An Investigation of Nigeria-China Cultural and Management Significance

The China-Nigerian ties have gained momentum in the last few decades with china acknowledged as Nigeria’slargest trading partner in West Africa. The trade mostly involves manufacturing, construction, mining, agriculture. To facilitate this trade, thousands of Chinese firms have invested heavily with some even relocating their activities to Nigeria. In terms of benefits, Nigeria has gained from job creation while China has profited from lower wage bills, improved government relations and local knowledge. However, although majority of Nigerian employees have benefited from China investments, discontents continues among Nigerian elite who feel excluded from Chinese top management (because human wants they say is insatiable). Similarly, the Chinese style of management has come under scrutiny as it differs from Western management styles that dominate Nigerian management following century long colonial history. This paper examines the China’s management in Nigeria, its implications, challenges and solutions. The paper observes that there is a strong relationship between Nigeria and Chinese cultures as both are hedged on similar cultural value system as Ubantuand ren-yi-lirespectively. The paper further acknowledges the impact of Western management and calls a hybrid management that is appropriate for African development.

 

Keywords: China, Cultural value, Development, Management, Nigeria, Resource valuables, Skill transfer, Western Culture.