China's Expanding Footprint in Nigeria: Implications of USAID's Suspension on Development and Geopolitical Alignments

This analysis examines the implications of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)'s 2025 aid suspension in Nigeria and China's expanding role in its development landscape. Using a desktop research methodology, the study employs comparative analysis to assess the development models of USAID and China, drawing from peer-reviewed literature and policy reports. Findings indicate that while China's infrastructure investments address Nigeria's economic needs, they do not fully replace USAID's social sector contributions. The study concludes that Nigeria must adopt a balanced donor strategy, leveraging Chinese investments while securing alternative funding for human development programmes to ensure long-term sustainability.