Globalization Impact on West African Maritime Trade

Executive Summary

The West African maritime trade is one of the most robust in the African trade. In this research paper, the primary goal was to assess the socio-economic impact of globalization on West African maritime trade, with a special focus on Lagos port. The researcher chose Lagos port because it is one of the largest in the region and it serves Africa’s largest and economy. Lagos port is also unique to West Africa maritime trade because it serves other regional countries such as Mali, Niger, and Chad. It facilitates the exportation of oil, one of the most important commodities in the region. The study revealed that Nigeria’s oil trade has had a major impact on its oil trade. The massive growth of the petroleum sector has boosted the growth of maritime trade. Earnings made from oil exports are often used to import products such as vehicles, machinery, electronics, and weapons among others, which have to pass through the Lagos port. However, the study reveals that overemphasis on the production and sale of oil has impeded the growth of other sectors, leading to a mono-cultural economy. Oil export accounts for over 90% of the country’s foreign exchange earnings, and over 40% of the country’s GDP. The international community, especially the member states in the Gulf of Guinea, have been keen on promoting regional trade to enhance diversification. However, despite technological advancements in the field of transport and communication, Nigeria is still largely a mono-cultural economy whose maritime trade largely depends on oil export.

Introduction

Background of the Study

Traditional West African communities was involved in barter trade long before the arrival of the European explorers. The Ashanti people, the Nri Kingdom, Shongai Empire, Hausa Kingdom, and the Mali Empire were actively involved in trade amongst themselves and with other empires in North and East Africa. The Trans-Saharan trade is believed to have started in the 8^th century and it lasted until the 17^th century when European infiltration in the region started taking a stronger influence (Ma, 2021). These ancient communities had learned the art of trade as a means of exchanging what they produced in excess for what they could not produce. Salt, gold, and slaves were some of the main products that were traded during this period. The Trans-Saharan trade’s decline was facilitated by the emergence of maritime trade in West, North, and East Africa.

The maritime trade in West Africa was facilitated by European explorers and traders. The first European contacts in West Africa are believed to be the Portuguese, who arrived in Senegal in 1442 (Akinyele, Dietz and Ellis, 2019). They then traveled to Morocco before moving south to other West African nations and Central Africa. The Spanish and British Empires soon followed. Trade was the main focus of these colonial powers in the region. Slaves, minerals, and various other raw materials were the main products obtained from the region. The demand for slaves was growing in North and South America where they were needed to work in the agricultural and industrial sectors. The Trans-Atlantic trade gained rapid growth, leading to the collapse of the Trans-Saharan trade.

When West Africa gained independence from the colonial powers, individual states were expected to strengthen their maritime trade through various strategies. Products of trade had changed, especially when the slave trade was abolished globally. However, most of these West African nations were rich in minerals and many other raw materials needed by the west and Asian countries. Nigeria is one of the largest oil producers and exporters in the world while Ghana is a major exporter of cocoa, gold, diamonds, and timber. Ivory Coast exports coffee, cotton, and fruits, while Morocco exports textiles and minerals (Iimi and Rao, 2018). In turn, these countries import vehicles, machinery, weapons, electronics, and many other processed products from North America, Europe, and parts of Asia.

The current trade arrangement that West African nations have with the rest of the world relies on sea transport. Most of the products discussed above, both that leave Africa to the rest of the world and those that come to Africa from the rest of the world, rely on sea transport. Maritime trade has become of great significance in the modern global community. It has become the primary means through which nations can ensure that products they have in excess reach the international market and those that they need are made accessible. LeVan and Ukata (2018) argue that individual nations currently have the primary responsibility of expanding the capacity of their ports to meet the increasing demands. Some of the largest ports in West Africa include Abidjan on Ivory Coast, Tangier in Morocco, and Lagos in Nigeria.

Globalization has had a major socio-economic impact on West African trade. Babalola and Onapajo (2018) explain that technological advancements in the field of communication and transport have transformed maritime trade in the world. The mistrust that many African communities had towards Europeans and other foreigners in the land has been reduced significantly. There is a growing understanding that the economic success of an individual country depends on that of the global community. In 2008 when the western countries were affected by the recession, the effect was felt globally, including in almost all African nations, because of globalization. Currently, the global economy is hurting because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Maritime trade has significantly reduced over the last year as the disease continues to cause socio-economic havoc around the world. These trends demonstrate the interconnectedness of the global community. In such an interconnected world, it is the responsibility of individual nations to ensure that they benefit from the maritime trade. The focus of this paper is to investigate the socio-economic impact of globalization on West African trade, specifically focusing on Lagos port in Nigeria.

Statement of the Problem

The maritime trade is expected to benefit a country by facilitating maximum exportation of its products to the global market. Nanz (2019) explains that achieving a balance of trade is critical for the sustainable growth of a country’s economy. It is better for a country’s exports to be slightly more than its imports to ensure that it has a net income that can facilitate developmental projects. The problem is that in most West African nations, and specifically in Nigeria, imports often exceed exports. The country mostly exports raw materials, which are relatively cheap, and imports finished products such as machinery, which are expensive. The lack of balance of trade where the country spends more on importation than it gets from exports is one of the main reasons why the region is burdened with debt (Itua and Omokri, 2018). They are spending more than they are producing.

The mono-cultural economy is another problem in the region, and Nigeria is one of the affected countries. Developed nations such as the United States and Germany have been successful in diversifying their economies (Olukoju et al., 2018). In the United States, automotive, healthcare, electronics, weaponry, food and beverages, real estate and construction, tourism, oil, and mining are some of the largest sectors contributing to economic growth. On the other hand, Nigeria’s primary export remains oil. This mono-cultural economy in the maritime trade is a major challenge to the sustainable growth of the country’s economy. Nigeria imports vehicles, medicine, electronics, weapons, and construction materials among others from Europe, North America, and Asia. However, its main export to these countries is oil and a few other raw materials.

The growth of maritime trade is also not proportionate to the country’s economic growth. Nigeria is currently the largest economy in Africa. It also has the largest population in the region (Usman, 2019). However, when African ports are ranked in terms of their capacity, Lagos port is ranked sixth, behind Kenya’s Mombasa port, which has a smaller economy and smaller population (Zou, Wu, and Ye, 2020). Economists believe that the size of a country’s port directly impacts its economy (Wang et al., 2020). When a country’s port is busy enough to serve the region, especially neighboring landlocked countries, it will play a major role in facilitating the economic growth of the host nation. Kenya’s Mombasa port serves Uganda, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Rwanda, and Burundi, which are landlocked. It also serves parts of Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo which is not landlocked countries (Humphreys et al., 2019). It demonstrates the robustness and efficiency of the East African port. The same cannot be said of Lagos port despite serving the largest economy and most populous nation in Africa.

