Department of Political Science and International Relations
Permanent URI for this communityhttp://itsupport.cu.edu.ng:4000/handle/123456789/28769
Welcome to the research page of the department of Political Science and International Relations.
News
https://pol.covenantuniversity.edu.ng/
Browse
62 results
Search Results
Item ASSESSMENT OF CROSS BORDER ARMS TRAFFICKING IN NIGERIA AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR REGIONAL SECURITY(Covenant University, Ota, 2026-06) OFFONG, Jeremiah Etuk; Covenant University, DissertationThe study assesses cross border arms trafficking in Nigeria and its implications for Regional Security. The illicit movement of arms across the borders is one serious challenge to Nigeria's national security, institutional integrity and sustainable developmental path. Even though Nigeria has an extensive regime of international, regional and national legal obligations on the issue of small arms and light weapons, such as the ECOWAS Convention on Small Arms and Light Weapons, the Arms Trade Treaty and the United Nations Programme of Action, hundreds of thousands of Nigerians have been killed and millions displaced by the insurgency, banditry, farmer-herder clashes and organised crime that continues to plague the country via its 4,047 km borders with Niger, Cameroon, Chad and Benin. To achieve the objective of this study, qualitative research design with descriptive trend analysis of secondary data were used in the study. Some secondary sources were analysed using systematic document analysis that was structured around SDG 16 indicators and organised into five categories: Arms seizure reports, Violence and conflict datasets, Border Security and governance assessments, Regional and international organisation reports, and peer-reviewed journal articles (2010 to 2025). The study findings showed that cross-border arms trafficking in Nigeria is a self-reinforcing structural governance problem, which requires concurrently integrated reforms in institutional integrity, border infrastructure, socio-economic development, regional security cooperation and technological modernisation. The study recommended that the government of Nigeria needs to make an urgent priority reform of institutional integrity in the border security agencies as a precondition for all other investments in counter-arms trafficking and concluded that Nigeria, ECOWAS and the international community need an integrated, simultaneous and structurally adequate response to the issue of arms trafficking on a global scale.Item DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION AND BUREAUCRATIC REFORM IN NIGERIA: IMPLICATIONS FOR PUBLIC SECTOR EFFICIENCY(4th International Conference, School of Vommunication and Information Technology,Federal University of Technology Ilaro, 2026) Abasilim, Ugochukwu D.; Peter, Mark J.; Udofia, Anieti N.Abstract Digital transformation has become a central strategy for bureaucratic reform in developing countries, particularly to enhance public-sector efficiency and advance sustainable development. In Nigeria, reforms in payroll management, public procurement, financial systems, digital identity infrastructure, and open government data are widely promoted as mechanisms for modernising the public bureaucracy. However, their capacity to deliver measurable efficiency gains and advance Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 8, 9, and 16) remains contested. This paper examines the implications of digital transformation for bureaucratic reform and public sector efficiency in Nigeria. Drawing on New Public Management, Institutional Theory, and Sociotechnical Systems Theory, the study adopts a qualitative design based on secondary data, including policy documents, government reports, and existing empirical studies across six reform domains. Findings show that while digital initiatives have improved procedural transparency and standardisation, efficiency gains remain uneven and are constrained by entrenched institutional weaknesses, fragmented governance structures, and limited subnational capacity. The paper argues that a predominantly technocratic reform approach, insufficiently aligned with political and institutional realities, undermines transformative outcomes. The study concludes that without strengthened accountability, institutional coherence, and subnational inclusion, digital transformation in Nigeria risks yielding symbolic rather than substantive improvements in public sector efficiency.Item Appraisement of glocalisation in the context of Nigeria’s foreign policy: A concentric approach(Cogent Arts & Humanities, 2024) Folorunso, Gideon I.; Duruji, Moses M.; Chidozie, Felix CThis paper examines the nexus between Nigeria’s foreign policy and glocalisation. Glocalisation is an emerging concept in foreign policy discourse, with the sole intent of forging a synergy between globalisation, global governance, and local relations, hinging on domestic peculiarities. As it were, foreign policy has largely projected the interest of the ruling class and other private interests rather than the greater good regardless of the gains for the ruling elites, as posited by Jeremy Bentham. The concentric model was the theoretical framework used by the study to explain the levels of relation from the core to the periphery, a globalised foreign policy to a glocalised foreign policy. Qualitative research methods were adopted for this study, using secondary sources of data collection, and textual analysis. While little or no attention has been paid to glocalisation efforts in foreign policy discourse in Africa, it has been on the table of discussion for the western world, notwithstand ing the current level of development occasioned by diplomatic relations worldwide. Progressively, within foreign policy discourses, the need to glocalise foreign policy cannot be overemphasised, as it marks the beginning of real polity as explained by Aristotle, as against simply focusing on the localisation of globalisation.Item 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 NdubuisiBackground: 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.Item 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 UgochiTills 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 effectivenessItem EVALUATION OF THE ELECTORAL PROCESS OF THE 2015 GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION IN LAGOS STATE, NIGERIA(Journal of Public Administration and Management, 2020) Kalu, Tony; Gberevbie, Daniel E.Democracy has gained universal acceptance and periodic eledion is one of basic feature of democracy. Since the advent of the Fourth Republic in 1999, several elections have been conducted at both national, state local government levels. However, the 2015 general elections served as turning points to the entire electoral process in Nigeria due to the higher acceptance of their outcomes and peaceful transition recorded. The paper evaluates electoral process of the 2015 gubernatorial election in Lagos State. The study adopted the historical