FOREIGN AID IN NIGERIA: A DEPARTURE FROM ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IMPACT TO SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT IMPACT

Abstract

Discussions around foreign aid although contradictory have mostly been on its impact on economic development of recipient countries leaving social aspect of development poorly attended to. Moving away from this common path, this paper aims to explore social development impact of foreign aid in Nigeria. Utilizing secondary sources of data, the paper decomposed social development into specific measurable variables such as poverty eradication, healthcare system and human security. The findings of the study demonstrate that foreign aid has not significantly impacted on larger components of social development investigated. It is also highlighted in the study that there is conflicting evidence regarding the impact of foreign aid on healthcare system in Nigeria. The result equally reveals that varying interest of foreign aid actors constitutes a serious challenge to the performance of foreign aid in the country. As a panacea, the paper recommends for global attitudinal change campaign to foreign aid actors.