ABSTRACT:

This paper examines globalization as part of contemporary social thought. The inter- relationships between economy, population change, environment, globalizing democracy and human rights, and social life are some of the cornplex aspects of globalization analysis. In doing this, the various challenges facing developing countries received much attention. These include: food insecurity, environmental degradation, sustaining human resources development, ensuring effective energy supply and utilization, achieving democratic governance and economic reconstruction, and developing science and technology. Globalization is analysed within the context of sociological and conceptual analysis using dialectic and functionalism of Karl Mark and Pierre Vanden Berghe. The paper argues that if Nigeria were to fit in the new millennium and be a co-participant in international (global) affair, there is an urgent need to pay attention to the challenges posed by globalization vs mentioned above. Globalization is conceptualized as the process whereby the world's interdependence is sustained through accelerating spread of awareness of the global interconnectedness of human activities, and the consequent responses which this spread of awareness elicit. This paper has policy implications, therefore the following recommendations are made: Nigeria should embark upon strategic development of human resources; determine the various ways globalization affects her; enhance democratic governance; have a comprehensive programme of activities for foreign firms; pay more attention to human development and team up with other third world countries to argue for the reform of the United Nations and its organs.