CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKROUND OF THE STUDY
Nigeria has actively participated in the creation of the ECOWAS on the 28″’ May, 1975. The motivation in this regard is due some imparatives which guide the conceptualization and contr y” s securit y conduct as well as foreign policy towards her neighbors in the same region. The defense, territorial intergrit y of Nigeria protection and internal and external aggression sovereignty are among in the imparatives. Furthermore, diplomac y, peaceful co-existence and good relationship maintained with states that are members of ECOWAS particularly those share boundaries with either by land, air, water and take stability as concerns in pursuant of economic integration in the West African sub-region (Basse y and N yonge20 12:27 I -290). These clearly are firmly associated and coterminous components, combined with the always developing populace of the nation, characterized the conduct and practical inv’estigation of N igeria’s part in the territorial incorporation measure in the sub-region.
Nigeria” s quest for the regional peace and security stabilit y is equally important. The N igeria’s Biafra Civil War had opened the counhy’s leader to the dubiousness and weakness of the country to its nearby Francophone nations, which are extraordinaril y impacted by France. For example, during the Nigeria’s civil war, Cote d’ lvoire, a Francophone country, perceived the territory of Biafra, while Benin Republic and Chad affected by France gave rnyster y backing to the secessionist Biafra state. Aside from Cote d’lvoire, it was obviously evident that French government had helped the Biafra secessionist powers through her previous Francophone nations. Thus, after the Nigeria’s civil war, the at that point General Y akubu Gowon organization were
properly mindful abnut the securit y dangers that the quick neighbors represented country’s presence cornpatibilit y to the France superseding impact over its states, started a stage that would join Nigeria and nations in the sub-area, and accordingly decreased France impact over its previous settlements. Arrangement of dealings, meetings were held which was in the long run finished in the formation of ECOWAS in 2075. (Asiwaju 1984:33-34).
