Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Protocol on Free Movement and National Security: A Case Study of Nigeria (Published)
Ensuring the safety and security of countries is a priority for governments worldwide. As a member of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Nigeria has supported the integration and movement of goods, people, and services through the adoption of the Protocol on Free Movement (PFM). However, the unrestricted movement of people across porous borders can pose security threats, particularly with the trafficking of small arms and light weapons (SALW). This paper examines the potential security threats that could arise from the protocol on free movement of people and goods and highlights the importance of collaboration with other countries to achieve safe and secure borders. The study utilized a desk research method that relied heavily on secondary data to analyze relevant materials. The findings indicate that while the protocol enhances economic integration and financial stability, organized transnational criminal networks have taken advantage of free movement to perpetuate various forms of crime such as human trafficking, arms trafficking, and terrorism. The paper argues that regional integration is crucial but must be balanced with the need to maintain National Security in Nigeria. To address the challenges posed by free movement, the paper recommends that the Nigerian government needs to be strategic while endorsing international treaties to reflect the national interest of securing the Country. Strategies should be developed to monitor porous borders to check the illegal flow of arms, and efforts should be made to mop up illegal arms through the speedy establishment of the National Commission for the coordination and control of the proliferation of small Arms and Light Weapon (NATCOM) bill awaiting assent from the president. Additionally, intelligence sharing should be enhanced to promote regional integration while maintaining national security.
Keywords: Economic Integration, Ecowas, National Security, PFM, arms proliferation
The Evolution of Privatization in Brazil: The Case of Embraer (Published)
State participation in the economy has been intensely debated over the past three decades. In Brazil, especially after the advent of the Federal Constitution in 1988. Privatization in Brazil, however, was instituted by Law 8.130/90, which established the National Plan for Privatization, aiming at transferring to the private sector activities unduly exploited by the public sector. In this article, we investigated one of the most significant privatizations in Brazilian history, the case of Embraer, the world’s third largest civil aircraft manufacturer. Key findings pointed out a complex privatization process, including golden share vetoes and institutional challenges faced by Embraer, such as the first Brazilian company to adopt the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) fully. In addition, the careful analysis suggested implications for the reduction of public debt. Also, the resumption of investments in companies and activities transferred to the private sector, modernization of the country’s industrial park, increasing its competitiveness, and reinforcing business capacity in Embraer’s jet C-series sector and military aircraft, for instance. Also, implications for the public administration to focus its efforts on actions where the State’s presence is necessary for achieving national priorities. Finally, the strengthening of the capital market, as well as the democratization of the ownership of the capital of Embraer are topics to be debated in the present article.
Keywords: Foreign Direct Investments, National Security, Privatization, civil aviation, economic growth
Terrorism and the Challenge of National Development: Rethinking the Nigerian Dilemma (Review Completed - Accepted)
Terrorism in whatever dimension poses threat and insecurities to human existence in regards to which defenseless nations live in perpetual fears and anxiety. Knowing full well that Security is presently a major challenge in Nigeria and Nigerians are killed on daily basis and in their numbers. Though the government claims to be on top of the situation, the problem persists. The effects of these acts of terrorism are the threats they posed to national security, peace, unity and development of the country. This paper examines Terrorism and the Challenge of National Development, rethinking the Nigerian Dilemma. It provides a basic discourse on the concept of terrorism and national development while focusing on basic issues such on the development perspective. It also analyzes the implications of terrorism which range from economic crises to political instability. This paper observes that there is a negative relationship between terrorism and development in accordance with literature and hence recommends that the government should take the business of addressing issues of terrorism as priority one on the agenda.
Keywords: Dilemma, National Development, National Security, Political Instability, Terrorism, Underdevelopment