ASSESSING ECOWAS PROTOCOL FREE MOVEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT OF NIGERIAN ECONOMY

Abstract

The alarming rate and growing incidence of unchecked or undocumented exodus of various nationals across borders has become more disheartening globally most especially in developing nations like Nigeria. The study examined the effect of ECOWAS Protocol on Nigeria's economic development. State First Approach was adopted as a theoretical framework. The method of data collection was premised on both primary and secondary methods of data collections. Questionnaire and Personal Interview were employed as instruments for primary data, while for secondary method, sources like research papers, policy papers, documents, journals, magazines, seminars, workshop papers and handbook were utilized. The study established that the lack of political will among ECOWAS members to submit part of their sovereignty and the lack of trust among member-states are challenges proper implementation of the policies and protocol under review. It was recommended that the commission should review the provisions of the movement of goods, persons and right of establishments, economic development and trade liberalization policies to meet up with the current economic needs of her member-states.