Importance of the Research

Maritime trade remains critical in the economic development of West African nations. As these countries struggle to strengthen their economy and reduce their reliance on donations and loans from other developed economies, they have to take full advantage of the potential of maritime trade. Focusing specifically on Lagos port in Nigeria, studies reveal that the port has benefitted the international community more than it does Nigerians (Afolayan, 2021). The port to Africa’s largest economy processes more imports than exports. The mono-cultural economy of Nigeria means that oil is the primary product that it can export to the international market. However, it imports numerous finished products, which are more expensive. The outcome of that the imbalance of trade disfavors the country. It explains why fluctuations in the international oil price often affect the economy of Nigeria. A drop in price, as was witnessed during the COVID-19 period, means that the country cannot meet some of its financial obligations as was budgeted for within a given financial year. It means that the country has to rely on local and international loans to meet these obligations.

This research will assess the socio-economic impact of globalization in West African maritime trade with a special focus on Lagos port in Nigeria. It will assess factors that have impeded the growth of the sector in the region and the selected country. It will outline specific social, economic, and political forces that have affected the growth of maritime trade. It will then narrow down to the socio-economic effects of globalization on maritime trade within the region. The study will offer recommendations on how Nigeria can move from the mono-cultural trade to a more diversified economy. The country should reduce its reliance on the exportation of oil and minerals by strengthening other sectors of the economy. Ibrahim (2019) explains that just like the country was able to strengthen its film industry, so can it strengthen other sectors of the economy. It is the best way of ensuring that the country’s economy remains sustainable.

The information obtained from the findings of the study will be beneficial to different stakeholders. Policymakers in the country will understand specific challenges that are affecting the maritime trade in the country and how they can be addressed. They can make informed decisions based on the findings that will be provided in this report. Individual traders in the country will understand how they can take advantage of maritime trade to ensure that their products can reach regional and international markets instead of just focusing on the domestic market. Officials at the port will understand how and why they should implement specific policies meant to facilitate maritime trade in the country.

Reason Why Lagos Was Chosen

The Port of Lagos was chosen as the primary focus of this study because of several reasons. One of the reasons is that Nigeria is the largest economy in Africa. As such, it was expected to have the most robust seaport to facilitate importation and exportation activities. However, studies have indicated that the port of Lagos is the sixth-largest in Africa, behind Kenya’s Mombasa port, despite the East African country having a much smaller economy. It was necessary to find a proper explanation for why the Port of Lagos has failed to achieve growth that is commensurate with the country’s economy. The second factor is that Nigeria has the largest population in Africa. The large population is expected to facilitate an increase in maritime trade. The people need to import various products from foreign countries while at the same time exporting what they produce in excess. Once again, the port was expected to be at the top of the list in the continent. However, studies have revealed that it is lagging. It was necessary to explain why that is the case.

The mono-cultural nature of Nigeria’s economy was another cause of concern. According to Onolememen (2020), the Nigerian government has been investing in education to ensure that those who graduate from institutions of higher learning have the necessary skills needed in the job market. There has also been an effort by the government and the private sector players to diversify the country’s economy. However, such efforts have failed to bear fruits as the country’s economy still heavily relies the on the oil sector. Through the Port of Lagos, the country imports electronics, vehicles, machinery, clothes, and furniture among a range of other products. On the other hand, the only major product that the country exports through the same port are oil. The imbalance of trade and the mono-cultural economy of the country are some of the factors that have stagnated the rapid growth of the country’s economy (United Nations, 2018). Analyzing the port may help explain why it has failed to achieve the robustness that is expected of it. The analysis will identify unique challenges that the port could be facing, which have stunted its growth.

Research Questions and Objectives

When conducting research, it is necessary to develop research questions that would guide the process of data collection and analysis. Akinola (2018) believes that research questions make it possible to identify specific data that should be collected from various sources. It also allows the researcher to remain focused on the primary aim of the study. The following are the research questions that will guide the process of data collection:

1. What is the socio-economic impact of globalization on West African maritime trade?
2. What has impeded the diversification of Nigeria’s exports to the international market?
3. What are the main challenges to the growth of Nigeria’s maritime trade?
4. How can different stakeholders address the challenges to the growth of Nigeria’s maritime trade?
5. How does West African maritime trade (Lagos port) compare with that in East Africa (Mombasa port)?

It is also necessary to define the objectives of the study at this stage of the report. The objectives of the study define what a researcher has to achieve to consider the process a success. The outcome of the study is often assessed based on how effectively it has addressed specific objectives. The following are the objectives of the study based on the research questions above:

1. To assess the socio-economic impact of globalization on West African maritime trade;
2. To identify factors that have impeded the diversification of Nigeria’s exports to the international market;
3. To identify the main challenges to the growth of Nigeria’s maritime trade;
4. To determine how different stakeholders can address the challenges to the growth of Nigeria’s maritime trade;
5. To compare West African maritime trade (Lagos port) with that in East Africa (Mombasa port)?

Limitations and Delimitations

It is normal for a researcher to encounter challenges when conducting a research project and this was no exemption. The biggest challenge that was encountered in the project was the movement and interaction restrictions put in place by the government because of the need to manage COVID-19. It was not possible to visit the school library as was previously the case because of the fear of contracting or spreading the virus. It was also not easy to physically interact with specific individuals and engage them in interviews as the researcher had initially planned. However, the researcher was able to overcome these challenges with the help of online platforms. Secondary sources, especially books and peer-reviewed journals, were obtained from online databases. Participants were also engaged through social media and the questionnaire sent was to them electronically. A detailed discussion of limitations and delimitations is provided in chapter three of this document.

Dissertation Structure

The dissertation has five chapters. The introduction chapter provides a background of the study, a statement of the problem, and the importance of the research. Also discussed in the chapter are research questions, objectives, limitations, and delimitations of the study. Chapter 2 provides a detailed review of the literature, explaining the historical development of maritime trade in West Africa and comparing it with that of East Africa. Chapter 3 focuses on the explanation of the method and strategies used to collect, process, and interpret data obtained from primary sources. Chapter 4 presents findings made from the investigation that was conducted in the study. The last chapter of this report provides a conclusion and recommendation on how different stakeholders can facilitate the sustainable development of Nigeria’s maritime trade.

Literature Review

The previous chapter has provided background information for the study. In this chapter, the focus is to review findings that other scholars have made in this field. As Essen (2020) states, it is always important to review existing literature to avoid duplicating knowledge that is already existing. The review helps to identify gaps in the current body of knowledge. It also helps the researcher to develop background knowledge on the issue under investigation. In this chapter, the focus will be to analyze the historical development of maritime trade in West Africa. It also discusses the socio-economic impact of globalization on Nigeria’s maritime trade and the effect of oil trade on the country’s economy. The chapter also reviews factors that have led to the mono-cultural economy in Nigeria and the role of the international community in enhancing maritime trade within the region. Information obtained from this chapter and that from chapter 4 of this paper informed the conclusion and recommendations made in this paper.

