The experience of imperialism and underdevelopment in Nigeria: A literature perspective

Abstract

This paper critically highlights and analyse how imperialism under developed Africa with particular reference to Nigeria from the neo-Marxist theories of imperialism and using dependency theory as the theoretical framework. It states that the third world countries were underdeveloped because of their forceful incorporation into the global capitalist economy. Under the maxim of development of underdevelopment, which was necessitated by the twin relationships which transcend decades as plausible reasons for underdevelopment. The paper adopts an empirical survey method based on information documented over the years on the subject matter. A critique of imperialism as the bane of African (Nigeria) underdevelopment was made and recommendations were offered on how Nigerian’s present conditions of underdevelopment will be ameliorated. The study recommends a general attitudinal change by both the citizens as well as the government, more so, there should be morally upright in whatever the government does, there should also be economy diversification as well as infrastructural development.