(a) What five benefits does Nigeria derive from being a member of the ECOWAS? (b) Outline four problems facing the community

(a) Five benefits Nigeria derives from being a member of ECOWAS

(ECOWAS = Economic Community of West African States, formed in 1975.)

• Wider market for trade: the removal of trade barriers and tariffs among members gives Nigerian goods a large regional market, boosting exports and industry.
• Free movement of people: citizens can travel, live and work in member states without visas, aiding employment, labour supply and business.
• Economic cooperation and development: joint projects in transport, energy, telecommunications and agriculture speed up development that a single country could not achieve alone.
• Regional peace and security: the community (through bodies such as ECOMOG) helps to keep peace, settle conflicts and maintain stability in the sub-region, in which Nigeria plays a leading role.
• Bargaining strength and cooperation: acting as a bloc gives members greater bargaining power in world trade and attracts foreign investment; there is also exchange of skills, technology and culture.
• Common currency and payment arrangements ease trade and travel.

(b) Four problems facing the community

• Differences in official language and colonial background (English, French, Portuguese) hinder communication and cooperation.
• Similar (competing) economies: most members produce the same primary products and so compete rather than complement one another, limiting intra-regional trade.
• Poor transport and communication links between member states raise the cost of movement of goods and people.
• Political instability and insecurity (coups, wars, insurgency) and border disputes disrupt cooperation.
• Inadequate funding and unequal levels of development, smuggling, and different currencies also weaken the community.