NIGERIA, SHARIA PRAXIS AND NATIONAL INTEGRATION: ANY LESSONS FROM THE SUDAN EXPERIENCE? (Published)
This paper examines critically the implication of wide scale adoption of sharia in a multi religious and pluralistic Nigeria. Specifically, it studies the effect of the legal system on the national integration and unity which paradoxically constitutes mantra in the mouth of almost every Nigerian national. It is discovered that the entrenchment of the criminal and non-personal aspects of Islamic law by the core northern states had become a counter-point on the corporate existence of Nigeria. This is more so as the country’s Constitution had restricted the application of sharia to its personal regime. The Boko Haram menace that ravages the country and its environs may not be unconnected with the much dreamt of islamization of the whole sovereign enclave. Yet, it is further noted that the huge population of southern Christians that virtually constitute half of the nation’s population cannot be cowed into the proselytist agenda. This development is a threat to national unity. A comparative analysis of the socio-legal phenomenon in relation to Sudan before the emergence of South Sudan was a task before the writer, especially as the Muslim/Christian ratio in the pre-divided Sudan resembles that in Nigeria. More still, the comparison is ad rem as the north-south religious divide in both jurisdictions is almost coterminous. This study recommends national dialogue, religious toleration, patriotic spirit, avoidance of fanaticism, inter alia, as antidote to disintegration.
Keywords: Law, National integration, Nigeria, Sharia, South Sudan, Sudan
CHINA – NIGERIA RELATIONS: PROSPECTS AND CHALLENGES (Review Completed - Accepted)
The study centred on China- Nigeria Relations. China-Nigeria Relation spans a wide spectrum of areas: politics, trade, investment, aid, technology, science, culture, education, health and military. The growing economic ties between China and Nigeria require detailed analysis to determine the prospects and challenges so as to ascertain the benefits on both sides. Qualitative analysis was the main anchor and its descriptive in nature, drawing largely from secondary sources from analytical standpoint. The prospects are: adequate infrastructure in Nigeria through China’s financial resources will improve investment climate in the country, ability to do quality work at a fast rate, simplification of their access to capital, strengthen infrastructure, revive the agricultural sector, china provide trade not aid, Nigerians could borrow from Chinese character of discipline, purposeful leadership and deliverability, China’s investment focus in agriculture, light industry, machinery, infrastructure, construction, information technology and tourism will be added impetus to Nigerian Economy. Nigeria may gain from technical assistance and scientific cooperation. The Challenges are: Domestic firms may lose as a result of lack of competitiveness, trade imbalance, stifles technological transfer, tax evasion, slave wages, poor working conditions, Economic inequality, uncoordinated leadership and policy. Strong pressure must be placed on Nigerian leaders to effectively balance Chinese engagement to maximize growth and opportunity.
Keywords: China, Economy, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), Infrastructure, Nigeria, Relations, Trade