Nigeria’s Role in Maritime Security in the Bight of Benin; Issues and Challenges 2015-2020
CHAPTER ONE
Objective of the study
The objective of the study is to ascertain the Nigeria’s role in maritime security in the Bight of Benin; Issues and challenges 2015-2020. The specific objectives are;
- To ascertain the challenges to effective collective maritime security cooperation efforts between the states bordering the Bight of Benin
- To ascertain the role Nigeria play in combating insecurity in the Bight of Benin
- To ascertain what should be done to enhance cooperation in maritime security in the Bight of Benin
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
MARITIME ENVIRONMENT
The immense importance of the sea to mankind is underscored by the fact that over 70 per cent of the earth’s surface is covered by water, over 90 per cent of the world trade by weight and volume travels by water and most of the world’s major cities and urban population lie within 200 kilometres of a coastline (King, 2005). Maritime environment refers to the areas at the sea bed, in the sea and in the air above the sea. International law provides for ‘freedom of the sea’. The implication is that any nation can use the sea for purposes of trade or defence without infringing on the sovereignty of another country subject to extant international laws. In this wise, the sea has been made very relevant to mankind and has been called ‘the great commons’. Current concept of ‘Freedom of the Seas’ is defined by Article 87(1) of the ‘United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea’ which states that ‘‘the high seas are open to all states, whether coastal or land-locked.’’ Article 87(1) (a) to (f) gives a non-exhaustive list of freedoms including navigation, overflight, the laying of submarine cables, building artificial islands, fishing and scientific research. Thus the use of the maritime environment and the adjudication of claims with subsequent arbitration are guided by UNCLOS III. In summary it:
- Defines maritime zones.
- Preserves the freedom of navigation.
- Allocates rights to maritime resources.
- Sets guidelines for conduct of maritime related business.
- Seeks to protect and preserve the maritime environment
The maritime environment comprises of the physical, political, legal, economic, social and ecological dimensions which form the interface with mankind. All these come to bear at one time or the other on nations that seek to utilise the seas, whether coastal or landlocked. Security in the maritime environment is therefore critical if mankind and nations are to continue the use of the sea. Sustainability of the maritime environment is another sine qua non. Thus the maritime environment must be made secure and sustained to ensure nations derive the dividends there from, to which ultimate end is national development.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research is the process of arriving at a dependable solution to problems through planned and systematic collection, analyzing and interpretation of data (Osuala, 1993).
Green and Full (1975) defines research methodology as the specification of procedures for collecting and analyzing the data necessary to solve the problem at hand such that the differences between the cost of obtaining various levels of accuracy and the expected value of the information associated with each level of accuracy is optimized.
Thus, in this chapter the method and techniques of data collection and analysis for this study are discussed in details, research design, population of study, sample and sampling technique, sources of data collection, research instrument, validity of the instrument, reliability of the instrument, procedure for administration of research instrument, as well as the limitation of the research methodology. This will be important in order to Nigeria’s role in maritime security in the Bight of Benin; Issues and challenges 2015-2020.
Research Design
The research design adopted in this research work is the survey research design which involves the usage of self-designed questionnaire in the collection of data. Under the survey research design, primary data of this study will be collected from NIMASA in order to determine Nigeria’s role in maritime security in the Bight of Benin; Issues and challenges. The design was chosen because it enables the researcher to collect data without manipulation of any variables of interest in the study. The design also provides opportunity for equal chance of participation in the study for respondents.
Population of Study
The population of study is the census of all items or a subject that possess the characteristics or that have the knowledge of the phenomenon that is being studied (Asiaka, 1991). It also means the aggregate people from which the sample is to be drawn.
Population is sometimes referred to as the universe. The population of this research study will be the Seventy-five (75) staff of NIMASA, Abuja.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION
This chapter is about the analysis and presentation of data collected from the field through questionnaire. The analysis of the data with particular question immediately followed by the presentation of findings.
As mentioned in chapter three, 50 questionnaires were administered and 50 were retrieved and necessary analysis was carried out on them.
Data Presentation
This is the presentation of the quantitative data collected from the respondents through the questionnaire drawn-tabulation and percent (%) age will be used to analyze the data accordingly as follows: Data Analysis
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was on Nigeria’s role in maritime security in the Bight of Benin; Issues and challenges 2015-2020. In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing the challenges of Nigeria’s role in maritime security in the Bight of Benin
Summary
This study was on Nigeria’s role in maritime security in the Bight of Benin; Issues and challenges 2015-2020. Three objectives were raised which included: To ascertain the challenges to effective collective maritime security cooperation efforts between the states bordering the Bight of Benin, to ascertain the role Nigeria play in combating insecurity in the Bight of Benin, to ascertain what should be done to enhance cooperation in maritime security in the Bight of Benin. In line with these objectives, three research questions and hypotheses were formulated and answered. The total population for the study is 75 staff of NIMASA in Abuja. The researcher used questionnaires as the instrument for the data collection. Descriptive Survey research design was adopted for this study.
Conclusion
Maritime security in the Bight of Benin is essential not only to the states that are geographically and politically associated with it but to global stability and economics. Notwithstanding the various definitions given to the Bight of Benin, a functional definition of its constituent states must capture not only the littoral but landlocked states that have vested interests in that maritime domain. An effective maritime security architecture for the Bight of Benin must of necessity involve the collaboration of the principal RECs. Whereas no single state in the region, including Nigeria, presently has the capability to pursue a comprehensive maritime security programme, a cooperative maritime security regime between the states therein must factor in their diversities, hence seek to optimise their broadest commonalities which currently are represented by the RECs. A modified MOWCA can facilitate the collaboration of the REC’s without the traditional fears of the states or the REC’s. However, these changes would need to be managed through diplomatic initiatives and processes that would involve compromises and trade-offs between states, sub-regions and the various existing organs of cooperation. It goes 96 without saying that the concerted support of international development partners and stakeholders in the Bight of Benin is critical to the attainment of success.
Recommendation
Creation of relevant maritime security architecture within the ECOWAS and subsequent harmonisation with that of ECCAS.
The modification of MOWCA statutes to accommodate navies in its maritime security structure
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