1.1 Introduction
International organization is a membership group that operates across national borders for specific purposes. Scholars of international relations consider international organizations to be of growing importance in world politics. An international organization according to Goldstein and Pevehouse (2009:232) is concrete, tangible, structure, with specific functions and missions. International organization can be define them as transnational organization most usually setup by charter, with mission and vision transcending one state and geared towards performing specific functions.
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.
1.2 Background of Study
Nigeria is regarded as the most populous country in Africa, with the population of approximately 140 million. This is perhaps the reason the country is pride itself as the giant of Africa. Nigeria shares land boundaries with the Republic of Benin in the West, Cameroon to the East, Republic of Niger to the South and Chad Republic in the south-East. Nigeria became a political independence in 1960. Since then she adopted foreign policy posture which emphasizes the country’s national interest over which a national consensus has clearly emerged. With the attainment of independence, the country began to take its rightful position in the international politics. Nigeria has exhibited profound interest in the economic development of Africa states and contributed quotally for the consolidation of universal peace, mutual respect among all nations and elimination of discrimination in all its manifestations. Especially its closest neighbours of the West African sub region.
The primary objective of Nigeria foreign policy like other countries is to promote and protect the country’s national interest in its interaction with outside world. Nigeria’s involvement and membership of international organization with of course most relevant to my discussion have be limited upon the examination of Nigeria’s role in international organization with particular emphases on OPEC.
Economic cooperation as it is provides fair opportunities for multi-lateral negotiation and collaboration among states and could be used to monitor types of value in the image of specific national preference3. Nigeria has sought membership in the UN, OAU, ECOWAS, before narrowing down with particular reference to OPEC. Nigeria had benefited immensely from United Nation programmes such as Millennium Development Goals, UNICEF, IMF and so on. Nigeria in spite of its relative level of development continuous to chair United Nation special organ for example toward the end of 2009 Nigeria was elected one of the member of the UN Security Council.
Nigeria’s role in the formation and survival of the Africa union cannot be over emphasizes in the transition from OAU to the Africa Union required 36thinstrument of ratification of the constitutive ACT of the Africa Union. On 26 April 2001 Nigeria became the 36th member state to deposit its instrument of ratification this concluded the requirement of two-thirds and the Act entered into force on 26th of May 2001.
Technical Aid Corp (TAC) was form by Nigeria aim at ease movement of Nigerian professionals such as Teacher, lawyer, doctors, engineer etc to other countries who are in need. In December 1985 Nigeria proof effort to settle border conflict between Burkina Faso and the Republic of Mali. The treaty of ECOWAS was signed in Lagos on 28th may 1975.5 Nigeria commitment as regards to fratricidal war in Liberia was a stand of Article 52 of the UN charter providing for regional security .Nigeria also give a similar spirited defence to Sierra Leone .This was possible through ECOWAS monitoring Group ECOMOG established by General lbrahim Babaginda.
Organization of petroleum Exporting countries (OPEC) came of out of necessity as the international oil market was controlled by an oligopoly of several major international companies shell, Mobil Texaco, British petroleum Exxon and Gult. These companies were in position to dictated oil prices as they represented the supply side of oil OPEC was founded in 1960 by coming together of iran, Kuwait, Sauid –Arabia and Venezuela Nigeria became a member of OPEC in 1970. The treaty formally establishing OPEC was signed in Baghdad.
Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to assess the Nigeria Role in the Development of International Organization.
1.3 Statement of Problems
Investigation reveals that Nigeria can’t transact business III other West African countries like Ghana, Togo, Ivory Coast and so others without being harassed with stringent conditions /measures, and intimidated by official of these west African countries. Efforts will be made to evaluate Nigeria policy role in terms of decision and moral contribution. Some scholars both within and without have been very critical about Nigeria performance and its benefits being a member of OPEC finally to x-ray the problems and prospects of the organization since its inception and recommendations.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to assess the Nigeria Role in the Development of International Organization using African Union 2000-2021 as a case study. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To examine the relationship between demand and supply and crude oil products.
- To examine the problems and challenges facing Nigeria as a member of OPEC.
- To examine the conditions that necessitate the formation of organization of petroleum exporting countries (OPEC) in connection with the security of good and stable price of oil between African Union 2000-2021.
- To recommend the appropriate policies and strategies to streamline price and production level of the petroleum resources.
1.5 Research Questions
The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:
- What is the relationship between demand and supply and crude oil products?
- What is the problems and challenges facing Nigeria as a member of OPEC?
- What are the conditions that necessitate the formation of organization of petroleum exporting countries (OPEC) in connection with the security of good and stable price of oil between African Union 2000-2021?
1.6 Research Hypothesis
In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.
Hypothesis One
- H0: Nigeria has not made meaningful contribution to the organization of petroleum exporting countries
- H1: Nigeria has made meaningful contribution to the organization of petroleum exporting countries
Hypothesis Two
- H0: Nigeria is not in weak position in the organization of petroleum exporting countries
- H1: Nigeria has a weak position in the organization of petroleum exporting countries
1.7 Significance of Study
This study will help West Africa to appreciate the need to form sub-regional organization in order to address economic exploitation by imperialism and it will add to the existing knowledge to the field of economic relations among member states. It will equally add to the existing knowledge in the field of international relations and African in general.
This study will be of immense benefit to other researchers who intend to know more on this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their research work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other study.
1.8 Scope of Study
The study focuses on the assessment of the Nigeria Role in the Development of International Organization using African Union 2000-2021 as a case study.
1.9 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
- Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
1.10 Definition of Terms
Organization: Organization refers to any group of persons coming together for specific purpose. This could be political cultural religions as well as economic oriented.
Petroleum: Petroleum is regarded as the mineral got from the earth beneath containing gas fuel and other chemical substances.
Role: This refers to a part played by an actor. It involve Nigeria commitment and active participation toward the success of OPEC.