Historical Development of Maritime Trade in West Africa

The West African maritime trade has a rich history that dates back to pre-colonial periods. Before the arrival of the Europeans in the west coast of Africa, there were golden empires in the region that traded with one another. The Empire of Ghana was founded in CE 300, with its capital in Koumbi Saleh (present-day Mauritania), and covered Ghana, Mali, and parts of Senegal (Korieh and Ihuoma, 2020). It was one of the most powerful empires and it controlled Trans-Saharan trade, with the main product being gold. The Mali Empire, which was founded in the 13^th century, stretched from the present-day Senegal to Niger (Wariboko, 2019). It was considered one of the wealthiest kingdoms. Other notable empires that existed in the pre-colonial period within the region include the Songhai Empire, Kingdom of Kongo, and Karnem-Borno Empire.

Historical records show that the Portuguese were the first Europeans to arrive in West Africa for trade. It is recorded that Prince Henry of Portugal sponsored Portuguese sailors to travel to the West African coast because of the rich gold reserves. They arrived in 1441 and by 1481, a trading outpost had been constructed in Guinea’s coast (Ngang and Djoyou, 2020). It became one of the earliest ports in West Africa meant to facilitate maritime trade. Slaves were introduced as an important commodity alongside gold and other minerals. In exchange, these African kingdoms received cloths, salt, guns, and other processed products. The arrival of British and French empires in West Africa in the 16^th century facilitated the rapid growth of maritime trade. The French controlled the port of Dakar, Britain had Freetown and Lagos ports, while Portugal retained Bissau port.

When the West African countries gained independence, these ports were under the control of individual nations. The Lagos port became the primary gateway to the international market for Nigeria. At that time in 1960, oil had not become a major export product for the country. The country mostly exported agricultural produce, minerals, and other raw materials to the international markets. In return, they received vehicles, machines, and other processed products from Europe and North America. As the global demand for oil increased, Nigeria entrenched itself as a major exporter of the product. By the 1990s, the country was still importing the same processed products from the international markets and exporting crude oil and other raw materials. The same trade has remained the same in the present-day economy of Nigeria.

Socio-Economic Impact of Globalization on Nigeria’s Maritime Trade

Globalization has had a major impact on Nigeria’s maritime trade. Advancements in the fields of transport and communication have redefined the way countries are conducting trade in the international arena. The emergence of sophisticated transport vessels and complex communication platforms has made it easy for large corporations to deliver their products to the global market with ease. Nigeria’s maritime trade has improved significantly because of these emerging technologies. It has been able to strengthen its ties with various countries around the world, which in turn has significantly increased the number of its trading partners.

Social Interactions with Global Society and its Impact on Maritime Trade

Social interactions that the country has with the international community have opened up its maritime trade. The government has been keen on strengthening its socio-political relations with regional and international countries. It has eliminated many unnecessary travel restrictions in the country in an effort to increase the number of leisure and business travelers coming to Nigeria (Elleh, 2020). The goal is to attract as many foreign investors as possible into the country. Nigerians have also been keen on emigrating from the country to other parts of the world in search of better employment opportunities. Currently, Nigeria has the highest number of people moving to Europe, North America, and parts of Asia in search of employment opportunities and business engagements. Some of them have played a major role in persuading major global investors to invest in different sectors of the economy. It is necessary to note that the 419 scams, which have been made possible by globalization, have had a negative impact on maritime trade. Some foreign investors feel that they can become targets of fraudsters when they invest in the country.

Economic Interaction with Global Society and its Impact on Maritime Trade

Nigeria has had various economic engagements with the international community, which has directly affected its maritime trade. Within the West African region, the country is a member of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) (Afolayan, 2018). The organization has its headquarters in Lagos and seeks to promote regional trade by eliminating or reducing tariffs and other bottlenecks to regional trade. Nigeria has been able to export products such as cement to regional countries as a way of diversifying the economy. The country has also signed individual trade agreements with other African nations such as Kenya, South Africa, and Egypt to facilitate bilateral trade. Nigeria is a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO). It is also a member of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) (Gillard and Okonjo-Iweala, 2020). Through these organizations, the country has been keen on promoting its exports while at the same time allowing the country to import from the global community products that are not readily available in Nigeria.

Socio-Economic Impact of Nigeria’s Oil Trade on the Country’s Economy

Oil remains the single most important product of Nigeria’s economy. The domestic socio-economic policy in the country has been favorable to the exploration, extraction, and sale of this product to the international market. The government considers it the easiest way of getting resources needed to support government operations. Wang et al. (2020) believe that Nigeria’s oil trade has had both positive and negative impacts on the country’s economy. It is necessary to look at how it has affected the country’s economy.

The Impact of Oil Trade on Nigeria’s Maritime Trade

At the time Nigeria was gaining its independence in the early 1960s, oil had not become an important commodity of export. However, as the demand for the product increased and the country continued to discover large oil reserves, it was given precedence over other sectors. Eke (2020) observes that the oil trade contributes over 90% of Nigeria’s foreign exchange. It has helped in stabilizing the Nigerian currency while at the same time providing the needed revenue to support economic growth in the country. The growth of this sector has also led to the development of other sectors in the country such as transport, security, and communication among others. The sector is currently the highest contributor to the country’s GDP, at over 40%. It has become the most important product that the country exports to the international market.

It is necessary to note that despite the numerous benefits that the oil trade has had on promoting maritime trade in the country, it has some negative effects worth noting at this stage of the report. One of them is that it has overshadowed other important sectors of the economy. The manufacturing sector has remained in the infancy stage because most major investors prefer the oil industry. The government has also failed to spur industrial growth because it is comfortable with earnings from the oil trade. Contributions of the agricultural sector to the country’s GDP are also experiencing negative growth because many large corporations are shifting their focus to the oil industry which is believed to have better returns.

The Impact of Maritime Trade on Nigeria’s Economy

Maritime trade has a major impact on Nigeria’s economy. As explained above, over 40% of this country’s GDP is a result of the oil trade. Maritime trade directly depends on maritime trade. Maritime trade also supports other exports to regional and international markets. Some of these exports include cocoa beans, aluminum alloys, fruits and vegetables, chemicals, and leather. The country also relies on maritime trade to ensure that it can import various products to the market. Various small-scale and large-scale traders are involved in the importation and sale of vehicles, machines, and electronics in the local market. These products have to be delivered to the country through the Lagos port (Afolayan, 2021). As such, maritime trade continues to play a critical role in the growth of the country’s economy.

Factors That Have Led to the Mono-Cultural Economy in Nigeria

It is necessary to assess the impact of Nigeria’s domestic socio-economic and political forces on maritime trade. At this stage of the report, it is necessary to define the concept of mono-cultural trade. Itumo (2016, p. 21) defines a mono-cultural economy as “one that mainly dependents on a single product or resource for economic growth and development.” It is a case where the said country lack any other major product, besides the one stated, that can facilitate economic growth. Itumo (2016, p. 21) further explains that it is “a case where any country depends on a single product sales or exports for its budget funding, especially to the tune of 70% of revenue.” Nigeria is a perfect example of a mono-cultural economy. According to Itumo (2016), 90% of Nigerian exports are oil and related products. As shown in Table 2.1 below, oil constituted 99.6% of Nigeria’s total exports. It means that the other export products constituted only 0.4%. It means that oil is the only meaningful export from the country. The comparative analysis in table 2.1 below shows that Nigeria is the most oil-dependent country in the world.

