History

Nigeria’s trade dynamics have historically been defined by an interesting mix of export and import dependence. On the export side, Nigeria has been reliant on the export of crude oil for between 80 – 90% of its export earnings, a significant portion of government revenue, and a critical source of foreign exchange. On the import side, Nigeria has been dependent on the import of refined petroleum products for its energy supply, as well as various food products and manufactured goods. The former “oil economy” used to enjoy a substantial trade surplus driven by its oil exports although this fluctuated with terms of trade linked to the global price of oil, and to varying domestic production and output.

The Nigeria – Ghana rivalry has been going on for as long as both countries have existed, the British colonized both countries, leaving them with similar political ideologies and systems of Governance. Nigeria and Ghana are the most knitted emotionally, culturally, commercially, and otherwise in the whole of Africa. In fact, it is difficult to differentiate a Ghanaian from a Nigerian even among fellow West Africans, so the competition between the two nations is like what is obtainable in a big African family tree where everyone jostles to outsmart the other.  

read more…