on geo-economics and political economy. However, the emergence of new economic behemoths such as India, Brazil, South Africa among others, are beginning to reconfigure and reshape the contours of South-South Cooperation vis a vis their increasing economic and political clout. This has led to cases of selective cooperation in the global South; such as the India- Brazil – South Africa (IBSA) Dialogue Forum; Brazil – Russia – China – South Africa (BRICS) Forum. While these selective alliances have had significant benefits for the cooperating parties, Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy is yet to be identified with this emerging trend on the South – South Cooperation (SSC) architecture; apart from being projected by Jim O'Neill along with Mexico, Indonesia and Turkey as the next potential investment destination (The so–called MINT emerging economies). This study therefore discusses selective cooperation in the global South and how it has impacted on Nigeria’s international economic relations, 2000 - 2010. The study adopted the thematic and analytical methods of Historical research while data for the study came largely through secondary sources. The position of the study is that Nigeria needs to overhaul and re-enact her SSC strategies to guarantee entry into selective alliances which have shown mutual benefits for the partners. Recommendations on how to go about in achieving this objective is made in the study

Keywords: Selective Cooperation, Global South, Nigeria’s International Economic Relations, South – South Cooperation.