Table 2.1: Five Most Oil-Dependent Countries in the World in 2000

A historical analysis of the country’s economy since independence shows that there has been a consistent growth in the country’s crude oil production while other sectors of the economy have experienced a decline in growth. In 1960, agriculture was the largest sector of the economy, accounting for over 64% of the country’s GDP. The oil sector was one of the smallest in that economy, accounting for only 0.3%. The manufacturing sector was also in its infancy stage, accounting for 4.8% of the country’s economy. 40 years later in 2000, the contribution of the country’s agricultural sector has dropped significantly to 35% while crude oil has become the major contributor to the country’s GDP at 47%. The manufacturing sector has remained at the infancy stage. This important sector was stronger at the time the country was gaining independence than in 2000 when it accounted for only 3.4% of the country’s GDP (Ayadi and Boyd, 2006, p. 228). The manufacturing sector in the country is in such a bad state that Nigeria exports crude oil and imports processed petroleum products (kerosene, diesel, petrol, jet fuel among others). It demonstrates the incapacity of the country to support the industrial sector despite the existence of huge opportunities.

Table 2: Sectoral Contribution to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product from 1960 to 2002

The Nigerian government has made massive investments in the fields of education, infrastructure development, and manufacturing to help uplift other sectors of the economy. However, the country still relies heavily on oil export as its only major foreign exchange earner. The maritime trade in the country is hugely imbalanced in the disfavor of the country. It is necessary to look at factors that have led to the continued mono-cultural nature of the economy in the country despite these efforts to enhance diversification.

Political Factors

The political environment has played a major role in the stagnation of other sectors of the economy in the country. According to Afolayan (2021), most of the political leaders in the country are directly or indirectly (through family members of cronies) involved in the oil trade. As such, most of the major policies formulated are in favor of the sector at the expense of others. Different administrations have enacted policies meant to revive manufacturing and agricultural sectors as a means of diversifying the country’s exports. However, these initiatives are rarely implemented because of lack of political goodwill. They have not been adequately funded to facilitate their growth because those who are in power cannot directly benefit.

Political instability has been blamed for the collapse of some sectors of the economy in parts of the country. Nigeria has had one of the highest cases of military coups in Africa since it gained independence. From 1966 to 1999, the country has been governed by the army, with a short-lived return to democracy from 1979 to 1983 (Wang et al., 2020). In such an environment that lacks political stability, investors often fear that they can easily lose their money when a new hostile regime takes power. Although there has been no military coup since 1999, the effect of nearly 40 years of military rule has had a devastating impact on the country’s economy. Most of these military rulers turned to oil as a cash cow because it required minimal effort but had high rewards. The manufacturing sector has largely been ignored by the political class.

Activities of extremist groups in the country are still a major concern. Boko Haram is still a major threat to the country’s security, especially in the northeastern region. They organize sporadic attacks and often target companies and learning institutions. As such, most investors (both local and international) often avoid the region. Such activities limit the capacity of the country to engage in manufacturing and agriculture in these places. Oil drilling is the only viable economic activity in the region because those who are involved in the business can pay for the security needed to facilitate their business. Wang et al. (2020) observe that some locals have deliberately avoided addressing the instability in these regions with rich oil reserves because they want to control the business with limited government supervision.

Economic Factors

The mono-cultural nature of Nigeria’s economy can also be attributed to some economic factors. One of the major concerns that have stalled the growth of other sectors of the economy is graft. Although the government has tried to fight corruption, it is still a common practice, especially among those who are in positions of power. Local and foreign investors have complained that for various government agencies to approve their business, they have to pay a bribe. Regular supervision by these government officials is often meant to make money from these businesses instead of ensuring that laws and regulations are followed (Garcia, Wigger, and Hermann, 2019). When an investor lacks a proper incentive to continue running the business, it is easy to give up and relocate to other regional countries. The problem explains why the manufacturing sector has continued to experience negative growth despite the huge demand attributed to the huge population of the country. Ellingsen and Aasland (2019) note that the cost of doing business in the country is high.

The boom in the oil and gas sector has also led to the stagnation of other sectors of the economy. Agrifoglio (2017) explains that there is a general belief in the country that big money can only be made in the oil sector. As such, major local and foreign investors often consider the industry as their top priority and ignore the other sectors. The cost of energy is another economic factor that has slowed the growth of the manufacturing sector in the country. The country exports crude oil at relatively low prices and imports processed petroleum products at a higher price (Pagoropoulos, Maier, and McAloone, 2017). It means that the industrial sector has to pay more for the energy that they need to facilitate their production. Such a high cost of energy increases the overall cost of operation, a factor that has impeded the growth of manufacturing in the country.

Socio-Cultural Factors

The socio-cultural practices in Nigeria have partly limited the growth of other sectors of the economy. At a time of independence, the agricultural sector in the country was contributing over 60% to the country’s GDP. However, it has since dropped to less than 25% (Afolayan, 2018). The negative growth of this sector has been blamed on a trend where youth energetic people migrate to large cities like Lagos and Abuja in search of white-collar jobs soon after graduating from school. The elderly who are left in the rural settings are too weak to actively engage in farming. They end up relying on subsistence farming and the support they get from their children.

The education system in the country has also been blamed for the poor performance of the economy. Most the college graduates are trained to work in offices. However, these office jobs are limited. These youths avoid working in the industrial sector because of the belief that their academic qualification should earn them well-paying jobs as executives (Afolayan, 2021). The problem has led to a massive increase in unemployment in the country. It explains why the 419 scams has become a major problem in the country. These individuals with advanced education but lack employment turn to crime. The internet and other digital platforms have offered them the opportunity to defraud people in other countries, especially in Europe and North America (Afolayan, 2018). The impact of such crimes is that it has earned the country a negative image in the international community. Potential investors fear investing in the country because of the belief that they can easily lose their money to these criminals.

The Role of the International Community Plays in the Success of Maritime Trade

The international community has a major role to play in enhancing the maritime trade in West Africa. The regional countries in West Africa must play a leading role in diversifying the economy. Nations within the Gulf of Guinea must ensure that maximize opportunities in the maritime trade. The problem is that most of these countries rely on the export of cheap raw materials but import expensive processed products. Liberia exports rubber and iron ore, Ghana exports cocoa and horticulture, while Ivory Coast is known for cocoa, tea, and fruits, the same as Cameroon. Equatorial Guinea exports crude oil and gas just like Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo exports minerals, while Gabon exports oil and metal ores (Afolayan, 2018). It is evident that these countries mainly export raw materials and import vehicles, machinery, medicine, electronics, and other processed products, which are more expensive.

