University of Nigeria Journal of Political Economy

Interrogating Ecological Resource Conflicts in the Benue Valley

Chigozie Joseph Nebeife, Gani Kate Ishaya, Ogbobe Emmanuel Okafor — Mon, 25 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Depletion of natural resources seems to have become a common phenomenon in most developing societies across the globe. In most countries of Africa, especially in Nigeria, natural resources tend to have engendered disputes characterized by recurring tussles for access and utilization of natural resources. For instance, the agricultural epicenter known as Benue valley consisting of Benue, Plateau and Taraba states of Nigeria have experienced series of mind-boggling and unthinkable bloodshed that led to thousands of deaths and displacements to avoidable conflicts over natural resources of the biosphere. This trajectory is attributable to ecological problems resulting to bio diversity loss and destruction of habitat occasioned by human distortions of nature manifest in desertification, deforestation and pollution amongst others. It is indicative that human activities such as wood extraction, air and water pollution, bush burning, grazing and poor irrigation management amongst others result in natural resource depletion with dire implications for socio-economic and environmental order. Thus, this paper interrogates ecological resource conflicts in the Benue Valley by x-raying human distortion of nature as a cause. Relying on the abstractions of eco-violence theory and qualitative data sourced from relevant literature, the paper posits that human distortion of nature results in biodiversity depletion, soil infertility and increased colossal soil erosion other undesirable changes in microclimate that culminate to depletion of natural resources which constitute a major trigger of conflicts in the Benue Valley. Such conflicts tend to create situations of terror and horror marked by killings and reprisal killings on regular basis which hampers rural development and undermines lives and livelihoods of the citizens within the area. The paper, therefore, recommends, among others, a synergy of inter-state agencies to fashion out mechanisms for preservation and protection of nature, curtailing human distortions of nature so as to curb ecological resource conflicts in Benue Valley.

THE IMPACT OF JOINT TASK FORCE OPERATION HADIN KAI ON SOCIO-POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN NORTHEAST NIGERIA USING A WHOLE-OF-SOCIETY APPROACH

Kingsley Chigozie Udegbunam , Charles Sokomba Akale — Mon, 25 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Nigeria's protracted insurgency in the Northeast, largely driven by Boko Haram and Islamic State in the West Africa Province, (ISWAP) has posed serious threats to national and regional stability, undermining security, displacing millions, and crippling socio-economic infrastructure. In response to these persistent threats, the Nigerian government launched Operation Hadin Kai in 2021 as a comprehensive military and civil-military strategy aimed at degrading insurgent capabilities and restoring normalcy. While notable military successes have been achieved, there is a need to assess the broader implications of the operation beyond battlefield victories. This study explores the socio-political and economic impact of Operation Hadin Kai using a whole-of-society approach. It examines the roles of civil society organizations, local governance institutions, traditional rulers, and humanitarian actors in shaping sustainable peace and development outcomes in Borno and Yobe States. Through survey data and participatory analysis, the research provides insight into how inclusive strategies contribute to community resilience, improved governance, and economic revitalization in post-insurgency contexts.

EVALUATION OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS AND CIVILIAN PROTECTION MANDATE OF THE UNITED NATIONS IN SOMALIA POST-CONFLICT ERA

Ugo Charity Innocent-Ihekoromadu — Mon, 25 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The management of conflicts in Africa is irresistible with overwhelming challenges, as the intra-state battles persist with limited resource support and protection of civilians as provided in the Charter of the United Nations. Subsequently, the dimension of global conflicts necessitated the formation of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) and to manage all the UN conflict interventions. The accounts of lingering skirmishes in the African continent are enormous and unwarranted by way of the continuous civil wars, increased human losses, dislocation of people and humanitarian requirements. The connection between the United Nations and Somalia conflict management, focused on the Security Council’s approved mandates through the efforts of the African Union in Somalia (AMISOM), and the United Nations Assistance in Somalia (UNSOM) in resolving this crisis within the period under review. The hitch of this study was on the institutional philosophy of global organisation, the qualitative approaches was adopted to analyse the effect of AMISOM and UNSOM on gender violence in Somalia. It is expected that the outcome of this study will add to knowledge, provide key insights in the relationship between AMISOM and UNSOM mandates on gender violence in Somalia, and offer strategies to address the issue. The findings revealed that the UN mandate for human rights and civilian protection was impede by clash of interests of state and non-state players to this conflict. Hence, recommend the evaluation of the United Nation structure to accommodate the trend of conflicts in these contemporary times; creation of the military department for UN own troops to avoid divided loyalty among peacekeepers.

