Introduction
1.1 Background to the Study
Theoretical arguments abound on the role of foreign direct investment (FDI) in an economy which suggests that foreign direct investment provides an important source of foreign exchange earnings needed to augment inadequate finance (savings) for domestic investments. Also, FDI provides the import substitution that would help to reduce the import bills thereby conserving the foreign reserve while investment in export promotion industries will increase the country’s foreign exchange earnings (Todaro, 1994).
According to the neoclassical school of thought, FDI fills the gap between targeted government revenue and locally raised taxes by taxing multinational corporations (MNCS), government are able to realize financial resources for developmental purposes. Hansen and Rand (2006), stressing the role of FDI shows that it has been a good source of improving efficiency of the productive sector through stimulation of economic growth and job creation.
Flows of foreign capital to developed and developing nations have continued to be a topical issue in literature. However, given its key role as driver in fostering growth, such capital had almost dried up between 1972 and 1985 in Nigeria because of public policies introduced by government which were considered to be anti foreign direct investment. The policy drive resulted to debt crisis as government and private investors embarked on massive foreign loan (Anyanwu; 1998).
However with the introduction of SAP in 1986, Nigeria began to receive once more substantial flow of foreign investment capital.
…