Maritime trade among nations within the Gulf of Guinea is also limited. The fact that most of them are exporting raw materials means that they cannot trade with one another. They need industrialized partners like the United States, European Union, China, and Japan to buy their raw materials and use them to manufacture various products. On the other hand, they need these industrialized countries to sell to them finished products. Nigeria cannot rely on Ghana for vehicles and machinery. Both have to rely on Japan, Germany, the United States, and the United Kingdom for such products. It means that although there is a huge opportunity within the gulf, individual member states have economies that produce similar products, which limits their ability to trade with one another.

The international community has a major role to play in boosting the growth of maritime trade in West Africa. One of the best ways of boosting maritime trade is to eliminate piracy. The problem is that the Gulf of Guinea is currently considered the hotbed for piracy. It is one of the most dangerous regions for large ships. According to Wang et al. (2020), Nigeria, Indonesia, Singapore, and Malaysia recorded the highest cases of piracy in 2020 (Afolayan, 2021). The international community must come together and find a way of fighting this vice to ensure that vessels at the sea are always safe. Emerging technologies in the field of transport and communication have enhanced security in the region significantly. Some of the new transport vessels in the high seas have sophisticated technologies that enable them to detect threats and neutralize them as soon as possible. They are also faster and have greater load-carrying capacity.

The international relations between countries in the region and the international community are critical in facilitating the growth of maritime trade. For instance, Nigeria has maintained a close business relationship with the United States and various European countries. As such, goods have been flowing from Nigeria to Europe and North America and back. When there are strained relations between one country and the international community, maritime trade may be compromised. Zimbabwe’s severed ties with the west following the expulsion of white farmers led to boycotting of the country’s product by European Union and the United States (Wang et al., 2020). The country could not export its raw materials to industrialized nations that needed them. It significantly affected its maritime trade. The incident also demonstrated how inadequate African countries are when it comes to relying on themselves to facilitate maritime trade.

Research Gaps

When conducting this research, it was evident that most of the available literature focuses on maritime trade in Europe and North America. A few literatures that exist does not provide a detailed comparative analysis of West African maritime trade with that of other regions in Africa such as South or East Africa. The socio-economic forces and globalization trends have also not been linked effectively to maritime trade in the region. As such, this study seeks to address these research gaps. Collecting primary data was considered the most effective way of addressing the identified research gaps. The next chapter explains how primary data was gathered and processed to address the existing research gaps.

Methodology and Research Strategy

The previous chapter has provided a detailed review of the literature on the socio-economic impact of globalization in West African maritime trade. Various factors that influence maritime trade in the region have been discussed based on findings that other scholars made in their studies. In this chapter, the focus is to explain the methods that were used to collect, process, and present data. The review revealed that there are gaps in the current body of knowledge in this field that needs to be addressed. It was necessary to collect primary data to address these knowledge gaps. The chapter explains the research philosophy and approach that guided the collection and analysis of data. Research design is also explained in detail in this chapter. Sampling, sample size, and questionnaire design are addressed in the chapter. Also discussed are problems encountered during the study and ethical considerations.

Research Philosophy

When planning to conduct research, one of the first steps is to define the research philosophy that will guide the process of collecting and processing data. As shown in the research onion in figure 3.1 below, it is the first item that has to be defined because it determines the assumptions that one will make in the study. The philosophy defines the assumptions that will be made in the study (Hennink, Hutter, and Bailey, 2020). As shown in the figure below, one can use pragmatism, realism, interpretivism, or positivism as the most preferred research philosophy for the study.

One of the most popular research philosophies is positivism. This philosophy holds the view that knowledge can only be considered factual and trustworthy if it is gained through observations and measurements (Bell, Bryman, and Harley, 2018). The findings made should be observable and quantifiable in direct response to the research question. It limits the role of the researcher in the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data. The researcher is not expected to influence the subjects under investigation in any way. This philosophy is often popular when conducting quantitative research, hence it was not considered appropriate for this study. On the other hand, interpretivism is a philosophy that is popular when conducting qualitative research. It holds the assumption that access to reality is through social constructions such as shared meanings, consciousness, and language (Kara, 2020). It permits the active participation of a researcher in the study. This was also considered inappropriate for this project. The third philosophy is realism. It holds the view that reality is independent of the human mind (Stokes, 2014). As such, knowledge can only be developed through scientific approaches. This philosophy was also inappropriate for the study.

Pragmatism is a popular philosophy when one is conducting research in social sciences. It holds the assumption that “there are many different ways of interpreting the world and undertaking research, that no single point of view can ever give the entire picture and that there may be multiple realities,” (Kara, 2020, p. 49). It moderates the extreme views of interpretivism and positivism by allowing a researcher to use both qualitative and quantitative methods of conducting research. This philosophy was considered the most appropriate when investigating the socio-economic impact of globalization on West African maritime trade. The philosophy will not only allow the researcher to assess the magnitude of the impact but carefully explain why specific events have directly or indirectly affected maritime trade within the region.

Research Approach

When research philosophy has been determined, it is always necessary to define the research approach that will be used in the study. The most popular research approaches are deductive, inductive, and abductive reasoning. Deductive reasoning involves developing a hypothesis based on the existing knowledge and then conducting tests to confirm or reject the hypothesis, as shown in figure 3.2 below. This approach is popular when conducting quantitative research. On the other hand, inductive reasoning involves making observations, developing patterns, and then having a theory. The approach is effective when conducting qualitative research. The choice of research philosophy shows that the researcher is interested in conducting both qualitative and quantitative research. As such, the most appropriate approach is abductive reasoning. It focuses on addressing surprising facts, incomplete observations, and puzzles stated at the initial stages of the study (Laher, Fynn, and Kramer, 2019). It focuses on fully answering research questions using both qualitative and quantitative methods.

Research Design

The research design has to be selected when the philosophy and approach have been defined. In this study, it was necessary to select a design that will enable the researcher to investigate the socio-economic impact of globalization in West Africa. The researcher considered mixed method research as the most appropriate design for the study. It involves the use of both quantitative and qualitative methods. Qualitative methods were meant to address questions focusing on the magnitude of the impact and the existence between specific independent variables and the dependent variable. The qualitative research design was also considered necessary in providing an explanation of specific issues in the study. It helped in explaining specific phenomena that have defined the historical growth of maritime trade in West Africa and why the mono-cultural economy has remained prevalent in the region despite attempts to enhance diversification.

Data Collection

Data used in this study was collected from primary and secondary sources. Secondary data was obtained from peer-reviewed journals, books, and reliable online sources. These sources were instrumental in analyzing the historical growth of maritime trade in West Africa. It also made it easy to conduct a comparative analysis of the maritime trade between West Africa and of East Africa. Reviewing the literature enabled the researcher to understand existing knowledge gaps in this field. It was also necessary to collect primary data from a small sample of respondents. Interviewing individuals who have been working in this sector for some time would help in answering questions that were not effectively addressed by the primary sources.

