NIGERIA POLITICAL LEADERSHIP STRATEGY IN WEST AFRICA (1960-2019)

This article focuses on the Nigeria political leadership strategy towards the creation of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), as well as on the activities during the time of Monrovia block. The goal is to examine the implied methodology in influencing the West Africa states. It was argued that Nigeria has hegemony over the ECOWAS and even beyond, due to its natural endowment (coal, crude oil, iron, ore, etc.). As shown in the article, the marginalization of the ethnic minority and the high rate of corruption contributed to the emergence of various conflicts in the region. The methodological basis of the study is a comparative political approach, synthesis and critical analysis. The special focus is done on the impact and evolvement of Nigeria political leaders in West African security regime. The analysis is situated within the context of regional and sub-regional political dynamics before and after 1960 up to 2019. The ECOWAS trade liberalization program involves three groups of products viz. unprocessed goods, traditional handicraft products, industrial products, which means to give several advantages to member states and their citizens.