Chapter one

Introduction

1.1  Background to the study

According to Olokun (2002) every state has some sort of connection to another. In the present era, no state can escape getting involved in international issues, but this involvement needs to be methodical and grounded in particular principles. In other words, states must act in a certain way towards one another. Even though a state without a foreign policy is like a ship without a captain who may drift aimlessly and be carried away by a storm of current events, the formulation of Nigeria's foreign relations is therefore a crucial task for a contemporary state.

According to Asante (2018) What a state intends to do is determined by its interests; what it is really able to do depends on its military, economic, and diplomatic prowess. The principles governing Nigerian relations have remained unchanged throughout the country's foreign policy history since 1960. These shaky international ties are mostly the fault of Nigerian leaders. Evidently, Nigeria's foreign policy is profoundly anchored in Africa and places a strategic priority on nonalignment with other countries, peaceful conflict resolution, and political and economic cooperation. Nigerian leaders are similarly focused on the effective application of these ideas. Nonetheless, because different leaders have different approaches to managing external relations, the impact of individual personalities on Nigeria's relations with other nations cannot be completely disregarded.

In order to lead an African Renaissance, the New Partnership for Africa's Development was established in 2001 in Abuja, Nigeria (Aina 2017). The New Partnership for African Development, which was established as the most recent policy framework for the advancement of Africa and West Africa in the new millennium, has drawn a lot of attention and sparked intense discussion both inside and outside of Africa about its objectives, applicability, and even future prospects and potential and also how these objectives can be effectively carried out through relations between Nigeria and other West African countries. This is partly due to the increased pace of competition between African countries  in a ‘rapidly globalizing world’, and the growing concerns in some areas of the west world on how Africa can achieve sustainable growth and development in the 21st century.

            Asante (2018)  opined that Access to international monetary institutions, Loans, and aid has historically highlighted the logic of African progress. Debt peonage resulted from Loans which has continued to impede the development of  Nigeria and west African nations (Qobo 2017). Half of Africa's population, or 340 million people, survive on less than $1 a day. Life expectancy is barely 54 years, and there are 140 deaths per 1000 children under the age of 5. Just 58 percent of people have access to clean water. For those over 15, the illiteracy rate is 41%(Olokun 2002). This can only be effective solved when Nigeria and other west African countries cooperate through it relations and with the help of the introduction New Partnership for Africa's Development.

The New Partnership for Africa's Development Programme for African advancement calls for a reversal of  the problem facing Nigeria and other west African states. According to NEPAD's strategy document, the programme aims to eradicate poverty in Africa and to establish African countries both individually and together on a path of long-term growth and development, thereby halting the marginalization process" (Dashe 2015).

            However, one of the greatest challenges facing the African continent today is the problem of poverty and also the lack adequate diplomatic relations between the so called African countries especially in the west region of the continent to effective implement the NEPAD objectives (Aina 2017). West Africa today faces acute economic difficulties and lack of foreign diplomacy. Several attempts have been made at seeking ways to increase the level of development and reduce poverty in Nigeria and west Africa. One of the strategies adopted to achieve this objective is economic integration through diplomatic relations between west African countries (Dashe 2015).

            The poverty level in Nigeria and other west Africa countries is galloping (Oshewole, 2011). Almost 70% of people live in absolute poverty, which is a serious and pervasive problem (Okonjo-Iweala, Soludo and Muhtar, 2003). According to statistics, the prevalence of poverty at the US $1 per day rate rose from 28.1 percent in 1980 to 46.3 percent in 1985, then fell to 42.7 percent in 1992 before rising once more to 65.6 percent in 1996. In 1997, the incidence rose to 69.2 percent (CDD, 2014). The 2010 Report by the National Planning Commission indicates that poverty level in west Africa has decreased to 55 percent (Chilaka and Odoh, 2014). But by 2015 the poverty rate had risen again to 69.1 percent. It observed that the fact that the poverty rate is increasing while the GDP growth rate is estimated to be 7.75% makes the situation more concerning.

            About fifteen ministries, fourteen specialised agencies, nineteen donor agencies, and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in Nigeria have participated in the decades-long NEPAD initiative to fight poverty, but 70 percent of Nigerians and West Africans still live in poverty due to the lack of cooperation between African nations in resolving the issue (Soludo, 2003).

Observers such as Adesopo (2008) and Omotola (2008) have all agreed that government initiatives over time have failed to accomplish the goals they were intended to. Infrastructure decay, widespread corruption, bad governance, and lack of accountability have been generally held responsible for the ineffectiveness of the effort to tackle the issue (Okonjo-Iweala, Soludo and Muhtar, 2003). 

NEPAD is a commitment made by African and west African leaders based on a shared vision and a firm belief that they have an urgent duty to end poverty, put their nations on a path of sustainable growth, both personally and collectively, and, at the same time, actively participate in the global economy and political system. The Program is founded on Africans' commitment to free themselves and the continent from the gloom of underdevelopment and isolation in a globalised world(Brohman 2016).