The current COVID-19 pandemic limited the ability to interact easily with respondents and engage them on a face-to-face interview, but it was possible to reach out to a few individuals with expert knowledge in this industry. They were contacted through social media platforms and phone calls and requested to take part in the study. They were informed that they were expected to take part in the data collection process in their individual capacity as opposed to representing their employer. The issue had to be clarified because the coronavirus containment measures made it difficult to get the needed approvals from these organizations. Those who agreed to be part of the study received the questionnaire through their e-mail addresses. They were instructed on how to respond to the questions. They were expected to e-mail back the filled questionnaires after 2 weeks.

Sampling and Sample Size

Sampling is often necessary when the study focuses on a large population and the researcher has no capacity to interview the entire population. The primary goal of sampling is to have a small group of people that best represents the entire population. It is meant to ensure that data can be collected effectively within the short period that is available for the study. In this case, data had to be collected from stakeholders in the maritime sector. They include individuals who have been working in the Lagos port holding various positions. Individual businessmen whose products have to be imported or exported via the port also qualified as participants in the study. The researcher also needed the opinion of experts in maritime trade.

It was necessary to classify these participants into their respective classes. The researcher identified 3 clusters of respondents for the study. They included employees at the port of Lagos, individual businesspersons who import or export goods through the port, and industry experts. The researcher assigned 10 respondents to the port employees because of the ease of identifying and engaging them in the study through online platforms. Industry experts and businesspersons were assigned 5 participants each. 20 participants were considered enough for data saturation. In each cluster, judgmental sampling, also known as purposive or subjective sampling, was used to select specific participants. This non-judgmental sampling method involves identifying specific participants based on how well a researcher feels they meet specific inclusion criteria.

The researcher made a phone call to each of the participants, and explained to them the significance of the study and the role that they were expected to play in it. They were informed about privacy issues and the need to protect their identity. The researcher addressed all their concerns and only those who stated that they were comfortable participating in the study were included in the study. They were informed that participation was voluntary and that they were at liberty to withdraw from the project. For employees at the port of Lagos, the inclusion requirement was that they had to be at least diploma holders who have worked at the facility for at least five years. For the experts, they must have studied Nigerian maritime trade for at least 3 years with experience in relevant fields. For the businesspersons, they must have been running their import/export business for at least five years. Once selected, the researcher used social media platforms, especially Facebook and WhatsApp, to maintain constant communication with them.

Questionnaire Design

It was necessary to have a standard instrument that would facilitate the process of data collection. The fact that the researcher could not physically interact with respondents because of COVID-19 containment measures meant that it was necessary to have a simple but clear and effective instrument that would make it easy for them to understand and respond to research questions. A questionnaire was developed to facilitate the process of data collection. The document had three sections. The first section of this document focused on the demographical information of the respondents. The main focus of this section was to determine the age, nationality, and residency of the participants. Age was important because the researcher set the limit at 25 years and above for one to participate in the study. Nationality and residency were needed because it was necessary to ensure that those who participate in the study have firsthand experience on the issue. It is possible to have a case where participants rely on information from secondary sources because they have never stayed in Nigeria long enough. Such individuals could not provide an accurate picture of maritime trade in West Africa and how it is impacted by globalization.

The second part of the document focused on the academic qualifications and experience of the respondents. Stokes (2014) explains that an individual who is more knowledgeable in a given field is in a better position to provide an authoritative explanation of an issue under investigation. They will base their argument on academic facts instead of emotions. Similarly, those who have experience on an issue are in the best position to provide explanations on it. Individuals who have worked in the port for years and those who have engaged in maritime trade in the country are in a good position to explain the socio-economic impact of globalization on Nigeria’s maritime trade. They can explain factors that are responsible for the continued mono-cultural economy of the country despite efforts put in place to diversify the country’s economy. It was necessary to ensure that those who participate in the data collection process are not only knowledgeable but also highly experienced in this field.

The last section of the instrument focused on specific questions relating to the socio-economic impact of globalization on West African maritime trade, with a special focus on Nigeria’s Lagos port. In this section, the researcher used both open-ended and closed-ended questions to interrogate the issue under investigation. Closed-ended questions were meant to facilitate quantitative analysis of data. It enabled the researcher to assess the magnitude of the impact and the existence of the relationship between various variables. Qualitative analysis facilitated a detailed analysis of the variables, explaining why the country still has a mono-cultural economy despite the effort that has been made by the government and other stakeholders to diversify it. These open-ended questions allowed researchers to explain how globalization, especially in the field of communication and transport, has affected the region’s maritime trade.

Tasks Duration

It was necessary to have a timeline of activities that were carried out in this academic project. As shown in table 3.1, a research proposal had already been developed and approval gotten, which enabled the researcher to proceed with the study. A questionnaire was then developed to facilitate the process of collecting primary data from those who were identified as participants. It took two days to develop comprehensive questions that were in line with the goal and objectives of the study. A literature review was a continuous process, as shown in the table below. It started when developing a proposal when secondary data had to be reviewed to provide background knowledge for the study. It continued when conducting the actual research as it was necessary to determine if findings made through primary data analysis backed information available in the existing literature.

The process of collecting primary data was a little complex because of the coronavirus containment measures. It explains why 3 weeks were needed to conduct primary data collection. It involved defining a sample size, then identifying the participants, contacting them and explaining the relevance of the study, and then ensuring that the instrument of data collection is e-mailed to them at the right time. The next item was to analyze the primary data that was collected from the participants. The approach of analysis is explained below. The last activity was writing and proofing the report. It took about 2 weeks to prepare the document before it was ready to be delivered.

Table 3.1: Task Duration

Task/Duration {2021}	Feb 1- 11	Feb 13- Feb 25	Feb 18-20	Feb 1- 17 April	Feb 22-March 19	March 25-Apr 2	Apr 5-17
Proposal development
Proposal approval
Questionnaire development
Literature review
Primary data collection
Primary data analysis
Writing & proofing the report

Data Analysis

When data has been collected from the sampled respondents, the next step is to conduct an analysis. The analysis had to focus on answering all the research questions set in the first chapter of the paper. As explained above, mixed-method research was considered the most effective way of processing the primary data. The quantitative method was used to address specific issues in the project such as the magnitude of the impact of globalization on West African maritime trade and the level of the relationship between various independent variables and the dependent variables. The outcome of the analysis was presented in graphs and charts for ease of understanding. The qualitative analysis made it possible for the researcher to go beyond statistics in the analysis. It made it possible to provide detailed explanations of specific phenomena that help in explaining the issue under investigation. Allowing respondents to use their own words to provide a detailed explanation of these issues made it possible to explain why Nigeria still has a mono-cultural economy despite the numerous opportunities that it has to explore and expand other sectors.

