Seme Border Closure and Nigeria's Trading Partners in Africa
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47941/ijecop.726Keywords:
Immediate Neighbours, Land Borders, Mercantilism, Trading Partners, Protectionist Policy, Security.Abstract
The purpose of this paper on "Seme Border Closure and Nigeria's Trading Partners in Africa" aimed at exploring the dynamics of the Nigeria's land borders closure with Benin Republic as it affected her trading partners in Africa. Methodology adopted was descriptive design that relied on judgmental sampling technique. Secondary data (books, journal articles, monographs, internet materials etc) were sourced in Nigerian libraries and subjected to content validity before analyzing it qualitatively. Result of the findings revealed that smuggling of rice and petroleum product, including insecurity are the major reasons Nigeria closed land border with her immediate neighbour, Benin Republic. The closure has led to an increase in revenue accrued to the federation account and increase local rice production and consumption. Regrettably, it fostered inflation in Nigeria, triggered hardship in Benin Republic and prompted retaliatory measure from Ghana. Most importantly, the land border closure negated the essence of Nigeria being a signatory to the Economic community of West African States as well as a signatory to African Continental Free Trade Area. These findings have contributed to the understanding and further explanation of the Theory of Mercantilism. Nigeria cannot survive in isolation; hence, the paper recommends domestic policy adjustment that focuses on interest free loan to local producers as well as establishment of Joint Border Guard with immediate neighbours. These measures would lead to growth and development not land border closure that isolates Nigeria from the comity of nations and further denies her the benefit of globalization.
Downloads
References
Adetula, V. (2008). Cross Border Crime in West Africa and the Implication for Nigeria’s National Security and External Relations. African Peace Review Journal of the African Centre for Strategic Research and Studies. 1(2), 80-90.
Ajibefun, B. (2018). Social and Economic Effects of the Menace of Fulani Herdsmen Crises in Nigeria. Journal of Educational and Social Research. 8(2), 133-139.
Allen. G. (1980). Japan’s Economic Policy, London, Macmillan Press Ltd.
Ani, E., Baajon, M. &Samuila, A. (2020). Border Closure: Implication on Nigerian Economy. 10SR Journal of Economics and Finance. 11(3), 21-32.
Ayeni, T. (October 29, 2020). Nigeria – Ghana trade tensions: Proof AfCFTA may not bring unity. Retrieved from https://www.theafricareport.com/47795/nigeria-ghana-trade-tensions-proof-afcfta-may-not-bring-unity/.Accessed on 9th April, 2021
Baylis, J. & Smith, S. (2001). The Globalization of World Politics: An Introduction to International Relations. New York, Oxford University Press.
Blum, C. (2014). Cross-Border Flows between Nigeria and Benin: What are the Challenges for (human) Security? Abuja, Fredrich Ebert Stitting, 4-11.
Davis, S. (2008). Illegal Oil Bunkering in the Niger Delta. Niger Delta Peace and Security Strategy Working Papers, 1-28.
Ejiofor, A. (December10, 2010). Strengthening Security in Gulf of Guinea. Retrieved from www.thisdaylive.com/article/strengtheningsecurity-in Gulf of Guinea. Accessed on 11th April 2021.
Ekanem, E. (2014). Niger Delta Crisis and Nigeria’s External Relations, 1990-2013 (Unpublished Doctoral Thesis), Benue State University, Makurdi, Nigeria.
Ekpo, U. (2014). Nigeria Industrial Policies and Industrial Sector Performance Analytical Exploration, 10SR Journal of Economics and Finance, 3(4), 1-11.
Enehikhuere, T. (December 18, 2019). Re-issued Nigeria’s Border Closure: The Pains, Gains and Challenges. Retrieved from https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2019/12/18/re-issued-nigerias-border-closure-the-pains-gains-and-challenges/. Accessed on 9th April, 2021.
Essessinou, R. Degla, G. &Hounsa, M. (2020). Effects of the Nigeria Land Borders Closure on Benin Economy: Measured from an Input-Output Model. American Journal of Economics, 10(2), 69-81.
Fayinka, A. (2004). Food Security in Nigeria: Challenges Under Democratic Dispensation. Paper Presented at 9th ARMTI Annual Lecture, March 24, 2004, 1-30.
Garner, R. Ferdinand, P.&Lawsons (2009). Introduction to Politics. New York, Oxford University Press.
Gereft, G. (1994). Big Business and the State. Latin America and East-Asia Compared. In Seligson, M. and Passe-Smith, J. (Eds). Development and Underdevelopment: The Political Economy of Inequality (36-42), London, Lynne Rienner Publishers.
