In the early 1980s, as Nigeria faced mounting economic pressures from falling oil prices and a rapidly devaluing currency, the country turned to international financial institutions for help. The Bretton Woods Institutions—the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank—stepped in, offering much-needed funds but with significant strings attached. These institutions, established to promote global economic stability, became central figures in Nigeria’s economy, imposing reforms designed to shift Nigeria away from reliance on oil exports and reduce its debt burden.