Challenges Encountered

It is common for a researcher to encounter various challenges when conducting research. This study was not an exception. One of the major challenges encountered at the initial stages of this study was a limited amount of literature that directly addresses the research topic. The researcher was unable to access some of the public libraries because of the COVID-19 containment measures. As such, online databases became the primary source of the materials available. Most of these books and journal articles were published in and focus on western countries, especially the United States and Western Europe. It was time-consuming to find literature that focuses effectively in West and East Africa. Despite the challenge, the researcher was able to have access to the needed materials.

The initial plan of the researcher was to sample participants and then conduct a face-to-face interview because it is often considered the best way of collecting primary data more accurately. However, that was not possible because of the coronavirus pandemic that has hit the global community. As such, the researcher had to shift from the initial plan to rely on an online survey. It was challenging to identify participants to take part in the investigation. Some of the respondents also withdrew from the study without informing the researcher. Such participants had to be promptly replaced. Others took longer time than they had been granted. In such cases, the researcher had to be flexible enough to wait for them to fill in the questionnaires.

Ethical Considerations

When conducting research, it is always advisable to take into consideration ethical issues. Kara (2020) explains that when data has to be collected from a sample of respondents, there are specific factors that have to be considered before collecting data. First is the need to get permission from relevant offices if data is to be collected from employees of a given organization. Challenges posed by COVID-19, as discussed above, made the process of getting such approvals challenging. As such, data was collected from individuals within the industry who did not need to get approval from their work to participate in the study. The second ethical consideration that has to be considered is the need to protect the identity of the respondents. According to Andrew, Pedersen and McEvoy (2019), respondents need to be protected from victimization that may arise at work or within the community because of their opinion which may be divergent from that of the majority of those who are in positions of power. As such, instead of using their actual names, respondents were assigned numerical identifications (Respondent 1, Respondent 2, Respondent 3 …) to ensure that no one can trace them.

It was essential to ensure that all respondents understood the need for the study and the role that they were expected to play. The respondent explained the same to all participants before starting the actual process of data collection. They were also informed that their participation in this study was voluntary and that if they felt compelled to withdraw from the study at any stage, they were at liberty to do so. It would be upon the researcher to find their replacements as soon as possible to achieve data saturation. The school also has standard rules and procedures that the researcher had to observe. One of them is the need to avoid any form of plagiarism. The report was written from scratch, and information collected from secondary sources was referenced accordingly using Harvard referencing style.

Analysis and Discussion

The previous chapter explained the method that was used to gather and process primary data from a sample of respondents. In this chapter, the focus is to present and discuss findings made from the investigations. The chapter focused on addressing the research gaps identified during the review of the literature by directly responding to the research questions. As explained in the section above, the analysis was conducted both qualitatively and quantitatively. The following are the outcome of the analysis of responses obtained from individuals who participated in this study.

Socio-Economic Impact of Globalization on West African Maritime Trade

When conducting the analysis, one of the issues that the researcher was interested in addressing was the socio-economic impact of globalization on West African maritime trade. Advancements in the fields of transport and communication have had a major impact on global trade. When reviewing the literature, it was evident that globalization has had a major impact on maritime trade in this region. It was necessary to confirm the same based on primary data that was collected from the sampled participants.

Do you believe that West African maritime trade is significantly affected, both socially and economically, by globalization?

Respondents were asked to directly state whether they believe globalization has had an impact on West African maritime trade. As shown in figure 4.1 below, the majority of the respondents (85%) agreed that globalization has affected maritime trade in this region. 40% agreed while 45% strongly agreed. 10% of the respondents were not sure about the impact while another 5% stated that the impact has not been significant. This finding reaffirms the finding made from secondary sources that West African maritime trade has been impacted by globalization.

Nigeria’s Mono-Cultural Economy

The review of the literature has revealed that Nigeria largely has a mono-cultural economy. Crude oil is the only major export coming from the country despite the effort that various stakeholders have made to diversify it. International oil prices have been fluctuating, which has had a negative impact on the country’s economic stability. Respondents were asked to state whether they believe the country has achieved success in this effort.

Do you believe that Nigeria has achieved success in its effort to diversify its export products?

Respondents were asked to state whether they believe Nigeria has achieved success in its effort to diversify its export products. Figure 4.2 below shows the response that was obtained from the participants. An overwhelming majority of the participants strongly disagree with the statement that the country has been successful in its diversification strategies. Another 30% of the participants disagree. It means that 90% of those who took part in the study believe that the government has not done enough to diversify its exports. 5% stated that they are not sure while another 5% believe that the country is on the right track towards diversification of its exports. Findings support the argument that Nigeria is still largely a mono-cultural economy, heavily relying on the export of oil to the international market.

The majority of the respondents stated that the country has not done enough to diversify its economy and to reduce its reliance on oil exports. The researcher was interested in determining if this failure is caused by the country’s lack of capacity or lack of goodwill from the leaders despite the existing potentials. Respondents were asked the following structured question.

Do you believe the country has the capacity to diversify its economy to reduce its reliance on the exportation of oil?

Figure 4.3 below shows the response obtained from the participants. It is evident that an overwhelming majority of the participants believe that the country has the capacity to diversify its exports. 45% strongly agree while another 40% agree, which means that 85% of the respondents agree the country can diversify its exports. 5% of the participants stated that they were not sure, while the other 10% believe that lack of capacity is the main cause of Nigeria’s mono-cultural economy. Findings made from primary sources support information that was obtained from the review of the literature. The country has the capacity to diversify its economy but there is a lack of political goodwill. Policymakers and those responsible for their implementation have not taken into serious consideration the need to spur growth in the country’s industrial sector.

What has impeded the diversification of Nigeria’s exports to the international market?

The researcher wanted to determine, from the participants, factors that have impeded the diversification of Nigeria’s exports to the international market. Participants were asked to provide a brief explanation of the factors that they believe have significantly contributed to the current challenge that the country faces. Below are some of the responses obtained from those who participated in the study.

Participant 3 said, “I believe there is a lack of political goodwill from those trusted with leadership. Politicians make a lot of promises during the electioneering period, but once they are in office, they take care of their personal interests. Diversification of the economy apparently is not one of their priorities.”

This respondent believes that the problem lies with the political class. They have failed to enact and implement policies that would facilitate the growth of the industrial sector in the country.

Participant 7 said, “The government is comfortable with the earnings made from the exportation of oil to the international market. As such, it lacks the pressure to find alternative foreign exchange earners.”

The boom in the global oil trade has created a sense of comfortable in the country. As such, those in the position of power do not feel compelled to find alternative sources of income because the oil trade is supporting the economy.

Participant 12 said, “I believe there is a lack of incentives for people to invest in the industrial sector within the country. Those who have ventured into manufacturing have to be ready to offer bribes to government officials whenever there is a supervision.”

The respondent explained that in this country, the government has failed to offer investors incentives that can motivate them to venture into manufacturing. Instead, numerous bottlenecks have been created that discourages investments into the sector. One of the main problems is graft. Firms are forced to spend a lot in paying bribes, making foreign investors to shy away from the country.

