Journal of Contemporary International Relations and Diplomacy

Globalisation in Africa: Examining if Economic Integration and Privatisation of Most Public Enterprises in West Africa Instigates Migration Crisis in the ECOWAS Sub-region

2025-03-04T09:18:21+00:00

This study broadly examined if globalisation instigated migration crisis in the West African sub-region. Specifically, the study investigated the role of economic integration in the rise of migration and the positive link between privatisation and increased movement in West Africa. The Growth Pole theory was adopted to explain the interconnection between globalisation and migration. The study employed the documentary method of data collection and the qualitative descriptive method of data analysis otherwise known as content analysis. The study found that the paucity of implementation of economic integration schemes adopted in the
West African sub-region has led to the rising trend of various forms of migration, ranging from irregular migration, forced migration, labour migration etc. It also found that privatisation measures in West Africa have been implicated in the increased movement of people across the sub-region, especially intra-regional movement, from rural to the urban area. Consequently, the study recommended that since rising trend of various forms of migration within the West African sub-region is traceable to the paucity in the enforcement of the economic integration schemes adopted in the sub-region, the Economic Community of West African
States (ECOWAS), among others, therefore, should strengthen enforcement structures, collaborate with member states, and establish an ECOWAS Cross-border Cooperation Fund.

Nigerian Expatriates' Integration in Host Countries and its Implication for Nigeria's Foreign Policy Agenda

2025-03-04T09:40:08+00:00

This paper seeks to analyse the challenges faced by Nigerian expatriates in the quest to get integrated in their host countries and the implications it has on Nigeria’s foreign policy agenda. The problem arises due to the increasing mobility of Nigerian expatriates abroad, challenges faced by them and potential impacts such an increasing mobility bears for the international standing and strategic interests of Nigeria. The broad objective is to examine the effects that integration of Nigerian expatriates has on the implementation of foreign policy objectives of Nigeria. The study uses primary data gathered from random sampling through Google form sent to a famous Nigerian in Diaspora (NIDO)’s WhatsApp group. Also, secondary data from the literature, including academic journals, books, newspapers, and historical accounts, were used. The major findings of study are: that the Nigerian expatriates’ integration is hampered by a range of issues like xenophobia and legal restrictions on access to critical socio-economic activities needed for effective engagement in diplomacy. The study offers, among other recommendations, increased institutional support for diaspora engagement to break legal and socio-economic barriers, partnership with the host governments and organizations that can aid maximum integration in the host countries. These can be achieved through cultural exchange and educational programs put in place under citizens diplomacy to ensure that there is maximum utilization of Nigerian experts for the development of foreign policy agenda of the country.

African Governments’ Responses to the Covid-19 Pandemic and its Impact on Women: A Case Study of Nigeria

2025-03-04T10:12:24+00:00

The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic in Africa created widespread socio-economic and healthcare challenges for countries, and peoples’ lives and livelihoods. Like other public health emergencies, the COVID-19 pandemic is gendered, and affected men, women, boys and girls in complex and varying ways; exacerbating the existing deep-seated gender inequalities in African societies. Similarly, the response measures adopted by African governments, including Nigeria, in addressing the disease outbreak and preventing its spread had a disproportionate impact on women and girls. To cushion the impact of the measures adopted against the disease, the Nigerian government created socio-economic initiatives and programs for the citizenry. However, these measures did not adequately integrate a gender perspective in their design and implementation. Using a desk review of secondary sources, the paper examines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the response measures adopted by the Nigerian government. It concludes that the failure by policy makers in Nigeria, and Africa generally, to effectively mainstream gender into the design and implementation of these policies, and underrepresentation of women in government taskforces limited the effectiveness of the measures.

The Trajectory of Transnational Security in West Africa: Recalibrating the Elements of Regional Integration for Strategic Policy Options in the Sahel Region

