Asian Investors and Industrial Development in Nigeria: the Case of Kwara State, 1967-1999

The investments of Asian investors in Nigeria's industrial sectors have been quite revealing especially after the country attained its independence in 1960. They did not limit their investments to the nation's capital alone, but spread them to other regions and when state was created in 1967, to other States including Kwara State. The State became a catchment area for the investors because it is endowed with natural resources. Thus, as many as five globally competitive industries were set up across the State in partnership with the government and some individuals. However, the bad economic situation in the country which started in the 90s affected these industries and most of them wound up. The only one working is doing so at a very low 40% of its installed capacities. This study is a contribution to the ongoing debate on how to restore the state back to her lost glory of being one of the industrialized states in the country. The study utilizes secondary sources of data and subject them to analysis. The study explores the establishments and contributions of these industries to the economic development of Kwara State and Nigeria in general while in operation and examined their problems. It concludes however, that the industries can be revived with minimum governmental policy, involvement and individual commitments.