NIGERIA’S DEVELOPMENT AND GLOBALIZATION [A CASE STUDY OF AKWA IBOM STATE (1987-2010)]

This study is designed to examine globalization and Nigeria’s development using Akwa Ibom State as a case study (1987-2010). The study investigates the submission of two schools of thought. The anti-globalization posits that it is the “mother” of the world’s ills. That it has widened the gap between the haves and have nots and viewed globalization as a paradigm set up by North to perpetuate their economic dominance of the South. Conclusively, sees no opportunity for Nigeria and of course Akwa Ibom State benefiting from it. This study reveals that the drawn conclusion was predicated to the period they reported on and moreover they failed to take cognizance of the fact that globalization is a process and as such dynamic. The proponents of globalization see it as the panacea for most of the world’s challenges and submitted that globalization has led to the prosperity of many overtime, thereby raising the living standard of many people. That it has opened many opportunities giving new power to good and bad. Finally, it is submitted that the merits of globalization have outweighed the demerits hence Nigeria and Akwa Ibom State in particular should embrace it. The methodology adopted for the study was descriptive and survey methods. The data gathering instrument for the study was in-depth interview conducted in the study area since it provides first hand information. In conclusion, globalization has started changing the face of Akwa Ibom with massive infrastructural provision paving way for economic growth and development.