Nigeria’s Position in the International Division of Labour andthePolitics of Economic Dependency.

Abstract

This paper examined Nigeria’s position in the international division of labour and the politics of its economic dependency. Specifically, it examined Nigeria’s position in the international division of labour;
analysed the political and economic forces sustaining dependency; assessed efforts to promote economic diversification, industrialisation and value addition; and examined the prospects for reducing Nigeria’s
economic dependency. The paper adopted a qualitative methodology based on secondary data. DependencyTheory provided the theoretical framework for the study. The findings revealed that Nigeria occupies a
largely peripheral position in the international division of labour, characterised by dependence on the export of primary commodities, particularly crude oil, and imports of manufactured goods, technology andcapital. The study further found that rent-seeking politics, weak industrial capacity, import dependence, external economic relations and inconsistent policy implementation continue to sustain dependency. Although efforts towards diversification, industrialisation and value addition have recorded some progress, their impact remains limited by structural and institutional constraints. The study concludes that reducingNigeria’s economic dependency requires sustained industrialisation, technological development, domestic value addition, stronger state capacity and consistent economic policies capable of transforming Nigeria’s position within the global economy.