IMPLICATIONS OF GLOBALISATION AND REGIONAL INTEGRATION ON NATIONAL SOVEREGNTY: THE NIGERIAN EXPERIENCE

Abstract

The 21st Century has presented a myriad of challenges to the world including pandemic, terrorism, economic meltdown, poverty, unemployment and demands from citizens of various countries such as better living conditions and respect for human rights. These challenges have prompted a change in global governance trends. It has become evident that a state can no longer exist in isolation; there is a greater demand and advantage in entering into regional or international agreements in order to be able to survive in an increasingly interdependent world. However states are faced with a dilemma as to how far they have to shed their ability to control and dictate the internal affairs of their countries in favour of the international agreements that they have voluntarily entered into. Current global trends seem to have compelled developing countries like Nigeria to adopt all forms of political, economic, social and legal incentives and devices in the quest for survival. The inevitable sacrifice for the desired economic development appears to be a certain degree of erosion or surrender of the country’s sovereignty in favour of external forces. It is against the foregoing background that this work critically examines the implications of globalisation and regional integration on the nation’s sovereignty. The work found that globalisation and regional integration is a product of state sovereignty as states cannot have any obligation to any treaty or convention unless they have signed or ratified same. It was also found that while Nigeria is a member of many international and regional bodies and seems to embrace the idea of globalisation and regional integration, it does not have the requisite legal regime to effectively comply with the demands of those regional bodies. In response, the work recommends an improved legal regime through constitutional amendment or improved implementation mechanisms.