The book provides a multifaceted approach to understanding the origin, nature and resolution of the banking crisis in Nigeria. Unlike studies that focus only on technical criteria, the contributors examine theoretical, empirical, institutional, political economy and policy dimensions. Moreover, unlike case studies that focus on a single country, the volume compares liberalization in Nigeria to other regions demonstrating links to the financial crisis in Asia, Latin America and elsewhere. They emphasize the importance of understanding financial liberalization in its broader embedded context and the need to tailor financial reform to the conditions and capacities of specific developing and transitional countries including Nigeria.