ABSTRACT
The purpose of this chapter is to explore political factors in Nigeria's use of oil revenues and to try to account for governmental objectives through an analysis of political processes and institutions and the interactions of elites and socio-economic groups during a period of exceptionally great resource availability. The focus is on Nigeria after the sharp rise of oil prices in 1973 and through the period of military rule which ended in October 1979. The return to civilian rule after 13 years and the first few years of the civilian regime occurred during a period of fluctuating oil prices. Moreover, after 1979, Nigeria operated with a new constitution which meant presidential rule, changed relations between civilians and military personnel, and an evolving federal system in which the tasks of government as between national and the state level are different from those that obtained during the military period. The post-1979 story is, therefore, somewhat different with respect to the themes elaborated for the 1970s: (1) centralization of authority; (2) the growth of the central state apparatus; (3) and its expanded economic and political roles; (4) the contraction of the agricultural sector; (5) the expansion of services provided by the state; (6) the push to indigenize the Nigerian economy. Post-1979 developments are outlined only in brief.
