NIGERIA’S LEADERSHIP ROLE IN ECOWAS 1975 – 1992

NIGERIA’S LEADERSHIP ROLE IN ECOWAS 1975 – 1992

Abstract:

The study is concerned with the assessment of Nigeria’s leadership role in ECOWAS. Evidently Nigeria has the potential to play a leadership role in the West African region because of her human and material resources. in assessing Nigeria’s actual role the study examined propositions which aimed at determined the extent to which her comparatively prepondrant resource endowment has facilitated her playing a leadership role in West Africa. The work made an assessment of Nigeria’s leading role in ECOWAS between 1975-1992 to buttress her unique position in the sub-region. The historical background to the formation of ECOWAS was examined to place the study in proper perspective. Then we examined Nigeria’s economic contributions to ECOWAS. In doing this, hei efforts at promoting intra-regional trade, Trade liberalisatior scheme, industrialisation, financial assistance and aid to membei states were discussed. In this section, it was also pointed out that Nigeria is the highest contributing member to ECOWAS budget and the Fund with about 32.8% of total contributions. Her role in this regard has been remarkable and she has continued to be concerned with the interest and well-being of the people of the region. An assessment of Nigeria’s political contributions revealed that the peace and security of the region is foremost in her policy, but the devergent views among the member states have affected this idea. The member states seem to give priority to national interest rather than to community goals. This not withstanding, Nigeria has been commited to maintaining peace and security in the region and this is reflected in the various crisis situations she has helped to pacify. This work made an in dept, study of three of such situations. Nigeria has used her leadership role in ECOWAS to champion the cause of the region in the international arena. This has portrayed her as a power and a force to reckon with in the region. Based on our findings, we suggest among other things that Nigeria should plan her leadership role so that it would be played to her interest and satisfaction, improve her economic and financial situation to enhance her role, improve her military capability and relationship with France and her neigbours especially the Francophone Countries.

NIGERIA’S LEADERSHIP ROLE IN ECOWAS 1975 – 1992