Department of Political Science and International Relations

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Now showing 1 - 8 of 8
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    Youth Empowerment and Sustainable Development: An Assessment of the 'One Youth-Two Skills' Scheme in Anambra State, Nigeria
    (Janna Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies, Volume 7, 2025) Ezebuilo, Paul Chibuike; Chukwudi, Celestine Ekene; Obiora, Charles Arinze; Ofuonye, Joseph Ndubuisi
    Background: Youth empowern1ent and development can be achieved through adequate training and empowerment. Perhaps governments implement different programmes to empower their young generation with this in mind. Objective: This study investigates the effect of the 'One Youth-Two Skills' scheme on youth empowern1ent and sustainable development in Anambra State, Nigeria. Methodology: The study adopted a quantitative research design. A purposive random sampling technique was used to select the targeted respondents. Data was sourced through questionnaire copies and participant observation and presented and analysed using inferential statistics, such as frequency tables, mean, and chi-square, to test the hypotheses. Results: The study found that the 'One Youth-Two Skills' scheme has significantly influenced youth empowerment and sustainable development. An effective transfom1ationalleadership style with clearly set goals and good management has helped achieve this. However, insufficient funds, unequal distribution of materials and allocations, and poor monitoring and supervision, among other challenges, are affecting the 'One Youth-Two Skills' youth empowerment and sustainable development in Anambra State. Conclusion: To ensure a strong youth orientation towards economic empowennent and growth, a serious partnership is needed to ensure inclusive policies that invest in youth training. Unique Contribution: This study contributes to the existing literature on the best practices and modalities for ensuring effective youth empowerment and sustainable development in Anambra, Nigeria. Key Recommendations: To attain the aim of empowem1ent, an increase in funds/grants, equitable allocation of resources and materials, more partnerships, collaboration, proper monitoring, and mentorship are needed.
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    Unpacking the Political Economy of Member States' Withdrawal from ECOWAS: The Cases of Burkina Faso, Mali, and the Niger Republic
    (2025) Chukwudi, Celestine Ekene; Essien, Nick Pe ter; Ezebuilo, Paul Chibuike
    The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is a regional organisation that has worked since its inception to maintain member states' unification and improved relationships with other regional and Western nations to ensure political and socio-economic development. Despite all efforts, ECOWAS faces numerous challenges, such as an undemocratic government, insecurity, a lack of member cooperation, and, most recently, the exit of its trio-member nations. The study explores the political and socio-economic consequences of ECOWAS member nations like Mali, Burkina Faso, and the Niger's exit, and the effect on regional integration and cooperation. Rational Choice theory was adopted as a theoretical framework suitable for the underpinnings of this study. A qualitative research method, i.e., content analysis, was adopted to analyse the collated data. The study used secondary sources of data collection, e.g., textbooks, journals, conference proceedings, and internet sources, which were thematically discussed. The study finds that the trio-member nations that withdrew their membership are not parasitic and dependent on ECOWAS but have contributed to the continuous well-being of the organisation towards promoting and ensuring the regional integration, cooperation, growth, and development at large. The study concluded that the ECOWAS political and socio-economic system has been seriously affected, including the organisational image and recognition in Africa and globally. The study recommends that policymakers and international organisations such as ECOWAS, AU, EU, etc., should ensure inclusivity of all member nations, which would bring a sense of value and belonging that will keep them committed and loyal to their organizations, to avoid any member nation rising to disobey the principles of this organisation with the mindset of exit.
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    Soft Power Strategies and Reshaping of Global Affairs: A Comparative Analysis of China and Nigeria in the 21st Century
    (Nnamdi Azikiwe Journal of Poli1tical Science, 2025) Chukwudi, Celestine Ekene; Isaac, Grace Ugochi
    Tills study does a comparative analysis of the soft power strategies of China and Nigeria, highlighting their unique resources, approaches, and challenges in the 21"1 century. It explores how China leverages initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative, media influence, and cultural diplomacy to assert global influence, while Nigeria struggles to capitalize on its rich cultural heritage. Drawing on reports, literature, and 12 qualitative interviews as primary data, the paper analyses how economic, social, and political factors shape each country's soft power. A key finding reveals that China's centralized coordination enhances its soft power impact, whereas Nigeria's fragmented institutions hinder its effectiveness
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    Reassessing the Role of Culture in Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): The Nigerian Narrative
    (PERSPEKTIF, 2026) Chukwudi, Celestine Ekene; Isaac, Grace Ugochi
    Nigeria's extensive cultural diversity, spanning over 250 ethnic groups, and its expanding creative economy hold significant potential for advancing sustainable development However, the underutilization of cultural assets in national development strategies represents a persistent challenge. This study investigates how culture contributes to sustainability in Nigeria and evaluates the extent to which government policies, particularly the 1988 National Cultural Policy, align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Adopting a qualitative research design, the study analyses policy documents, government reports, and academic literature using thematic and content analyses, guided by the Cultural Heritage and Creativity Framework Findings reveal that culture has been deployed in sustainability efforts through arts, music, media campaigns, and creative industries to promote civic education, peace-building, and environmental awareness. Despite this progress, weak policy implementation, funding limitations, and exclusion of cultural stakeholders constrain impact The study concludes that systematic integration of cultural heritage and creativity into development planning, education, and SDG monitoring is crucial to strengthening Nigeria's sustainability agenda and providing a replicable model for other African states.
