Nigeria-Thailand Trade Relations and Economic Development in Nigeria, 2015-2023

ABSTRACT The bilateral trade relationship between Thailand and Nigeria has been established for over four decades and has shown potential for economic development in both countries. However, despite the existence of diplomatic ties and different trade policies between the two countries, limited research has been conducted on the actual impact of these relations on economic development in Nigeria. Against this backdrop, this study examines corruption’s effects on Nigeria’s economic growth between 2015 and 2023. In doing this, the study was guided by the following research questions: (1). Did Nigeria-Thailand diplomatic relations enhance Nigeria’s crude oil export between 2015 and 2023? (2). How does Nigeria’s closure of the land border against the importation of Thai rice account for the surge in local rice production between 2015 and 2023? To empirically interrogate these research questions, the study was anchored on the documentary method as the method of data generation basically from secondary sources. The study also adopted the ex post facto research design. Our data analysis methods were based on content analysis and the qualitative method. Based on the core assumptions of the Economic Nationalism theory, the outcomes of this research contribute to the existing literature on international relations and economic development. By examining the case of Nigeria and Thailand, policymakers, scholars, and business communities can gain insights into the dynamics of bilateral relations and draw lessons for fostering sustainable economic partnerships. Keywords: Nigeria-Thailand trade relations; Economic Development; Local rice production; Economic nationalism theory