IIARD International Institute of Academic Research and Development

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES AND MANAGEMENT RESEARCH (IJSSMR )

E-ISSN 2545-5303
P-ISSN 2695-2203
VOL. 10 NO. 7 2024
DOI: 10.56201/ijssmr.v10.no7.2024.pg189.207

---

Nigeria and the Prospects of Integration in the Economic Community of West African States

Amana Isaac Akogwu Musa Yahaya Idoko Salome Mercy

---

Abstract

Expectedly, forty-nine years since the establishment of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), there has been significant transformation in West African socioeconomic and political integration. Nonetheless, very recent developments in West Africa indicate a retreat in integration arrangements; most evidently, the resurgence of military rule in some member countries, followed by threats of withdrawal from ECOWAS. Invariably, there appears to be a mismatch between the level of institutional transformation and the extent of integration. As a matter of policy and multilateral exigency, Nigeria played a leading role in the formation of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in 1975. In view of Nigeria’s dominant posture, and underlying challenges, a more concerted effort from Nigeria would guarantee a genuine integration of West Africa. This research therefore examines how Nigeria advanced the course of regional integration and the prospects thereof. Data from Primary and Secondary sources was analysed using the descriptive method. Dependency Theory was adopted to explain the enduring external strains on integration initiatives. Findings indicate that West African integration must correspond with transformation in democratic principles and practices, beginning with Nigeria, the dominant member, and extending to others.

keywords:

Regional Integration, Globalisation, Hegemony, Foreign Policy, National Interest.

---

References:

