Extreme poverty, partially fueled by a corrupt state sector unable to fulfill basic needs, means subsistence on $1 per day for 70% of Nigerians and has prompted calls for market reform. However, the potential effects of market reform are largely unknown since empirical data have not been examined in the literature, and are unavailable to stakeholders. Unable to link market reform to availability of basic needs, labor unions remain skeptical that privatization could actually promote economic growth. Drawing from theories of market competition and property rights, the purpose of this correlational study was to model and test relationship linking capital investment to growth in GDP as previously demonstrated by Brazil. The central research question examined the nature and strength of the relationship between growth in GDP and growth in capital investment from privatization. Archived UN data for 26 years were collected, and analyzed using multiple regression modeling. Results of the UN data showed that a significant relationship at .05 level existed between growth in capital investment and GDP growth during the postprivatization period. These results led to the conclusion that emulating policies pioneered by Brazil could yield similar outcomes in Nigeria. The results of this study have important implications for positive social change since the economic vitality of Nigeria would stabilize and strengthen the nation as GDP grows. In turn poverty reduction and improved living conditions for ordinary Nigerian citizens would become more readily attainable.