National Security and Sustainable Development in Plateau State, Nigeria

Mon, 25 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Sustainable development, defined by the United Nations as meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, has gained global momentum as a cornerstone of economic, social, and environmental progress. Simultaneously, nationwide security encompasses a spectrum of challenges, including military stability, economic resilience, and social harmony, all of which are fundamental to sustainable development. Nigeria has been experiencing security challenges that threaten to undermine sustainable development in the country. Despite its abundant oil wealth, there has been an unimaginable level of poverty, unemployment, inequality, poor infrastructure, lack of social amenities and insignificant development. In light of this, the paper seeks to evaluate the impact of national security challenges on sustainable development in Nigeria with a particular reference to Plateau State. The study adopted the qualitative and descriptive methods of data analysis. Findings from the paper reveal, among others, that the security challenges in Plateau State, Nigeria have long historical antecedents, and the crises and conflicts in the State are the consequences of several years of neglect of youths and the vulnerable by successive governments in the State. The paper therefore recommends amongst others the Plateau State government should strengthening community-based security architecture, prioritize job creation through agro-industrial investments, microenterprise support, and vocational training, rebuilding Infrastructure and Public Services in Conflict-Affected Areas, leveraging technology and data for early warning and response, and establish a Plateau State Peace and Development Commission to coordinate the state’s response to insecurity and development recovery.

Western Civilisation, International Relations and Imperial Politico-Economic Policies

Peter Sakwe Masumbe — Mon, 25 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Western civilisation via international relations wittingly propels globalisation that transcends the somehow self-governing states’ boundaries. Nevertheless, these relations are essentially the internationalisation of Western sets of values, mostly couched in capitalist exploitation, foisted to fragilise non-Western societies, such as in postcolonial African states. More importantly, these relations and its globalizing trends falsely address issues related to global politics, economics, social, science, technology (especially technological transfer) and culture. Contestably, these relations and globalisation are purveyors for disregarding the basic needs of industrial capabilities beyond states in the Western hemisphere. Therefore, this paper examines the theoretical and empirical trends, characterising these relations and globalisation, as motored by Western civilisation’s imperial politico-economic policies, which virtually fragilise economic and political growth in postcolonial African states. Distinguished from benchmarks of human development – good governance, micro and macro-economic growth, and more, Western civilisation is rather framed as the antithesis of development through the deindustrialisation of postcolonial African states. Consequently, using the theory of imperialism, I argue that, relations galvanised by Western civilisation, stimulate states with unstable politico-economic policies, undemocratic political regimes, people’s impoverishment and widespread underdevelopment.

State Territorial Sovereignty and Human Security

James Chukwudi Emeh, Clifford Orona Obukeni, Christopher Simon Ogoyi — Mon, 25 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The long- established concept of security has always revolved around state establishment. A state- centric security architecture-which is tailored to protect state functionaries at the highest echelon of statecraft. The officials symbolized the state, hence, the latter and its government did everything humanly possible to ensure, no harm, either in body or estate befell those at the helm of state affairs. In such conception of security, the state personalities could afford to fiddle while Rome burns. Again, the state conceived in the image and likeness of the governing elite are wont to crush and decisively deal with citizens, who dare challenged the status quo. This particularization of security has led to, most often, to distancing the leaders from the led, to the extent that, the latter, more or less feels alienated, neglected and consigned to life of morbid inertia. This study posits that, security which neglects actual human security, which is encompassing has become obsolete and anachronistic. The methodology employed is the descriptive and qualitative method of data collection and analysis, using secondary sources of information. The researchers are of the view that, overwhelmingly protecting state functionaries to the detriment and neglect of human security might be a potential threat to state territorial sovereignty. For the state to be actually secured, human security should form the fulcrum of governance. The clinch of state-territorial security has led to the jettisoning of good governance, waste, misapplication and mismanagement of resources, with its attendant detrimental consequences for the maximum wellbeing of the citizenry.