            New Partnership for Africa's Development is the outcome of 3 distinct efforts by three different organizations (individuals). The first is the Millennium Africa Recovery Plan (MAP), which was introduced at the World Economic Forum in Davos in January 2001 under the direction of South African President Thabo Mbeki. The Omega Plan, developed by the Head of state of Senegal, Abdoulaye Wade, and displayed to the Francophone African Leaders Conference in Cameroon in January 2001, is the second intervention (Qobo 2017). The Compact for African Recovery, started by the former Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), K.Y. Amoako, in reply to a directive from African Ministers of Finance in late 2000, is the third intervention (Regional Coordination Mechanism - Africa, 2007), this can be seen as the collective relations of African leaders in solving the problem of Poverty through NEPAD  

All three initiatives share a common interest in increasing the pace and impact of west Africa and Africa's development. While these initiatives share common characteristics, there were also differences reflecting the regional and other biases of the originators. Compromises had to be made in order to merge the three proposals into one initiative. New Partnership for Africa's Development thus reflects the compromises involved in arriving at a single initiative. New Partnership for Africa's Development is a road map for accelerated economic growth and sustainable development with a view to eradicating widespread poverty and halting the marginalization of Africa in the globalization process.

             Nigeria has, over the years, contributed immensely to the development of the west Africa through it relations with west African countries such as Senegal, Ghana etc in using the organization to help fight economic problems such as poverty  and also help to empower women in the region and Africa at large etc . Successive Nigerian governments have consistently championed efforts aimed at enhancing the integration and connectedness, at both sub-regional and continental levels, of  West African countries. The creation of the, the establishment of the New partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) and, the contribution to peace-keeping and peace-making efforts across the west Africa, and considerable financial commitment to regional integration efforts, can be listed as some of Nigeria’s achievements through New Partnership for Africa's Development and it relations with other west African countries. It Is to this the Study Centers On The Impact Of New Partnership For African Development On Nigeria’s Relations With West African Countries (1999-2000).

1.2 Statement Of The Problem

The impact of the New Partnership for Africa's Development has been hampered by a number of technical and financial constraints that have had an influence on people from different social classes (Property class and Bottom class) in Nigeria. The New Partnership for Africa's Development document acknowledges that there are issues on the African continent that need to be resolved. It rightly observes that “Half of Africa's population, or 340 million persons, survives on less over $1 per day. The average lifespan after birth is only 54 years, and there are 140 deaths per 1000 children under the age of 5. Just 58 percent of people have access to clean water. 41 percent of adults over the age of 15 are illiterate. In Africa, there are only 18 mainline telephones per 1000 persons, compared to 146 worldwide and 567 in high-income nations” (NEPAD, 2001). All of these facts point to the numerous challenges that Nigeria, west Africa, and the entire African continent face today. It is commendable that the New Partnership for Africa's Development seeks to tackle these problems, but it will only be possible to do so through effective diplomatic ties between Nigeria and its contemporaries in West Africa.

The proper execution of NEPAD programmes in Nigeria and west Africa is critically hampered by the lack of funding for NEPAD projects. As a framework for socioeconomic development created by Africans for Africa, West African leaders, including Nigeria, incorrectly believed that the majority of the funding would come from outside sources and from other west African countries through the use of international diplomacy.

This is due to the relatively mixed reactions the NEPAD proposal received when it was unveiled at the G8 Summit in June 2002. So, the lack of greater openness in African governments that the New Partnership for Africa's Development document promoted can also be ascribed to the absence of foreign partners' support for the programmes, as these partners had threatened to at least partially withdraw their funding (New Africa Magazine, 2012). The fact that west African states lack the finances to carry out the framework and also lack effective external relations to do that was another factor in the New Partnership for Africa's Development's lacklustre reception from the international partners.

Furthermore, the responses were influenced by the leaders of west Africa's lack of confidence in their ability to realize the goals of the New Partnership for Africa's Development. Contrary to this assertion, it was asserted that the goals of the New Partnership for Africa's Development undermine the interests of international donors and partners in west Africa, who see addressing the continent's economic marginalization as unimportant because doing so will harm their own economies. Additionally, the international partners believe that their development frameworks and programmes are superior to those developed in Africa and are capable of altering the continent of Africa. It is to this the study centers on The Role Of New Partnership For African Development (NEPAD) On Nigeria’s Economic And Political Development  (2001-2020)

1.3 Objectives Of The Study

The general objective of this study is to examine the Role Of New Partnership For African Development (Nepad) On Nigeria’s Economic And Political Development  (2001-2020)

other specific objectives include:

1) To examine the Diplomatic Role of NEPAD in the Development of Nigeria

2) To determine the extent to which NEPAD has helped in reduction of unemployment in Nigeria

3) To focus on the role of NEPAD in the economic growth and development of Nigeria through diplomatic relations

4) To determine the extent to which New Partnership for African Development has influenced Nigeria’s Relations in Tackling Poverty

1.4 Research Questions

1) What is the Diplomatic Role of NEPAD in the Development of Nigeria?

2)To what extent has NEPAD helped in reduction of unemployment in Nigeria?

