SUSTAINABILITY OF INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE AS THE DRIVER OF NIGERIA'S ECONOMY AND THE NEGATIVE TREND OF OVER-DEPENDENCE ON FOREIGN AID.

Introduction/Background This study examines the sustainability of international development assistance (IDA) in Nigeria, focusing on its role in economic growth and the challenges of over-dependence. Historically, Nigeria has relied on foreign aid to address critical issues such as poverty alleviation, infrastructure development, and education reform. However, this dependency has often undermined local governance and domestic capacity-building, raising concerns about long-term economic self-sufficiency. Methodology The research employed a survey-based methodology, targeting the northeastern states of Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe, areas significantly affected by insurgency and international aid receipts. Using a simple random sampling technique, data were collected from a sample of 384 respondents through structured questionnaires. Result The responses were analyzed using simple linear regression to explore the relationship between foreign aid and Nigeria's economic indicators. Findings indicate that while IDA has positively impacted key sectors such as healthcare, education, and agriculture, it has also perpetuated cycles of dependency. This dependency discourages local entrepreneurship, stifles innovation, and creates governance challenges, as donor priorities often overshadow local needs. The results emphasize the need for policy reforms focused on capacity building and enhancing accountability mechanisms to foster economic self-reliance. The literature highlights that while IDA provides immediate relief, it frequently falls short in driving sustainable structural changes, leaving recipient nations vulnerable to external influences and fiscal instability. Conclusion The study concludes that achieving sustainable economic growth in Nigeria requires a paradigm shift in how foreign aid is utilized. Prioritizing local empowerment and aligning aid initiatives with national policies will be critical in mitigating dependency and fostering a resilient, self-sufficient economy. A thorough examination of the historical context of aid in Nigeria will reveal patterns in governmental policy choices and the socio-economic implications of reliance on external resources thus; addressing this phenomenon necessitates a comprehensive analysis of alternative developmental strategies prioritizing local capacity building over mere financial influx, thereby cultivating an environment conducive to sustainable growth independent of foreign reliance