Activism and the Emancipation of the Niger-Delta Region of Nigeria

Livinus Nwaugha, Irewunmi Banwo — Mon, 25 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This study examines militancy as one of the tools of activism in the Niger Delta region geared towards addressing pervasive inequity and marginalization in the region which predates independence in 1960. The spontaneity culminates to 12 days revolution in the Niger Delta region led by Isaac Adaka Boro in 1966 and, this however increased in intensity since the return of the democratic rule in Nigeria in 1999 with the emergence of movement for the survival of the Ogoni people (MOSOP) Niger Delta volunteer group (NVG) Egbusi Boys (EBs), movement for the emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND). This activism extends to different parts of Nigerian states such as; Indigenous people of Biafra (IPOB) in the south eastern, Boko Haram (Islamic jihadist fundamentalist) and lakurawa in the Northern part and the Oodua people’s congress (OPC) in the Western part and other anomic groups such as EndSARS in 2020 to address police brutality. However the study adopted anomic theory as the theoretical lens while data was sourced through secondary and primary source. The primary data were sourced through semi structured interview where 25 respondents’ were purposively selected from the three states of Delta(8),Bayelsa (8) and Rivers(9)while the secondary data were sourced through journal articles, periodicals, government reports, newspapers and internet based materials, and data analyzed in thematic content. The study found that activism is a useful tool for the advancement of any society that deployed it for social justice, and the study concludes that activism whether it metamorphose to militancy or not is a critical instrument for addressing societal injustice and, as well as to hold government accountable

GENDER-INCLUSIVE POLICIES AND THEIR IMPACT ON SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC GROWTH IN ABUJA, NIGERIA

Theresa Omang Okoli, Daniel Amehojo — Mon, 25 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Gender inclusivity is vital for sustainable economic growth, especially in developing urban centers like Abuja, Nigeria. This study examines how gender-inclusive policies drive economic development and reduce disparities in employment, entrepreneurship, leadership, and financial access. It evaluates government initiatives, legal frameworks, and private sector interventions promoting gender equity. Despite policy advancements, gender disparities persist due to socio-cultural norms, legal constraints, and institutional inefficiencies. Challenges include weak policy implementation, limited financial support for women-led enterprises, and gender biases in leadership. Through policy analysis, stakeholder interviews, and economic impact assessments, the study explores how gender inclusion enhances productivity, reduces poverty, and supports sustainable development goals (SDGs). Findings indicate that stronger gender policies boost labor force participation, business innovation, and economic resilience. The study recommends that the Federal government should enforce gender-friendly workplace policies, such as equal pay, parental leave, and flexible work arrangements, to further increase female labour force participation, also that financial institutions should expand access to gender-responsive funding, including grants and micro-loans, to support business growth and innovation among female entrepreneurs.

China-Nigeria Bilateral Relations and the Growth of the Manufacturing Sector in Nigeria

Emeka J. Onyetube — Mon, 25 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This study examines the bilateral relations between China and Nigeria and their influence on promoting the growth of Nigeria’s manufacturing sector, focusing on local sourcing of raw materials and industrial development. The research also investigates the impact of these bi-relations on human capital development and how they support the growth of local industries. The dependency theory and comparative advantage theory were deployed in this study. While the dependency theory argues that developing countries like Nigeria risk becoming economically dependent on stronger economies such as China, hindering industrial growth and encouraging exploitation. In contrast, comparative advantage theory suggests that countries should specialize in goods they can produce at lower opportunity costs. This underscores Nigeria’s role as a raw material exporter and China’s as a supplier of manufactured goods, raising concerns about how such trade dynamics affect local industrialization. The study employed a qualitative approach, analyzing secondary data from journals, books, official documents, online sources, and statistics from the National Bureau of Statistics. By adopting thematic and discourse analytic tools, the study revealed little growth in the manufacturing sector as a result of the bilateral relations between the two countries. Findings indicate that the Nigerian manufacturing sector is yet to experience significant positive growth despite several years of bilateral relations between both countries. The paper recommends strict compliance with the provisions of the trade agreement and industrial policy provisions to protect and promote domestic industrial growth.

