By: Daniel Kanu
Editor
A recent study by the China Index has ranked Nigeria 4th among 101 countries where China has the most influence.
The China Index is the first project to measure and visualize the PRC’s global influence.
The 2024 edition covers 101 countries, including Nigeria, offering a nuanced view for academics, policymakers, journalists, and civil society.
The research highlights China’s growing presence in Nigeria’s key sectors, including technology, law enforcement, economy, and foreign policy.
The Index is published by the China in the World (CITW) network, an initiative of the Taiwan-based civil society organization Doublethink Lab, and draws on research by hundreds of researchers and local experts
worldwide.
The China Index’s research provides valuable insights into the complex dynamics of China’s influence in Nigeria and its potential implications for the country’s governance and development .
The study’s findings have raised concerns about the potential implications of Nigeria’s growing ties with China, including:data Privacy.
” The use of Chinese surveillance systems and cybersecurity norms may compromise data privacy and transparency.
” The adoption of Chinese-style governance models may have long-term implications for civil liberties and institutional accountability in Nigeria.” The research revealed.
The ranking comes amid ongoing debate on the benefits and potential drawbacks of Nigeria’s engagement with the PRC.
The research reveals that the PRC has continued to expand its influence in Nigeria since 2022.
Rankings are determined by summing normalized responses to 99 Indicators, each corresponding to an observable phenomenon of PRC influence.
These Indicators are devised by the Index Committee of
experts in PRC influence tactics, and split equally across nine Domains (Media, Academia, Economy, Society, Military, Technology, Law Enforcement, Domestic Politics, and Foreign Policy).
Nigeria’s upward movement in the latest China Index reflects growing PRC influence across key sectors of Nigerian society.
As Africa’s most populous country and one of the world’s largest democracies, Nigeria has emerged as a strategic partner in Beijing’s global influence efforts, particularly in the domains of Foreign Policy, Technology, Law Enforcement, and Economy.
The country’s rapid digital development, supported by PRC-backed infrastructure projects, and technology transfer, and training, has also introduced Chinese surveillance systems and cybersecurity norms into Nigeria’s governance framework.
Chinese firms such as Huawei have implemented “Safe City” surveillance systems in major cities like Lagos and Abuja.
The research exposed that Nigerian officials have also participated in cybersecurity training programmes sponsored by Chinese institutions.
These tools, while potentially enhancing public security, also bring new challenges related to data privacy, transparency, and public oversight.
The alignment with PRC-style governance models, characterized by centralized digital control, may raise concerns about the long-term implications for civil liberties and institutional accountability.
Ranked 5th globally and highest among African countries, Nigeria’s high position in the Economic Domain underscores its close financial ties with the PRC.
As Nigeria’s top trading partner and the holder of most of its bilateral sovereign debt, the PRC appears to wield significant economic leverage, influencing Nigeria’s policy decisions and position in multilateral forums.
This also contributes to Nigeria’s top ranking in the Foreign Policy Domain.
Also, Foreign Policy, Military, and Law Enforcement are a part of a Rule-Making cluster, where Nigeria ranks 3rd out of 101 countries and highest among all African countries.
The cluster reflects how PRC influence
shapes national standards, governance models, and security norms. A point of concern is PRC’s influence on government norms in Nigeria.
In all, key findings reveal: China is Nigeria’s top trading partner and holds most of its bilateral sovereign debt, giving it significant economic influence over the country.
“Technological influence where Chinese firms like Huawei have implemented surveillance systems in major Nigerian cities, raising concerns about data privacy and public oversight.
“Law Enforcement, resulting in China providing training to Nigerian police officials, potentially shaping the country’s law enforcement norms and practices.
