The study examined China’s increased infrastructure development and investment in Nigeria within the broader context of the new scramble for Africa. The 21st century has witnessed a resurgence of interest among major global powers in Africa, reminiscent of the colonial-era scramble for the continent's resources. This contemporary scramble, however, is characterized by economic and strategic engagements rather than outright colonization. China's burgeoning presence in Africa, particularly its deepening ties with Nigeria, exemplifies this phenomenon. Employing a descriptive and qualitative research design, data for the study were generated from focus group discussions, books, and periodical reports from the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, and other relevant governmental bodies. Building upon a variant of dependency theory and complex interdependence theory, the paper argues that China's growing involvement in key sectors of Nigeria’s economy through various infrastructure developments financed by loans has far-reaching implications for the nation’s economic growth. To mitigate the risk of dependency and enhance negotiating strength, Nigeria should diversify partnerships beyond a single major power by establishing mutually beneficial relationships with a range of international players, including established Western countries, emerging economies, and regional partners.

 

Key words: China, dependency, developing economies, major powers, new scramble, Nigeria.