2025-03-04T10:47:14+00:00

The instability and crises in West Africa and the Sahel have changed the security landscape in the region. There has never been a more urgent need for a more cooperative regional environment due to the increasing mobility of conflicts. Methodologically, qualitative and content analysis was employed. Findings revealed that the Sahel region as a whole is characterized by the challenges of establishing governmental authority and promoting development across large and sparsely populated areas in poor institutional environments. The study also revealed that the Sahel's illegal trade in commodities and people has generally suffered as a result of the violence, and many issues related to human security are transnational in nature. As a result, Mauritania's president, Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, inspired the G5S to forge unity among governments with longstanding rivalries in order to combat the insecurity that has been perceived as a regional issue in 2014, while serving as president of the African Union (AU). The study concludes that, the social, ethnic, and religious heterogeneity of the region, the plurality of threats, and the permeability of territories that necessitate cross-border synergies make it exceedingly difficult to pursue a "comprehensive" approach or "integrated" response to terrorism in the Sahel, for previous approaches to the Sahel were likewise beset by a lack of cooperation in the formulation and application of response plans. There is a need for nations in the region to have the power to address the risks to peace and security, but first, they must all get over a number of internal challenges. Each nation has a stake in enhancing stability.

Analysing the Challenges of Humanitarian Workers in Provision of Assistance to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Conflict Zones: Study of North Eastern Nigeria

2025-03-04T10:22:24+00:00

This study explored the challenges encountered by humanitarian workers in providing assistance to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) within conflict-ridden zones, with a particular focus on North Eastern Nigeria. Amidst the turmoil of armed conflict and displacement, humanitarian workers serve as vital conduits of aid, striving to alleviate the suffering of affected populations and facilitate their transition towards sustainable recovery. These roles notwithstanding, the humanitarian workers face myriad challenges that hamper their ability to provide sustained and comprehensive aid to vulnerable populations. This study assessed the impact of existing strategies and interventions employed by humanitarian workers in addressing the diverse needs of IDPs; and analysed the specific challenges they encountered while operating in conflict zones. Human security theory was employed as the theoretical framework for the study. The study also used primary and secondary data, and employed discussion and descriptive method of analysis. Findings revealed that the humanitarian workers play a critical role in providing support to IDPs in areas such as healthcare, education, and protection. Also, findings revealed that the humanitarian workers face significant risks to their safety and security while delivering aid to IDPs within conflict zones. The study recommended enhance coordination among humanitarian organizations and government agencies to streamline efforts in providing assistance to IDPs; develop targeted interventions that address the unique needs and vulnerabilities of IDPs in conflict-affected areas; address logistical challenges and security threats that hinder the delivery of aid to conflict-affected areas, among others.

Trans-Border Land Migration and Crime in The Nigeria-Niger Border (2015-2023)

2025-03-04T10:42:32+00:00

The porous nature of the Nigeria-Niger border has, over the years, fueled illegal migration. This has been discovered to be among the factors responsible for the persistence of border crimes and, which, has posed a serious challenge to border security for the two countries. This paper examined the porosity of the border and shortage of manpower as responsible for the illegal land migration. The study analysis trans-border land migration and crime, within the framework of Securitization theory which believes that the ideas of security should not be limited to military or political aspect of threat alone, but also issues which affect regional and human security. The study used secondary data and the content analysis of the information generated by exploring and examining published texts on the Nigeria-Niger land border migration, border security, border crimes, smuggling, etc. In this regards, the data were collected solely through documentation of secondary sources, including review of related literature, and newspapers. The study finds that the porous nature of the borders breed regional insecurity and human security threats, the persistence of terrorism, insurgency, armed banditry, armed robbery, theft, smuggling, among many other social and security challenges in the border areas. Furthermore, there is inadequate manpower to secure the Nigeria-Niger border, and the need for a modern technology that can simplify prompt security response by both countries. The paper recommends that both borders need to be manned by more manpower and modern technology for instant identification of illegal migrants along the route by both countries.

The Impacts of Twitter (X) Diplomacy on Contemporary International Relations

2025-03-04T11:00:09+00:00

There is no gainsaying that social media has become a primary conduit of diplomacy and an arena for government-to-government interactions. In a Twitter diplomacy study conducted in 2018 and published by Burson and Wolfe, at least 97 percent of all 193 UN member states are currently active on Twitter (now rebranded as X), and they are increasingly eliciting public interest. The attention the public gives to world leaders’ tweets illustrates not only the political power of Twitter but also how Twitter challenges conventional diplomatic practices. In formal assemblies, social gatherings, unofficial meetings, and other state-to-state interactions, government officials and policymakers now use Twitter to communicate, transforming diplomacy over time. While it is a fact that social media especially Twitter is rising in popularity as a foreign policy tool, the political impacts of Twitter on international relations need to be interrogated. Thus, this paper analyses the impacts of Twitter (now X) diplomacy on contemporary international relations.