Ghins, L. &Heinrigs, P. (November19,2019). Nigeria’s border closure: Why it will not pay off. Retrieved from https://oecd-development-matters.org/2019/11/19/nigerias-border-closure-why-it-will-not-pay-off/. Accessed on 9th April, 2021
Golul, S.Mbaye, A. &Diop, C. (2019). Benin’s Informal Trading with Nigeria, Oxford, Oxford Policy Management.
Guarino, A. (March 1, 2018). The Economic Effects of Trade Protectionism. Retrieved from https://www.focus-economics.com/blog/effects-of-trade-protectionism-on-economy. Accessed on 9th April, 2021
Hoffman, C. &Melly, P. (2015). Nigeria’s Booming Borders: the Drivers and Consequences of Unrecorded Trade. London, Chatham House Report, 1-45
Human Rights Watch (2005). Rivers and Blood: Guns, Oil and Power in Nigeria’s Rivers State: Human Rights Briefing 1-28.
Ibrahim, B. & Singh, D. (2020). Challenges and Prospects Underpinning the Nigeria’s Policy of Closing Land Border: A Lesson for other African Countries. Our Heritage Journal, 22(1), 225-237.
Issac, A. (June 12,2007). Economic Nationalism or Progressive Globalisation? The choice for modern government. Retrieved from https://www.smf.co.uk/publications/economic-nationalism-or-progressive-globalisation-the-choice-for-modern-government/. Accessed on 9th April, 2021
Jackson, R. & Sorensen, G. (2007). Introduction to International Relations: Theories and Approaches. New York, Oxford University Press.
Jhingan, M. Girija, M. &Sasikala, C. (2011). History of Economic Thought. Delhi Urinda Publications (P) Ltd.
Kegley, C &Willkopf, E. (1993). World Politics: Trend and Transformation: New York St. Martin’s Press.
Liedong, T. (October 27, 2019). Nigeria’s border closure has implications for Africa’s economic integration. Retrieved from https://theconversation.com/nigerias-border-closure-has-implications-for-africas-economic-integration-125592. Accessed on 9th April, 2021
List, F. (1966). The National System of Political Economy. New York, Kelley.
Mun, T. (1964) England’s Treasure by Foreign Trade Reset and Reprinted. Oxford, Basil Blackwell.
Obi, C. (1999). The Impact of Oil on Nigeria’s Revenue Allocation System; Problems and Prospects for National Reconstruction. In Amuwu, K. (ed). Federalism and Political Restructuring in Nigeria (66-80). Ibadan, Spectrum Books Ltd.
Ogbeide, C. (2008). Discuss on the Essential Features of Effective Defence and Account Why Nigeria has Failed. Being a Seminar Paper Presented at the Centre for Strategic and Development Studies (CSDS) Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma on 15th November 2009, 26-30.
Oguntoye, P. (Jan 20, 2020). Border closure: Impact on the Nigerian economy. Retrieved from https://businessday.ng/opinion/article/border-closure-impact-on-the-nigerian-economy/. Accessed on 10th April, 2021
Ogunwusi, B., Nzeako, I. &Utulu, A. (Nov 24, 2019). Impact of Border Closure on Nigeria’s Economy. Retrieved from https://www.independent.ng/impact-of-border-closure-on-nigerias-economy/. Accessed on 10th April, 2021
Ojukortu, V. (2008). The Internationalization of Oil Violence in the Niger Delta of Nigeria. Alternative Turkish Journal of International Relations, 7(1), 93-102.
Okolo, V. &Obidigbo, C. (2015). Food Security in Nigeria. An Examination of Good Availability and Accessibility in Nigeria. International Journal of Economics and Management Engineering, 9(9), 26-30.
Okon, A. (October 15,2019). Emerging gains and losses of Nigeria’s border closure. Retrieved from https://punchng.com/emerging-gains-and-losses-of-nigerias-border-closure/. Accessed on 9th April, 2021
Omende, A. (2006). Nigeria’s Relations with Her Neighbours. Ibadan, KamlaRas.
Ravenhill, J. (2008). Global Political Economy. New York, Oxford Unviersity Press.
Robert, N. &Azubuike, C. (2005). The State, Politics and Deindustrialization in Nigeria: The challenges of Industrialization: A Pathway to Nigeria Becoming a Highly Industrialized Country in the year 2015: Nigeria Economic Society, 307-336.
Soule, B. & Obi, C. (2001). Prospects for Trade Between Nigeria and its Neighbours. New York, OECD Report, 3-41.
Unah, C. (December 2, 2019). Nigeria border closure causes economic shock. Retrieved from https://african.business/2019/12/trade-investment/nigeria-border-closure-causes-economic-shock/. Accessed on 10th April, 2021
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2021 Ekanem, Ekanem Asukwo (Ph.D)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) 4.0 License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
