Targeting strategy for technological acquisition in the Sub-Saharan oil exporting states of Africa: The Nigerian experience

Abstract

During the last two decades, economic development has been slow in most of the countries of Sub-Saharan Africa (World Bank, 1981). In the middle of the 1970s when the world economy experienced inflation and recession, no where did the crises hit with greater impact than in Sub-Saharan Africa. This region shows slow overall economic growth, sluggish agricultural performance, rapid rates of population increase, and a balance of payment crises. Between 1960 and 1979, per capita income in 19 countries grew by less than 1% per annum. During the last decade 15 countries recorded a negative rate of income growth per capita (World Bank, 1981).

The economic state of the oil exporting countries (Angola, Congo and Nigeria) in Sub-Saharan Africa is not any different. The average annual growth rate of GNP per capita from 1960–1979 shows Angola at −2.1%, Congo at 0.9% and Nigeria at 3.7%.

Using Nigeria as a case study, this paper postulates that since over 80% of the total revenue yield in foreign exchange comes from crude petroleum export alone, it has become urgent to ensure; (a) that the techniques in oil technology are acquired by Nigerians so as to conserve the foreign exchange cost arising from foreign personnel drawings, such as salaries and perquisites; (b) that Nigerians become immersed in the techniques of oil technology in order to make maximum use of the by-products of crude oil in a conscious exploitation of the industry's potential directed towards the economic development of Nigeria.