The dissertation assesses Nigeria's role within the Organisation of African Unity as a status quo mediator in African conflict situations between May 25 1963, which marks the beginning of her role, and 1988. Chapter One traces the historical background of the OAU since Nigeria's diplomatic effort in African conflicts have been channelled through the organisation. Chapter two examines the basis of Nigeria's influence in Africa. Chapter three addresses the thesis' first case study, the Nigerian Civil War (1967-1970), to give a critical analysis of the federal government's diplomatic conduct, when the nation became the subject-matter of the organisation's conflict management machinery. Chapter four shows how Nigeria extended her influence in African politics through the Angolan independence crisis. Chapter five interprets Nigeria's interests in the Chadian conflict and examines the limitations of her leading role in OAU conflict management efforts as exemplified in her unilateral and collective peace-keeping roles in Chad in 1979 and 1981/82 respectively. Chapter six traces the historical background of the Cameroonian/Nigerian conflict of 1981 in order to sustain the claim that Nigeria is a status quo mediator in view of the 'pacific style' adopted by President Sheu Shagari during the border crisis. Chapter seven concludes that the imposing constraints on Nigeria's role as a status quo mediator are: (a) Limited economic resources. (b) Political instability. (c) Limitations of the domestic clause in the OAU Charter, Article III paragraph (2), which prohibits interference in the internal affairs of states. (d) Paucity of military resources.

This thesis embodies an empirical investigation into the entrepreneurial and contingency (domestic environmental) factors which underlie the initial export venturing of manufacturing firms from Nigeria, a sub-Sahara African country. It situates the overall level of export entrepreneurship in Nigeria within a moderate to low range, but recognises the prevalence of illegal, across-the-border trade, as well as domestic environmental disincentives. Using an empirically validated exportentrepreneurial orientation construct, a high versus low export-entrepreneurial taxonomy was derived. The high export-entrepreneurial firm is profiled as typically innovative in developing exporting, less averse to exporting risks, and has more proactive motivations for exporting. Its decision makers, largely entrepreneurial personality types, are possessed of international orientation, contact networks, and previous business experience. The firm itself is characterised by top management support, plannin g orientation, unique/quality products, ability to develop new markets, access to middlemen network (both local and international), technological capability, and proactive search for export information. It perceives domestic environmental hostilities as much as other firms, but appears better able to adapt, hence enter the export market. This contingent fit between high export-entrepreneurial orientation, environmental disincentives and positive export behaviour has implications for the export development initiatives of the Nigerian Government (including its agencies), organised private sector institutions and international bodies. Focus and emphasis should be placed on equipping firms and business people with those characteristics identified, and outlined above, as correlates of export entrepreneurship. Specific proposals put forward in this thesis include the introduction of training programmes on international entrepreneurship (possibly sponsored by the IMF/UNCTAD), setting up of export trading companies, export mentoring schemes, and localised export clubs. Major improvements are also required in the operating environment, including the implementation of government's export promotion programme. Another key point emerging from this study is that all high export-entrepreneurial firms do not export, while some low export-entrepreneurial firms do. This suggests the need for a new firm taxonomy built around export-entrepreneurial orientation and exporting status, thus: (i) high export-entrepreneurial exporters; (ii) low export-entrepreneurial exporters; (iii) high export-entrepreneurial non-exporters; and (iv) low export-entrepreneurial non-exporters. Specific recommendations are targeted, in this thesis, to each of these four categories of firms based on the appreciation of their areas of greatest need/weakness.

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Thesis (M.A.)--Eastern Illinois University, 1990. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 69-73).

Texte remanié de: Th. Doct.--Philosophy--Zaria, Nigeria--Ahmadu Bello University, 1974. / Bibliogr. p. 243-250. Glossaire. Index.

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1971. / eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1969. / eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references.

Regional development is currently a major concern of governments in the developing countries - Nigeria included. The basic emphasis of regional development in these countries is the improvement of "quality of life for all citizens as development progresses" (Federal Republic of Nigeria: Third National Development Plan, 1975 - 80, Lagos, 1975, p. 291). In order to achieve this objective, emphasis is usually placed on the rural sector of the economy - where a majority of the citizens still live and are employed. The improvement of this sector is also the focus of this study. There are many strategies which are capable, at least theoretically, of improving conditions in the rural areas but the main emphasis of this study is the development of rural transportation as a means of developing the rural areas. Transportation is viewed as a necessity in any human settlement as people and goods have to move from one place to the other, for economic, social and political purposes. The first objective of this study is the establishment of the relationship between transportation and rural development - i.e. that there is a rural demand for transportation. If this demand exists, what mode of transport is most likely to satisfy that demand? At present in Nigeria, roads seem to be dominating other modes because of its characteristics. In this study, transportation is not seen as the sole agent for rural development. For a transportation strategy to be successful, it has to be coordinated with other development strategies. The problem of providing adequate rural transportation is identified as an institutional one. The institutional framework within which transportation is provided in Nigeria is then examined and problems identified, especially those related to rural transportation construction and maintenance. Especially apparent in the deficiencies of the existing administrative structure is the lack of coordination which it permits This lack of coordination of transportation policies exists between different ministries of the same government and between different levels of government - i.e. both horizontally and vertically. For this lack of coordination, it seems that the rural'roads are the most vulnerable. In view of this institutional problem, a modification of the existing structure is recommended, which gives greater emphasis to the development and maintenance of local roads in conjunction with the development of other modes of transportation for the country. The major modification is in favour of reducing the existing responsibi1ities of Local Governments in road transportation construction. This implies that the Federal and State Governments would have to take more shares if all types of roads are to be developed - i.e. providing good transportation in the rural areas. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Community and Regional Planning (SCARP), School of / Graduate

Thesis advisor: Félix J. Palazzi von Büren / Thesis advisor: Colleen Griffith / Thesis (STL) — Boston College, 2021. / Submitted to: Boston College. School of Theology and Ministry. / Discipline: Sacred Theology.

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