1.1 Introduction
The concept of human security as a shift from state security in the West African context and ECOWAS itself as a human security regime in the light of the nature of its interventions in response to the security challenges is reviewed. Arms trafficking, drug trafficking and trafficking in persons (TIP) which are three issues that have posed serious threats to human security in the sub-region discussed by several scholars are also captured. The purpose of the review is to highlight the focus of the contributions of scholars to the subject so far in order to identify gaps in the literature that will need to be filled by further research.
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
Over the years various activities across the borders of ECOWAS member states have hindered sustainable economic growth and development in the Union (Orji, 2008) Activities such as bunkering, terrorism, smuggling of banned items, drug trafficking, human trafficking and prostitution do not encourage socio-economic growth in developing nations such as Nigeria, Ghana, and Togo etc.
The desire to build a vibrant and sound economy is the desire of every patriotic ECOWAS member. This desire can be demonstrated through total elimination or reduction of cross border crimes, and other activities that may hamper the success of free trade policies currently formulated by the economic union.
One of the most important developments in the field of International Relations since World War II has been the proliferation of regional organizations. A region is broadly defined as a group of countries linked together by historical, geographical, cultural economic and other ties. It could also be thought in terms of eco geographical region defined as “a unit made of living and non-living components that interact to form a life-support system”. Regional organizations, systems or doctrines are indications of the existing reality global interdependence.
An indispensable common feature of any regional organization is the exercise of sovereignty in setting up of a co-operative association. In West Africa, regional association has come to be expressed in the formation of ECOWAS in May, 1975. The success of ECOWAS has always hinged on the degree of the determination and commitment of the stronger members. Nigeria is manifestly the strongest member (Adepoju, 2005). However, this study seeks to find out the Nigeria's role in the formation of a ECOWAS (a regional organization formed in West Africa).
It is a fact of history that Nigeria played a prominent role in the formation of the Economic community of West African States (ECOWAS). Balewa government had talked of formation of an Economic community of West Africa in 1964. Nigeria actively involved itself in the series of conferences sponsored by the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) between 1966 and 1968 for economic cooperation in Africa. Nigeria and Guinea were chosen by the Monrovia summit of 1968 for economic co-operation in Africa. Nigeria and Guinea were chosen by the Monrovia summit of 1968 to study on priority areas for cooperation between the members. There report which was submitted in 1969, was not considered partly because of the weak leadership of Pan West Africa of that time. Soon after the civil war, Nigeria rekindled the enthusiasm for a West African Economic Community.
The ECOWAS Treaty, which created the Economic Community of West African States, was intended to promote cooperation and integration within West Africa and to eventually establish an economic and monetary union. Two years later, in 1977, Cape Verde became the sixteenth member of ECOWAS. However, this research on the Nigeria's role on the formation of ECOWAS will critically examine the part played by Nigerian government in founding the organization, the successes and the challenges of the organization.
Therefore, in Nigeria (2015 – 2022) where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) and Human Security.
1.3 Statement of Problems
To achieve the goal of improving economic and political cooperation among the west Africa countries, a treaty was signed in 1975 by 16 West African Country for the formation of a regional organization (ECOWAS). However, this study is critically beaming a search light to the role of Nigeria in the establishment of the organization.
For the purpose of this study, it is important to recalled that on July 24, 1993, the 16 members of ECOWAS met and signed a revised treaty.
In accordance with the text of the revised treaty, all community conventions, protocols, decisions, and resolutions made in the 1975 treaty were to remain valid and enforced, except for those that were inconsistent with the revised treaty. The revisions that were presented in the 1993 version of the treaty were made with the two basic goals of accelerating the integration of economic policy and improving political cooperation.
However, to accelerate economic integration, the revised treaty outlined the necessary steps for the establishment of a common market and a shared currency. Some of the steps of this outline, as stated in the revised treaty, call for the study and research of monetary and financial development, the promotion of activities ensuring convertibility of currencies, and the establishment of a common currency zone. Considering all the above and the role of Nigeria in the formation of ECOWAS, it is important to examine the successes and challenges created as a result of the formation of ECOWAS.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to scrutinize the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) and Human Security in Nigeria (2015 - 2022). In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To examine the need by West Africa countries for a regional organization and the formative years of ECOWAS.
- To examine the role of Nigeria in the formation of ECOWAS between 2015 to 2022.
- To examine the successes in the realization of the ECOWAS main objectives.
- To examine Nigeria's interest in ECOWAS.
- To find out the main challenges of ECOWAS.
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:
- Why is there need by West Africa countries to form a regional organization (ECOWAS)?
- What is the role of Nigeria in the formation of ECOWAS between 2015 to 2022?
- What are the successes in the realization of the ECOWAS main objectives?
- What is Nigeria's interest in ECOWAS?
- What are the main challenges of ECOWAS?
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: There is no significant role exhibited by Nigerian in the formation of ECOWAS between 2015 to 2022.
- H1: There is a significant role exhibited by Nigerian in the formation of ECOWAS between 2015 to 2022.
Hypothesis Two
- H0: There is no significant relationship between Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) and Human Security in Nigeria
- H1: There is a significant relationship between Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) and Human Security in Nigeria
1.7 Significance of Study
This study on the Nigeria's role in the formation of regional organization, a case study of ECOWAS is of great importance as it will educate the general public as to the contributions of Nigeria to the establishment of ECOWAS and there has been many arguments by researchers as to the contribution of Nigeria towards the integration of the west African states that make up ECOWAS. Furthermore, this study will also identify the successes and the challenges of the organization.
ECOWAS is the brain child of Nigeria and Togo. Nigeria has remained the driving force of the regional organization aimed as regional self-reliance, self-preservation and all round security. This research is significant as it will reveal the level of commitment of Nigeria to the development of the west Africa sub-region, Africa and the world as a whole by identifying the contribution of Nigeria to ECOWAS formation.
The relevance of this study is to ascertain the role of Nigeria in the formation of the regional organization (ECOWAS) which will provide first hand information for further research in the area of the Nigeria's role in the formation of ECOWAS.
1.8 Scope of Study
The study focuses on the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) and Human Security in Nigeria (2015 - 2022).
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: An organized group of people with a particular purpose, such as a business or government department.
Formation: The action of creating or process of being formed
Economy: The state of a country or region in terms of the production and consumption of goods and services and the supply of money
Security: The state of being free from danger or threat.
Treaty: A formally concluded and ratified agreement between states.
Integration: The act of combining two or more things together to produce a unique and better one.