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    International Criminal Court (ICC) and Global Peace
    (African Journal of Law and Justice System Vol. 4,, 2025) Osimen, Goddy Uwa; Dele-Dada, Moyosoluwa; Nfam, Odeigah Theresa; Oladipo, Temidayo David; Ehibor, Oremire Judith; Chukwudi, Celestine Ekene
    The ICC is commonly seen as a judicial body with the authority to address matters related to international crime. Its purpose is to ensure that those responsible for international crimes are held accountable and to deter future violations. However, the persistence of atrocities similar to those the ICC targets causes significant disruption to global peace and undermines the international justice system. Therefore, this study aims to explore the ICC’s role in maintaining world peace and justice in the 21st century. It employs a qualitative approach and relies on secondary data. The findings reveal, among others, that while the ICC plays a significant role in maintaining peace and justice, the manner in which the relationship between peace and justice is perceived will significantly influence whether or not the Court has been able to maintain world peace and justice. If the notion of peace versus justice leans towards the Court’s ability to foster peace, it may be negligible. However, if the alternative peace via justice position is adopted, the ICC may be seen to have positively contributed to peace. The study, however, concludes that despite facing challenges in maintaining peace and justice in recent times, there are better days ahead for the ICC if only it can address these challenges through diverse approaches while also considering its mandate to uphold global peace and justice.
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    Ethical Leadership and Artificial Intelligence Governance: Comparative Perspectives and Implications for Africa’s Development
    (Journal of Law & Policy Review, 2025) Chukwudi, Celestine Ekene; Obadiah, Daniel Pastor; Okafor, Celestine Ogechukwu; Isaac, Grace Ugochi
    The rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) presents both transformative opportunities and significant ethical challenges for leadership and governance in Africa. This study examined ethical leadership and governance in the AI era, employing a comparative approach with a focus on Africa's development trajectory. Employing a documentary research design and secondary sources of data, thematic analysis was employed as the analytical technique. Thematic Analysis is among the most widely used qualitative data analysis techniques, providing a framework for data analysis based on the identification, analysis, and interpretation of patterns of meaning present in datasets. The analysis demonstrates that while AI has enormous potential to enhance public service delivery, governance effectiveness, and socioeconomic transformation, its use in African contexts is constrained by weak regulatory capability, fragmented governance frameworks, and insufficient ethical monitoring. A comparative analysis of global AI governance models reveals that institutional arrangements and leadership ideals are crucial in determining whether AI systems exacerbate inequality, bias, and democratic weaknesses or promote accountability, inclusivity, and public trust. The study recommended that African governments should invest in moral AI research and build regulatory sandboxes for controlled experimentation and policy development. Interdisciplinary advisory boards, including ethicists, technologists, and community representatives, should be institutionalised to guide AI governance.
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    EDUCATION AS A SOFT POWER STRATEGY FOR SUSTAINABLE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT: AN INSIGHT INTO CHINA-NIGERIA COLLABORATION
    (ALVAN JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES, 2026) Chukwudi, Celestine Ekene; Isaac, Grace Ugochi
    The low level of youth development in Nigeria has necessitated the Chinese intervention through educational partnerships that cover vocational training and collaboration on research and innovation. This study investigates Nigeria-China relations through the lens of education as a soft power strategy employed by China and its impact on Nigerian youth development. It aims to assess the influence of these educational partnerships, highlighting their benefits and challenges. The study is grounded in Soft Power Theory and Positive Youth Development Theory. Thematic and content analyses were applied to examine China‘s educational diplomacy in Nigeria. Findings reveal that these partnerships positively influence youth development by enhancing access to skills, knowledge, and cross-cultural engagement. A notable example is the agreement between Ignatius Ajuru University and Chengdu University, which opened pathways to Chinese education for Nigerian students. The study concludes that education remains a vital tool for evolving development goals. It recommends that the Nigerian government establish a regulatory body to oversee such partnerships and adopt clear policies to safeguard the interests of Nigerian youth, ensuring that collaborations yield sustainable benefits without exploitation.