What are the main challenges to the growth of Nigeria’s maritime trade?

The respondents were asked to state the main challenges that they believe are slowing Nigeria’s maritime trade. These participants were able to identify various factors as stated below.

Participant 4 said, “The main problem is lack of security in the high seas. The Gulf of Guinea is one of the maritime regions most affected by the problem of piracy. Most vessels that use it do so because of lack of alternative routes.”

Regional governments have failed to address the problem of piracy in the West African coastline. Some scholars have explained that some of these pirates are working closely with some government officials who also benefit from the crime. The practice has slowed the rapid growth of maritime trade in the region.

Participant 8 stated, “Regional maritime trade has been impeded by lack of processing capacity among countries in West Africa. Most of them export raw materials that can only be sold in industrialized countries. As such, their ability to trade amongst themselves is significantly reduced.”

Nigeria exports almost similar products as Ghana and Ivory Cost. The two countries do not need most of the raw materials they produce because they lack the capacity to process them. As such, Ghana is not the leading trade partner of Nigeria although the two are neighbors.

A Comparative Analysis of West African Maritime Trade with That of East Africa

The researcher was interested in conducting a comparative analysis of the maritime trade in West Africa (Lagos port) with that in East Africa (Mombasa port). As shown above, most of the respondents felt that the mono-cultural nature of Nigeria’s economy is caused mainly by the lack of political goodwill. A comparative analysis of the two regions would help in reaffirming or disputing such claims. The following question was used to conduct the analysis.

How does West African maritime trade (Lagos port) compare with that in East Africa (Mombasa port)?

Most of those who were interviewed lacked detailed and accurate information about maritime trade in East Africa’s port of Mombasa. As such, the researcher obtained independent studies conducted in these two ports to conduct the analysis. Figure 4.4 below shows the composition of exports through the port of Mombasa while figure 4.5 shows the same at Lagos port.

Although the statistics are not of the same year, they provide a clear picture of the composition of exports in the two ports. It is evident that Kenya’s export portfolio is highly diversified and no single export accounts for more than 21%. It means that even if there is a problem with one product, the others can still sustain the economy. On the other hand, oil and gas account for nearly 99% of Nigeria’s export. Other sectors play a negligible role in the country’s economy. The findings reaffirm the claim that Nigeria has the capacity because Kenya has achieved the goal of diversifying its exports. However, those in positions of power have failed to take the necessary measures to ensure that diversification is achieved. A comparative analysis of port operation in areas such as port congestion and air quality of West African ports and East African ports shows that the East African country is performing better. Lagos port is always congested and oil-related activities have been blamed for the constant environmental pollution (Onolememen, 2020). The Mombasa port has performed better in processing goods into and out of the country at a relatively faster rate.

Conclusion

The previous chapter has provided a detailed analysis of data obtained from primary sources. In this section, the focus is to integrate information collected from primary and secondary sources and provide a summary of the same and offer the way forward. The analysis shows that West African maritime trade plays a critical role in enhancing the growth of individual member states in the region. The analysis of primary and secondary data shows that most of the products leaving African coastlines to the international markets are mainly raw materials. On the other hand, the region imports vehicles, machines, electronics, and cars among other finished products. The net effect of this trade is that most of the products that the regional countries in West Africa sell are cheap while those that they buy are relatively more expensive. The main problem that has been revealed through this investigation is that Nigeria has a mono-cultural economy.

The country’s primary export is oil. Other sectors of the economy, especially the manufacturing sector, have not achieved any significant growth since independence. Although the size and capacity of the port of Lagos have increased significantly over the past six decades, the country has failed to diversify its product portfolio. Information obtained from both primary and secondary sources blames the political class who lack the goodwill to support the rapid growth of other sectors of the economy. Piracy and other incidences of insecurity in the Gulf of Guinea is another challenge that has affected maritime trade in West Africa. Different stakeholders can address the challenges to the growth of Nigeria’s maritime trade. A comparative analysis of the port of Mombasa and Lagos port shows that it is possible for the country to achieve diversification and enhance maritime trade. The following recommendations should be considered by various stakeholders:

• The government of Nigeria should provide more incentive to private sector players to encourage them to invest in the country’s manufacturing sector;
• The government should fight graft and eliminate bottlenecks that impede the growth of the industrial sector in the country;
• The Nigerian government should make an effort to neutralize internal security threats, especially activities of Boko Haram in the northeastern province;
• The international community, especially regional governments in the Gulf of Guinea, should focus on eliminating piracy and other security challenges.

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Appendices: Questionnaire

Section A: Demographical Background

Kindly select your age group:

• 18-25 Years
• 26-35 Years
• 36-45 Years
• 46-60 Years
• Over 60 Years

What is your nationality?

• Nigerian National
• Foreign National

How long have you been staying in Nigeria? (For foreign nationals only)

• Less than 2 years
• 2-4 Years
• 5-7 Years
• 8-10 Years
• Over 10 Years

Section B: Educational Background and Experience

Kindly select your highest academic qualification.

• High school
• Diploma
• Degree
• Master
• Doctorate

Kindly select a cluster that defines your current job:

• Employees at the port of Lagos
• Businesspersons who import/export goods through the port
• An industry expert

How long have you been in the position stated in question 2 above?

• Less than 1 Year
• 1-2 Years
• 3-4 Years
• 5-7 Years
• Over 7 Years

Which department do you belong at this institution? (For employees of the Lagos port only):

• Finance
• Administration
• Online Learning
• Research and Extension
• Student
• Other (Specify)

What is your current managerial position at the firm? (For employees of the Lagos port only):

• Top managerial position
• Middle-management position
• Non-managerial position

Section C: Socio-Economic Impact of Globalization on West African Maritime Trade

Do you believe that West African maritime trade is significantly affected, both socially and economically, by globalization?

• Strongly agree
• Agree
• Not sure
• Disagree
• Strongly disagree

How does the socio-economic forces of globalization influence West African Trade? (Kindly provide a short explanation).

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Do you believe that Nigeria has achieved success in its effort to diversify its export products?

• Strongly agree
• Agree
• Not sure
• Disagree
• Strongly disagree

What has impeded the diversification of Nigeria’s exports to the international market? (Kindly provide a short explanation).

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Do you believe the country has the capacity to diversify its economy to reduce its reliance on the exportation of oil?

• Strongly agree
• Agree
• Not sure
• Disagree
• Strongly disagree

What are the main challenges to the growth of Nigeria’s maritime trade? (Kindly list them).

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2. __
3. __
4. __
5. __
6. __

How can different stakeholders address the challenges to the growth of Nigeria’s maritime trade? (Kindly provide a short explanation).

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How does West African maritime trade (Lagos port) compare with that in East Africa (Mombasa port)? (Identify similarities and differences).

Similarities:

1. __
2. __
3. __
4. __

Differences:

1. __
2. __
3. __
4. __