Economic Integration of West Africa: A Study of Nigeria’s Contributions and the Foreign Policy Gains

Abstract

Nigeria’s role in the economic integration of West Africa, particularly through the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), has involved substantial commitments of financial, diplomatic, human, and material resources. Despite these contributions, the extent to which such investments have translated into tangible foreign policy gains for Nigeria remains contested. This study examines Nigeria’s contributions to the economic integration of West Africa and evaluates the foreign policy gains derived from its engagement in ECOWAS integration programmes. The study adopts a qualitative research design and draws data from ECOWAS reports, government publications, policy documents, institutional records, and relevant scholarly literature. Data were analysed thematically, while Regional Integration Theory provided the analytical framework for explaining Nigeria’s role and the dynamics of sub-regional cooperation. Findings reveal that Nigeria has played a pivotal role in sustaining ECOWAS and advancing major integration objectives, including the promotion of sub regional trade, the free movement of persons and goods, infrastructural development, peacekeeping support, and broader economic cooperation in West Africa. However, the study finds that these significant contributions have not yielded commensurate economic and strategic benefits for Nigeria. The limited gains are linked to a combination of internal and external constraints, including weak policy coordination, domestic economic challenges, uneven burden-sharing within ECOWAS, and the difficulty of translating regional leadership into concrete national advantages. The study concludes that while Nigeria has remained central to the progress of West African economic integration, its foreign policy gains have been relatively modest compared to its level of commitment. It therefore recommends a more strategic and interest-driven engagement with ECOWAS, anchored on clearer national priorities, improved policy implementation, and stronger mechanisms for converting regional leadership into measurable domestic benefits.