Ajulo, S. B. (2009) Rejuvenation of ECOWAS, NIGERIAN FORUM, A Journal of Opinion on
World Affairs. Vol. 30 (1-2) pp.24-64
Aluko, O. (1981) Essays on Nigeria’s Foreign Policy, London: George Allen & Unwin Ltd.,
Amadu, S. & Eyinla, B. (2012) The Place of National Interest in Nigeria's Foreign Policy. In
Imobighe, T. A. & Alli, W. O. eds. Perspectives on Nigeria's Foreign
Policy,
Ibadan: University Press PLC, pp.90-114
Amooko, E. A. (2021) Speech delivered by the President of ECOWAS Court at the ECOWAS
2021 Conference in Abidjan.
Angbulu,
S.
(2024)
Updated:
Tinubu
backs
direct
elections
into
ECOWAS
Parliamentpunchng.com-deli, 4th April)
Aniche, E. T. (2020) Pan-Africanism and Regionalism in Africa: The Journey So Far.
Conference: African Knowledges and Alternative
Futures.@www.researchgate.net/publication/3226445_Pan
Aribisala, F. (1985) The Economic Community of West African States: A Progress Report,
Nigerian Journal of International Affairs, Vol.11 (1) pp.74-91
Ate, B. E. (2011) Nigeria’s Relations with its Immediate Neighbours: A Security-Political
Analysis. In Akindele, R. A. & Ate, B. E. eds. Selected Readings on Nigeria’s Foreign
Policy and International Relations. Lagos: NIIA Enlightenment Series. Vol.1 (1) pp.172-
180 (Reprint)
Banfa, S. L. (2019) Oral interview granted at his residence, Akpata Area, Jos on 8 July, at 10:30
A. M.
Bala, B. & Tar, U. A. (2021). Regional Cooperation in West Africa: Counter Terrorism and
Counter-Insurgency.
African
Security.
Vol.
14
(2)
pp.186-207
https://doi.org/10.1080/19392206.2021.1929747
Briggs, D. A. (2005) Foundations and Development of Nigeria’s Foreign Policy: Some Theoretical
Considerations, in D. A. Briggs, ed. Nigeria in World Politics, Trends and Challenges.
Essays in Honour of Maj. Gen. Joseph Nanven Garba, Kuru: NIPSS, 5
Chandra, P. (2006) International Relations, New Delhi: Vikas Publishing House PVT. LTD,
Chidozie, F. C. & Eniayekan, E. A. (2022) ECOWAS and the ‘New Scramble’ for Africa:
Community of West African States, Speaking Notes. In Eze, O. (ed.) Reciprocity in
ed. Beyond Fifty Years of Nigeria's Foreign Policy: Issues, Challenges and Prospects,
Lagos: Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, pp.79-92
Edigin, L. U. (2008) Globalisation and the Challenge to African Development, Nigerian Forum,
Lagos: Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), July/August, pp.225-233
Egobiambu, E. (2024) Tinubu Addresses African Leaders, Highlights ECOWAS Achievements At
the Sixth Mid-Year Coordination Meeting of the African Union in Accra Ghana.
channelstv.com accessed 23/7/2024 03:30
Eze, O. (2010) Interrogating the 'National Interest' in Nigeria's Foreign Policy, in Osita Eze
ed. Beyond Fifty Years of Nigeria's Foreign Policy: Issues, Challenges and Prospects,
Lagos: Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, pp.79-92
Ferraro, V. (2008) Dependency Theory: An Introduction, in Giorgio Secondi ed. London:
Routledge, pp.58-64
Francis, D. J. (2010) Peacekeeping in a Bad Neighbourhood : The Economic Community of West
African States (ECOWAS) in Peace and Security in West Africa. ajol-file-journals 310-
articles-52180-submission 20100302
Gambari, I. (2008) “From Balewa to Obasanjo. The Theory and Practice of Nigeria’s Foreign
Policy,” In Adekeye, A. and Mustapha, A. eds. Gulliver’s Troubles, Nigeria’s Foreign
Policy after the Cold War, (South Africa: University of KwaZulu-Natal Press, 63
Gana, A. T. (1989) Nigeria, West Africa and the Economic Community of West African States. In
Akinyemi, A.B, Agbi, S. O & Otunbanjo, A. O. eds. Nigeria Since Independence, The
First 25 Years Vol. X, International Relations. Ibadan: Heinemann Educational Books
(Nig.) Ltd. pp.117-137
Hassan, I. & Felix, T. Military Interventions in Africa: An Overview. In Politics, Africa
https://prd-idrc.azureedge.net/sites/default/files/openebooks/812-0/ 9/10/2022
International Relations, Lagos: The Nigerian Institute of International Affairs. pp.43-55
Interrogating the Francophone/Anglophone Dynamics. Retrieved from
Jinadu, A. L., (2010) Conceptual and Theoretical Issues in the Scramble for Africa. In Eze, O.C &
Anigbo, C.A. eds New Scramble for Africa. Lagos: Nigerian Institute of International
Affairs, pp.15-25
Kvangraven, I. H., (2020) Beyond the Stereotype: Restating the Relevance of the Dependency
Research Programme. Development and Change International Institute of Social Studies
Vol.52(1) pp.76-112 htps://doi.org/10.1111/dech.12593
Kvangraven, I. H., (2023) Dependency Theory: Strengths, Weaknesses and its Relevance Today.
In Reinert, E. S. & Kvangraven, I. H. eds. A Modern Guide to Uneven Economic
Development. Elgar Modern Guides https://www.researchgate.net/publication/367336288
DOI:10.433719781788976541.00013. pp.147-170 Accessed 28/7/2024
Kwanashie, M. (2010) Historical Perspectives to the Scramble for Africa. In Osita C. Eze & Chike
A. Anigbo eds. New Scramble for Africa, Lagos: Nigerian Institute of International Affairs,
27-44.
Kwanashie, M. Historical Perspective on the Scramble for Africa. In Eze, O.C & Anigbo, C.A. eds
New Scramble for Africa. Lagos: Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, pp. 27-44.
Maame, E. A., (2023). Adjudicating Human Rights in the ECOWAS Court: Challenges and
Prospects. May Kwame Nrumah University of Science and Technology; Raoul Wallenberg
Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law. Raoul Wallenberg Institute. 3 May.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/370492652
Maame, E. A., 2022, Of Women’s Rights Jurisprudence of the ECOWAS Court. The Role of the
Maputo Protocol and Due Diligence Standard (2022) 28 (2) Feminist Legal Studies
155 Meierding, (2010) IR Theory as Politics, International Politics as Theory: A Nigerian Case Study.
African Nebular, (2) September. Pp.1-17
Ogunsanwo, A. (2010) Reciprocity in International Relations: Nigeria and the Economic 25 Years
Vol. X, International Relations. Ibadan: Heinemann, Educational Books (Nig.) Ltd. pp.117-
137
Okafor, C. (2023) We will not tolerate coups in West Africa – Tinubu, Premium Times Nigeria.
Retrieved 25 August.
Okpanachi, A. & Amana, I. A. (2024) Military Coups in West Africa and Insecurity in Nigeria: An
Overview. West African Journal of Interdisciplinary Research 2(2) April-June. Pp. 86-97
DOI:10.5281/zenodo.11425048 www.ijaar.org
Oladimeji, T. & Ahmad, Mohammad Z. (2016) Empiricising Regional Hegemony in the Periphery:
A Case Study of Nigeria. International Affairs and Global Strategy, Vol.14 www.iiste.org
Romaniuk, S. N., (2017) Dependency Theory, The Sage Encyclopedia of War: Social Science
Perspectives, Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications, Inc. Retrieved from
www.researchgate.net>publication
Ruth, M. (2022) Gunfire is Heard in Burkina Faso Capital, Kindling Fears of a Coup. The New
York Times. 30 September. Retrieved 25 August, 2023
Sesay, E. and Omotosho, (2011). In Try Africa First, The African Union and Conflict Management
in Africa: Opportunities and Challenges. 2011/12/19 journal Vol.14.
Shuaibu, M. (2023) Niger Coup: Seven Times ECOWAS Military Intervened in Member Nations.
Daily Trust, Wednesday 23 August, 16:06:35 WAT dailytrust.com
Sinclair, M. (1983) An Analysis of Nigeria’s Foreign Policy: The Evolution of Political Paranoia.
Braamfontein: The South African Institute of International Affairs, Jan Smuts House.
Stephen
A.,
(2024)
Updated:
Tinubu
backs
Direct
Elections
into
ECOWAS
Parliamentpunchng.com-deli, 4th April, 2024)
Tar, U. & Ukhami, E., (2018) Nigeria’s Foreign Policy in the Fourth Republic. Perspectives on
Obasanjo and Yar Adua Administrations. Kaduna: Pyla-mak Publishers Limited.
Waltz, N. K. (2006) Realist Thought and Neoreal

DOWNLOAD PDF

---

Back