Paradox of Counterterrorism

Celestine Uchechukwu Udeogu, Victor Chidubem Iwuoha, Hilary Nwokeoma Obike — Mon, 25 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This study examines Boko Haram-ISWAP-ISIS’ affiliation and the travails of the Nigerian military in the counterterrorism campaign between 2011 and 2021. It relies on qualitative and documentary methods of data collection as well as content analysis. The study develops the concepts of ‘convergence of security threat’ and ‘less convergence of security support’ to explain how Boko Haram-ISWAP-ISIS partnership is implicated in scaling up ISWAP’s tactical capability in carrying out more successful deadly attacks against the hardest targets – Nigerian military forces, army bases and facilities, killing scores of military personnel and carting away important fighting equipment with less push back. It further argues that while Boko Haram-ISWAP-ISIS strategic cooperation depicts considerable inflows of financial, tactical and force training supports, leading to a more formidable and battle-ready ISWAP; the Nigerian military has had marginal and stunted regional and international counterterrorism supports with less strategic capability to withstand or repel the costly terrorist offensives. This spells the need for the Nigerian military to invest heavily in rallying/building/leveraging cooperative regional and international counterterrorism supports in the fight against terror.

TRAJECTORIES OF US AFRICA RELATIONS UNDER TRUMP ADMINISTRATION

Bello Sanusi Dantata — Mon, 25 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This study examines the trajectories of U.S.-Africa relations under the Trump administration, focusing on key shifts in diplomacy, trade, security, and development cooperation. The objective is to analyze how the administration’s policies influenced Africa’s political and economic landscape and assess their long-term implications for bilateral and multilateral engagements. The study employs a qualitative research approach, relying exclusively on secondary data sources, including policy documents, government reports, scholarly articles, and analyses from international organizations. Findings indicate that the Trump administration adopted a transactional and security-driven approach to Africa, emphasizing counterterrorism cooperation while reducing traditional diplomatic and development engagements. The administration’s “America First” policy led to cuts in foreign aid, skepticism toward multilateral institutions, and disengagement from major U.S.-Africa initiatives such as the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). Furthermore, policy inconsistencies and negative rhetoric about the continent strained diplomatic relations. However, economic ties remained significant, with an increased focus on private-sector investment over traditional aid mechanisms, particularly through the Prosper Africa initiative. The study highlights that these shifts altered Africa’s geopolitical alignments, prompting many African nations to strengthen partnerships with China, the European Union, and other global powers. The relevance of this study lies in its contribution to understanding how U.S. policy shifts influence Africa’s development trajectory and strategic decisions. By providing a critical assessment of U.S.-Africa relations under Trump, this research offers insights into future engagement strategies and the evolving dynamics of global influence on the African continent.

ELITE DOMINANCE AND DEMOCRATIZATION IN AFRICA

Cyril Obinna Nnamchi — Mon, 25 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Democratization which encompasses full operation of civil and political rights, effective political participation in functional democratic institutions that engenders good governance and economic development have not been manifest in Africa for decades of democratic practice. This is attributed to cultural disparity between Europe and Africa, the pangs of colonialism, nature and dispositions of the political elites amongst other factors. Consequently, this study investigated the link between democracy and African environment, role of political elites on democratization in Africa and factors that encourage developmental state emergence in Nigeria with special focus on Southeast Nigeria. Elite theory which its central idea opines that power in a society is concentrated in the hands of a small group of individuals or organizations rather than being distributed equally among the population was adopted as theoretical framework. The study also adopted mixed method approach which combines both qualitative and quantitative research procedures. However, the study identified a correlation between democracy and African environment (R = 0.821, p = 0.012), also, significant influence of political elites in democratization in Africa was identified (R = 0.795, p = 0.015) amongst other findings. The study recommended prioritization of hybrid democratic system that integrate indigenous governance practices and democratic principles in Africa to realize democracy and development.

