AN ASSESSMENT OF THE ECONOMIC CHALLENGES CONFRONTING RELATIONS BETWEEN REPUBLIC OF NIGER – NIGERIA
Mohammed Bala Adamu , Abdulrasheed Adamu PhD , Yusuf Musa Yahaya PhD and Umar Faruq Musa PhD
Volume 13 Issue 1
Abstract
This study examined the bilateral economic relations between Nigeria and Niger Republic 2015- 2020, the level of regional integration between the countries Nigeria and Niger; examines the challenges confronting these engagements. This study employed a qualitative method. A purposive sampling technique was used in selecting the key informants such as officials from the Ministry of External Affairs, Economic Community of West African States, and office in Abuja, Niger Embassy office in Kano and Abuja and Ministry of Information. The data collected from the field was analysed based on thematic content analysis according to the research questions. The study finding revealed that the economic trade relations between Nigeria and Niger involved energy, agricultural, education, and transportation. The trade contributed toward economic integration between Nigeria and Niger. The study revealed that Nigeria and Niger are intimate because of the historic economic ties existing between the two countries which include the socio-economic interaction between Katsina and Maradi. The study reveals that the challenges confronting Nigeria and Niger's economic relation include trade between Nigeria and Niger that led to the destruction of local industries due to the high rate of smuggling. Several clashes also occurred between the smugglers and their cohorts. The study recommended that Nigeria and Niger should intensify the joint border patrols to tackle smuggling and insurgency affecting the two countries and equally strengthening the activities of international organizations such as ECOWAS and NEPAD should continue involve in creating regional integration between Nigeria, Niger and other neighboring countries. Keywords: Economic, ECOWAS, Challenges, Niger, Nigeria
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