The Emerging Giants of Africa: A Study of Nigeria-South Africa Relations in the Post Apartheid Era

The power configuration and economic warfare between the two emerging giants of Africa – Nigeria and South Africa is currently understudied, and therefore requires urgent academic attention. This essay x-rays Nigeria’s bilateral relations with South Africa since the collapse of apartheid policy and the emergence of democratic rule in both countries. The central question is what has been the impact of democratic rule and the globalization process on Nigeria-South Africa relations? After critical analysis of the bi-national treaty and its impact on the political economy of both countries, the paper argues that Nigeria should grab the opportunity provided by South Africa’s domination of Nigeria’s economy to reposition her public enterprises, and inject new blood into the economy, otherwise the sleeping giant may relapse into coma.