THE FOURTH REPUBLIC NIGERIAN PUBLIC SERVICE REFORMS AND THE BURDEN OF SERVICE DELIVERY, 1999-2023

Chibuike Sylvester Onyekwere — Mon, 25 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Reform efforts embarked upon by different levels of government in many states are worrisome. Various degrees of reforms have been introduced since independence to advance Nigerian socio-economic development. Some of these have been macro in outlook, some political and some much more restricted to the pubic service. Despite the commitment at reforming the public service, the set objectives are yet to be realized. Since the return of democratic rule in 1999, administrative reforms have been seen as key strategy to accelerate the socio-economic development of the country. Some key reform strategies and sectors were Power, Pension, Treasury Single Account (TSA), Integrated Payroll Personnel and Information System (IPPIS), Privatization, etc. All these reforms were largely geared towards enhancing accountability, transparency and reduction in cost governance. This study therefore, interrogated the impact of public service reforms on service delivery in Nigeria. It tried to examine various reforms that were implemented between 1999 and 2023, and how they affected the performance of the Nigerian public service on its roles and activities. To address this objective, the following research questions were raised: Has the Nigerian public service reforms enhanced service delivery within the period under review?. The study was anchored on Max Weber theory of legal rational bureaucracy and the qualitative method of data collection was used to glean data from observation and documentary evidence of secondary sources. The ex-post-facto research design and qualitative descriptive analysis were employed with logical induction in analysis.The study revealed that the reforms did not achieve the desired objectives to making the civil service more professional, efficient and service oriented. On the basis of our findings, the study makes a case among others on the need for government to live above designing reforms only on paper rather, efforts should be made on implementation and monitoring and evaluation of the impact in the public service.

Political Economy of Nigeria-Benin Republic Bilateral Relations

Michael E. Nwokedi, Christopher U. Obasi — Mon, 25 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000

At the dawn of the 21^st Century, the Nigerian economy is in dire straits. The Country’s frantic search for development underscores the need for a constant review of diplomatic, economic and defence/security relations with next door neighbours, with a view to harnessing such relations for development. Given her proximity to Nigeria, the Republic of Benin is considered critical to Nigeria’s development especially in terms of Nigeria’s anti-smuggling crusade which comes as part of efforts to revive the Nigerian economy; with attendant implications for national security. The Republic of Benin also seeks to maximize the benefits of diplomatic relations with Nigeria, in view of the latter’s status as the largest economy in West Africa. However, there are fears that Nigeria has not maximized the benefits of her relations with Benin Republic. Worse still, it appears that the Republic of Benin is leveraging Nigeria’s diplomatic gaffes to advance her economic interests. Accordingly, this paper explores the trajectory of diplomatic, economic and defence/security relations between Nigeria and Benin Republic. Applying the Interdependence Theory, it exposes the lopsidedness of economic benefits in Nigeria-Benin Republic relations and makes recommendations in the interest of Nigeria. Data collation was qualitative while research design is exploratory.

Gender Equity in Environmental Governance

Rahmatu Buba — Mon, 25 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Women’s inclusion in sustainability policymaking across Africa is crucial for driving transformative change. This study examines their contributions to climate resilience, resource management, and community development through a document analysis of policy frameworks, reports, and case studies. Key initiatives such as Kenya’s Green Energy Advocacy and Ethiopia’s Sustainable Agriculture Networks highlight gender-sensitive approaches in governance. Grounded in an intersectional feminist theoretical lens, the research underscores the need to integrate gender perspectives while addressing Africa’s socio-economic dynamics. Despite persistent barriers such as patriarchal norms and limited leadership access, women’s active participation leads to enhanced sustainability outcomes, including improved agricultural practices, disaster response strategies, and access to clean energy. Grassroots movements such as Nigeria’s clean water campaigns and Malawi’s climate adaptation programs demonstrate the transformative impact of inclusive policies. To overcome systemic challenges, the study advocates for capacity-building programs, gender-focused advocacy networks, and culturally tailored strategies. Strengthening women’s leadership in environmental governance accelerates progress toward Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), fostering resilience and inclusivity.