Question 7
Identify any five ways by which Nigeria has benefitted from her membership of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Observation
This was one of the most popular questions but was poorly answered by the candidates. Instead of discussing the benefits Nigeria derived from being a member of ECOWAS they simply discussed the general activities/achievement of ECOWAS. The under listed points were expected to be discussed by candidates in order to get good marks:
(i) ECOWAS has created job opportunities for Nigerians.
(ii) It has helped to facilitate the free movement of Nigerians and goods to other member countries.
(iii) Nigeria has benefitted from the sporting and cultural activities of the organization.
(iv) ECOWAS has created a larger market for the sale of goods produced in Nigeria and vice versa.
(v) Nigeria has benefitted from the hosting of ECOWAS heads of government and states meetings.
(vi) Some good number of Nigerian soldiers served in ECOWAS Mission in both Sierra Leone and Liberia who returned home with lot of experience and financial benefits.
(vii) Generation of foreign exchange from Nigerian businesses in ECOWAS countries.
(viii) Derived financial benefits with the establishment of ECObank.