method by using relevant journal articles, newspaper~ magazines and reports of eledoral bodies and agencies obtained from the internet. The study was anchored on the Procedural Theory of Democracy. The Content analysis method was used to gather from the data obtained, issues related to the eledoral process. The units of analysis include intra-party politics/candidates selection, campaign~ voting process and voters' behaviour, declaration of results and matters arising as well as performance of INEC Findings show that there was little intra-party democracy in the seledion of flag bearers among the two leading parties. Furthermore, the paper found that candidates engage in different kinds of political campaigns such as media tour~ rallies, and social media posts. The study recommends that political parties should condud proper primary elections and that INEC should improve its performances in future eledions by recruiting and training qualified personnel for proper electoral conduct in order to advance democracy for development in Nigeria.Item Appraisement of glocalisation in the context of Nigeria’s foreign policy: A concentric approach(Cogent Arts & Humanities, 2024) Folorunso, Gideon I.; Duru, Moses M.; Chidozie, Felix CThis paper examines the nexus between Nigeria’s foreign policy and glocalisation. Glocalisation is an emerging concept in foreign policy discourse, with the sole intent of forging a synergy between globalisation, global governance, and local relations, hinging on domestic peculiarities. As it were, foreign policy has largely projected the interest of the ruling class and other private interests rather than the greater good regardless of the gains for the ruling elites, as posited by Jeremy Bentham. The concentric model was the theoretical framework used by the study to explain the levels of relation from the core to the periphery, a globalised foreign policy to a glocalised foreign policy. Qualitative research methods were adopted for this study, using secondary sources of data collection, and textual analysis. While little or no attention has been paid to glocalisation efforts in foreign policy discourse in Africa, it has been on the table of discussion for the western world, notwithstand ing the current level of development occasioned by diplomatic relations worldwide. Progressively, within foreign policy discourses, the need to glocalise foreign policy cannot be overemphasised, as it marks the beginning of real polity as explained by Aristotle, as against simply focusing on the localisation of globalisationItem Innovation of ICT Solutions for Mitigating Security Challenges in Nigeria(UNIOSUN FSS INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE (PHYSICAL and VIRTUAL), 2024) Apeloko, O. D.; Atobatele, AbolajiItem ASSESSMENT OF THE INFLUENCE OF NATIONAL CYBERSECURITY POLICY AND CITIZENS’ RIGHTS IN NIGERIA (2015-2024)(Covenant University Ota, 2025-08) WONOSIKOU, Mohadapwa Hunnoungu; Covenant University DissertationNigeria officially ventured into protecting its cyberspace in 2001 and has enacted its National Cybersecurity Policy and Strategy alongside legislative instruments such as the Cybercrimes Act 2015 and the National Data Protection Regulation 2019, to safeguard more than 103 million Internet users. Nonetheless, ongoing debates highlight that these measures may encroach upon fundamental freedoms, underscoring the complex task of balancing national security with individual rights. This study examined the implications of Nigeria’s National Cybersecurity Policy and Strategy and accompanying legislation on the digital rights of its citizens. Grounded in Buzan and Wæver’s Theory of Securitisation, this exploratory research employed a mixed-methods of data collection. A purposive and snowball sample of fifteen stakeholders, including journalists, activists, lawyers, and cybersecurity experts, participated in semi-structured interviews, complemented by document reviews of key policy texts. Thematic analysis was used to organise and categorise emergent themes systematically. Findings revealed that although the national cybersecurity policy and related laws were intended to strengthen data security, their implementation has expanded state surveillance capacities while eroding substantive privacy protections. Cybersecurity provisions have been instrumentalised to legitimise content removals and platform shutdowns, producing a chilling effect on public discourse. Furthermore, rather than explicit legal prohibitions, citizens primarily confront significant implementation gaps and infrastructural barriers that impede equitable Internet access. By presenting a comprehensive empirical study of Nigeria’s cybersecurity framework in a developing-country context, this research provided a unique insight into the security-privacy nexus and the operationalization of securitising discourse. In response, this study proposed, among other recommendations, harmonising policy with international human-rights standards; establishing a robust, independent oversight mechanism; and mandate transparency; and launching sustained digital-rights awareness. This study concluded that aligning Nigeria’s cybersecurity objectives with rigorous rights protections is essential to safeguarding national security while upholding the digital freedoms of all citizens.Item Causes and Implications of Religious Conflicts in Nigeria’s Political System(International Journal of Finance and Management in Practice, Vol. 5, No. 1, 2017-06) Uwadi, M. E.; Ezebuilo Paul Chibuike; Nwaonu, K. CThe aim of this work is to identify the causes and implications of religious conflicts in Nigeria’s political system as well as proffer strategies to avoid future occurrence. This study adopts the survey research design. The population of the study comprises all Christians and Moslems living in Zaria, Kaduna State in Nigeria. Personal observations and questionnaire were the major means of data collection. Out of the 65 copies of questionnaire engaged in the study, only 56 copies were retrieved and used for the analysis. To achieve the aim of the study, two research hypotheses were formulated. While data collected for the study were presented on tables and responses taking the form of a five point likert scale, the hypotheses were tested using one way analysis of variance. Major findings of the study reveal that the causes of religious conflicts in Nigeria include failure to move with change, conflicting doctrines, methods of conversion, utterances of religious leaders, and clothing of political objectives with religion, among others. The implications of religious conflict as reveal by the study include creation of mistrust among federating units, low productivity, job insecurity, migration, over population. Based on the foregoing, it is proposed that the issue of religious conflicting doctrines should be addressed by religious bodies who should meet on regular bases. Also, government should respond quickly to curtail conflicts and should not ignore any act that might cause conflict