ECOWAS Integration Policy and the Dynamics of Trans-border Mobility in West Africa
Background: This study critically evaluates the Economic Community of West African States' (ECOWAS) integration policy and its impact on trans-border mobility. The policy assumes that individuals migrate from stagnant to rapidly growing areas, from low-income to high-income regions, and from u...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Department of Mass Communication, University of Nigeria
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Ianna Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies |
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| Online Access: | https://iannajournalofinterdisciplinarystudies.com/index.php/1/article/view/636 |
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| author | Goddy Osimen Edwin Ochoga Ochoga Oremire Ehibor |
| author_facet | Goddy Osimen Edwin Ochoga Ochoga Oremire Ehibor |
| author_sort | Goddy Osimen |
| collection | DOAJ |
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Background: This study critically evaluates the Economic Community of West African States' (ECOWAS) integration policy and its impact on trans-border mobility. The policy assumes that individuals migrate from stagnant to rapidly growing areas, from low-income to high-income regions, and from uncertain to secure employment opportunities.
Objective: This research aims to investigate the implications of ECOWAS's neo-liberal-oriented policy, which is shaped by the dynamic forces of globalisation and encourages cross-border mobility among member state citizens.
Methods: The paper used a qualitative research method, and the data were sourced from secondary sources. The gathered data were thematically analysed and presented in prose format.
Results: The study finds that the assumption underlying ECOWAS's integration policy overlooks the complex social, political, and economic effects of trans-border mobility, which challenge traditional notions of comparative advantage and trade theories that underpin ECOWAS's integrative approach.
Conclusion: ECOWAS's integration policy and trans-border mobility have moved from stagnant to rapidly increasing places, from low-income to high-income areas, and from sporadic employment prospects to areas where employment is more certain or guaranteed by contract.
Key Contribution to Knowledge: This study provides new insights into the implications of ECOWAS's integration policy on trans-border mobility and its effects on West African communities, highlighting the need to reconsider traditional notions of comparative advantage and trade theories in the context of regional integration.
Recommendations: The study recommends that policymakers and stakeholders consider the complex social, political, and economic effects of trans-border mobility when designing and implementing regional integration policies, and that further research be conducted to explore the implications of ECOWAS's integration policy on West African communities.
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| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-d250213c30c845b28669de3d06be11c8 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2735-9883 2735-9891 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Department of Mass Communication, University of Nigeria |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Ianna Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies |
| spelling | doaj-art-d250213c30c845b28669de3d06be11c82025-08-20T02:03:27ZengDepartment of Mass Communication, University of NigeriaIanna Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies2735-98832735-98912025-06-0172ECOWAS Integration Policy and the Dynamics of Trans-border Mobility in West AfricaGoddy Osimen0https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8294-6163Edwin Ochoga Ochoga 1https://orcid.org/0009-0003-8337-1703Oremire Ehibor2https://orcid.org/0009-0002-8151-1402Covenant UniversityDepartment of Political Science, Federal University Lokoja, NigeriaDepartment of Languages and General Studies, Covenant University, Nigeria Background: This study critically evaluates the Economic Community of West African States' (ECOWAS) integration policy and its impact on trans-border mobility. The policy assumes that individuals migrate from stagnant to rapidly growing areas, from low-income to high-income regions, and from uncertain to secure employment opportunities. Objective: This research aims to investigate the implications of ECOWAS's neo-liberal-oriented policy, which is shaped by the dynamic forces of globalisation and encourages cross-border mobility among member state citizens. Methods: The paper used a qualitative research method, and the data were sourced from secondary sources. The gathered data were thematically analysed and presented in prose format. Results: The study finds that the assumption underlying ECOWAS's integration policy overlooks the complex social, political, and economic effects of trans-border mobility, which challenge traditional notions of comparative advantage and trade theories that underpin ECOWAS's integrative approach. Conclusion: ECOWAS's integration policy and trans-border mobility have moved from stagnant to rapidly increasing places, from low-income to high-income areas, and from sporadic employment prospects to areas where employment is more certain or guaranteed by contract. Key Contribution to Knowledge: This study provides new insights into the implications of ECOWAS's integration policy on trans-border mobility and its effects on West African communities, highlighting the need to reconsider traditional notions of comparative advantage and trade theories in the context of regional integration. Recommendations: The study recommends that policymakers and stakeholders consider the complex social, political, and economic effects of trans-border mobility when designing and implementing regional integration policies, and that further research be conducted to explore the implications of ECOWAS's integration policy on West African communities. https://iannajournalofinterdisciplinarystudies.com/index.php/1/article/view/636ECOWASTrans-BorderEconomic IntegrationMobilityWest Africa |
| spellingShingle | Goddy Osimen Edwin Ochoga Ochoga Oremire Ehibor ECOWAS Integration Policy and the Dynamics of Trans-border Mobility in West Africa Ianna Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies ECOWAS Trans-Border Economic Integration Mobility West Africa |
| title | ECOWAS Integration Policy and the Dynamics of Trans-border Mobility in West Africa |
| title_full | ECOWAS Integration Policy and the Dynamics of Trans-border Mobility in West Africa |
| title_fullStr | ECOWAS Integration Policy and the Dynamics of Trans-border Mobility in West Africa |
| title_full_unstemmed | ECOWAS Integration Policy and the Dynamics of Trans-border Mobility in West Africa |
| title_short | ECOWAS Integration Policy and the Dynamics of Trans-border Mobility in West Africa |
| title_sort | ecowas integration policy and the dynamics of trans border mobility in west africa |
| topic | ECOWAS Trans-Border Economic Integration Mobility West Africa |
| url | https://iannajournalofinterdisciplinarystudies.com/index.php/1/article/view/636 |
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