Balancing Act: Nigeria's economic and political calculations with China amid global changes

The subject of the study is Nigerian-Chinese relations in the broader context of the international political economy. It examines trade, foreign direct investment, infrastructure financing and political diplomacy between the two countries, and highlights how these relations are consistent with Nigeria's national interests and global pressures. The authors explore how Nigeria copes with difficult balancing and what consequences this has for its economy, sovereignty and international standing, as well as for further study of the following tasks, as key historical milestones and driving forces of the strategic partnership between Nigeria and China; the history of partnership development in the context of changing geopolitical realities, in particular: in light of the rise of China and the growing competition between the United States and China, as well as the perceived benefits and challenges for Nigeria in maintaining this strategic partnership. This paper uses a qualitative method, using case studies of important sectors affected by Chinese involvement in Nigeria, including infrastructure and energy. It combines policy analysis, trade statistics and diplomatic reports. In addition, a comparative analysis is being conducted to assess how Nigeria's strategy is consistent with that of other African countries cooperating with China. The novelty of the study lies in the fact that for the first time it explores the global transformation of cooperation between countries: the change in U.S. and European policy towards Africa, its impact on Nigeria's relations with China. It also highlights for the first time the impact of new trends, compromises and the emergence of multipolarity in bilateral relations. This study contributes to the existing literature on foreign policy analysis and international relations by identifying patterns in Nigeria's approach that could serve as a model for other African countries facing similar geopolitical challenges. The results of the study showed that Nigeria is building relations with China in the context of global geopolitical changes, facing both opportunities and challenges. By adopting a strategic approach that takes into account all the nuances, Nigeria can take advantage of its relationship with China, while maintaining its sovereignty and contributing to sustainable development.