3) What is the impact of NEPAD in the economic growth and development of Nigeria through diplomatic relations?

4) To what extent has New Partnership for African Development influenced Nigeria’s Relations in Tackling Poverty?

1.5 Significance of the Study

This study is very significant because it sought to throw light essentially on  a Nigerian problem that has been begging for a Nigerian solution because charity they say must begin at home. If Nigeria  must achieve development then laudable goals and objectives the likes of NEPAD must be pursued and articulated by none other than Nigerians themselves. The idea therefore conceived by the founders of NEPAD becomes very essential if Nigeria is to move forward so all efforts at actualizing this is very significant in like manner whatever findings from this research may help in its own contribution towards achieving this development

The significance of this study is to contribute to existing literature on The Role Of New Partnership For African Development (Nepad) On Nigeria’s Economic And Political Development (2001-2020), the study will also make recommendations on how policy makers can use New Partnership For African Development to propel growth in Nigeria.

Moreover, economy policy makers in Nigeria would find the results helpful in designing and implementing policies that work for a better institutional quality for growth and development in the country.

The findings of the present study will help the general public to know the significance contribution of the NEPAD toward the growth and development of Nigeria  and west Africa.

The study derives its justification from the prevailing problems of underdevelopment in Nigeria. It is therefore not isolated to argue that NEPAD was not initiated in a vacuum but rather to solve the problems of underdevelopment characterized by poverty, squalor, disease, poor leadership and human right abuses in Nigeria, bring them to limelight and proffer ways of ameliorating them in the continent.

            The NEPAD initiative is quite timely given the Nigerian situation and its emphasis that ‘the hopes of African people for a better life lie in their own hands and not on the magnanimity of others is helping to increase AfricNigeria’s profile (Omoweh, 2003). NEPAD is rooted in good governance and democracy, which distinguishes it from previous regional development initiatives. An interesting issue however is that the feasibility of democracy in Nigeria depends not so much on the pronouncements of Nigerian Leaders, rather, it lies more on how democracy can be used to meet the social and economic needs of the people.

The study is therefore of both theoretical and political relevance for scholars, head of governments in Africa and other parts of the world, social scientists, students of African government and politics who are interested in the problems of development of Nigeria and Africa

1.6    Scope of the Study

The study focuses on Nigeria as the geographical and the role  of NEPAD towards the political and economic development. The study will look at the contribution  of NEPAD in politics and the development of the economy as well as issues militating against the role  of NEPAD towards the political and economic development. The timeframe of the study is 2001-2020,the time frame was used because it captured the year NEPAD was introduced through to the year the organization made a significant impact on the political and economic space of Nigeria.

Research Methods

This presents a description of the research design, the instrument of data collection, the methods for data analysis and limitation of the study.

1.6.1        Resign Design

In this study, the research adopts systematic qualitative content analysis as its method. Therefore, the documents such as newspapers, textbooks, journals, articles and other written records based on the Role Of New Partnership For African Development (Nepad) On Nigeria”S Economic And Political Development  (2001-2020)

1.7.2 Method of Data Collection

This study adopted secondary data sources. Secondary sources used in the documents such as newspapers, textbooks, journals, articles and other written records based on The Role Of New Partnership For African Development (Nepad) On Nigeria”S Economic And Political Development

1.7.3        Method of data Analysis

In this study, the researcher used analytical induction analysis of secondary data acquired in order to draw conclusions from it. The process of creating causal explanations for study phenomena is referred to as analytical induction analysis. It entails the practice of looking for commonalities that may indicate to common factors. The researcher also conducted a systematic reading of texts and other articles with the goal of obtaining explicit and implicit information on the content of the aforementioned publications (Hammsley, 2004).

1.8. Limitation of the Study

Some constrains which were encountered on the course of this study which limited the scope of the study are as follows;

a) Availability of research materials: The researcher's research materials are insufficient, restricting the scope of the investigation.

b) Financial constraints: the researcher's funds do not allow for broader coverage because she can only purchase restricted materials.

1.9 Operational Definition of Terms

For the purpose of clarity the following terminologies which will be recurring in this study will defined:

NEPAD: The New Partnership for Africa's Development is an economic development program of the African Union. NEPAD was adopted by the United States of America at the 37th session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government in July 2001 in Lusaka, Zambia

ECONOMIC DEVLOPMENT: economic development is the process by which the economic well-being and quality of life of a nation, region, local community, or an individual are improved according to targeted goals and objectives

POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT: the increased differentiation and specialization of political structures and the increased secularization of political culture

1.10. Organization of the Study

The study will be divided into five chapters. The first chapter will contain the introduction, back ground to the study, statement of the research problem, research questions, and objectives of the study, and significance of the study, scope of the study, definition of terms and organization of the study

The second chapter will deal with relevant studies found in the literature and that are related to the study which includes the conceptual discourse, review of studies and theoretical framework of the study.

The third chapter will highlight the NEPAD and it organizational structure. Fourth chapter will deal with the analysis On the topic and Finally, chapters five will contain the summary, conclusions and recommendations which are derived from this study.