NIGERIA AND ECOWAS: A HISTORICAL ANALYSIS OF REGIONAL LEADERSHIP AND INTEGRATION

Abstract

This paper examines Nigeria’s role in the formation, evolution, and consolidation of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), with a particular focus on its leadership in promoting regional integration and stability. Established in 1975, ECOWAS has emerged as one of Africa’s most prominent regional organizations, largely influenced by Nigeria’s political, economic, and military contributions. Using a historical-analytical approach, the study traces Nigeria’s leadership trajectory from the post-independence era, through the Cold War, and into the contemporary period. It evaluates Nigeria’s contributions to economic integration, peacekeeping, and institutional development, while also interrogating the domestic and external constraints that have shaped its regional ambitions. The paper argues that, although Nigeria has been the backbone of ECOWAS, its leadership has been inconsistent due to internal political instability, economic challenges, and shifting foreign policy priorities. The study contributes to broader debates on regional hegemony, integration, and the role of middle powers in global governance.