International humanitarian organizations played a prominent role in the Nigeria-Biafra War, but scholars have paid little or no attention to the humanitarian crisis in the war and the global humanitarian intervention that followed it. This thesis aims to fill a gap in the historiography of international humanitarian aid in the Nigeria-Biafra War by focusing on the Joint Church Aid (JCA), a consortium of Catholic and Protestant Churches that provided relief aid for the starving civilians in Biafra. This study of the JCA is broken down into three parts: the humanitarian impulse in the Nigeria-Biafra conflict, the formation of the JCA and its relief organization, and the challenges of relief operation in Biafra. The research provides a window into understanding the complex nature of international humanitarian aid in political conflicts. This dissertation argues that the JCA’s humanitarian operation, though relatively successful, had unintended consequences. While the JCA aimed to provide relief for the starving Biafran population, it was interpreted by the Nigerian government as political support for a “rebellion.” Convinced that the humanitarian organizations engaged in arms dealings with the Biafran government, the Nigerian government intensified military counter-action against the relief operation. The Nigerian government refused to separate international humanitarian aid from the political objectives of the war hence starvation came to be seen as a legitimate instrument of warfare. On the Biafran side, however, there was an effort to separate international humanitarian aid from the politics and hostilities of the war. Consequently, humanitarianism became a deeply contested issue that brought the humanitarian agencies into direct conflict with the Nigerian government. This study contributes to the scholarship on international humanitarianism and the internationalization of armed conflicts in postcolonial Africa. / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Background: E-Commerce is a type of commerce that has become increasingly important worldwide in the last 20 years. Especially the Covid-19 pandemic has once again strongly catalyzed this development. However, there are still difficulties in implementing and conducting E- Commerce, especially in developing countries such as Nigeria. Much research has been done to determine what challenges companies face when implementing E-Commerce solutions in Nigeria. However, overcoming these challenges still needs to be elucidated by research. Purpose: This study aims to discover what challenges exist for E-Commerce companies in Nigeria and what solutions could help overcome them. By identifying these challenges and solutions, our study aims to provide a deeper insight into the E-Commerce world of the developing country Nigeria and thus show companies how they can deal with these issues. Method: We conducted a qualitative study using a grounded theory approach. Semi-structured interviews with experts, E-Commerce-, logistic- and FinTech-companies provided insights into the E-Commerce landscape of Nigeria. Conclusion: The study revealed that there are still many challenges in the E-Commerce sector in Nigeria. However, there are many solutions to the issues, especially in terms of E-Commerce awareness, logistics, and sustainability, which ultimately underlines the potential of E-Commerce in Nigeria.

Thesis (Dr.P.H.)--Boston University / The recently classified neglected tropical diseases (NTD), -- onchocerciasis, lymphatic filariasis, schistosomiasis, and soil-transmitted helminthiasis -- are all coendemic in Nigeria. The World Health Organization recommended strategy for addressing these diseases is preventive chemotherapy through annual mass drug administration (MDA) with ivermectin, albendazole, and praziquantel. Integrated delivery of these medicines has become the de facto strategy advocated for in the literature as a means of reducing costs through shared resources. Little empirical evidence, however, exists to support this. This paper explores these diseases and the concept of integration in the context of the global strategies for their control. A literature review was conducted using PubMed to identify articles published containing any of the disease names and costs. Of the 2,028 articles returned, only 14 published between 1998 and 2011 met the criteria for review. All costs were adjusted for inflation. Overall, the mean cost of MDA by any means was 0.83 cents. No data comparing separate MDA to integrated MDA were found. To examine this, a model was created comparing MDA programs with similar distribution strategies and targeting similar diseases. Data from separate articles presenting stand alone MDA were combined to give a mean cost of 0.42 cents to deliver two medicines in two rounds. This was compared with articles showing integrated MDA, which gave a mean cost of 0.25 cents to deliver two medicines in a single round. This suggests a cost savings of 40 percent. To verify this, data from a NTD program in Nigeria that transitioned to integrated MDA was examined in detail. In 2008, eight districts received a single round of ivermectin with albendazole followed at least 1 week later by a single round of praziquantel to school-aged children. The following year, a single round of all three drugs was co-administered. The number of treated individuals was essentially unchanged during both years (1,301,864 in 2008 and 1,297,509 in 2009). The total programmatic costs for the MDA, not including drug and overhead costs, reduced by 41% from $123,624 to $72,870, similar to savings seen in the literature review. Cost savings were attributed largely to transportation and personnel costs. Integrated delivery of medicines is recommended for mature programs targeting these diseases.

No / Nigeria is Africa's largest oil producing country. Oil generates enormous wealth but also extensive and devastating conflict in the country. High Stakes and Stakeholders critically explores the oil conflict in Nigeria, its evolution, dynamics and most significantly, the interplay and consequences of high stake politics for the reproduction and persistence of the conflict. It presents a conceptual anatomy of state-oil industry-society relations and demonstrates how the embedded material interests and accumulation patterns of different stakeholders underlie, shape and complicate both the oil conflict and security. In addition, the book provides key insights into comparable conflicts elsewhere in the global south, developing a logical framework for resolving the oil conflict in Nigeria and for reforming the security sector.

Thesis advisor: Catherine Cornille / Thesis advisor: Margaret Guider / Thesis (STL) — Boston College, 2021. / Submitted to: Boston College. School of Theology and Ministry. / Discipline: Sacred Theology.

Thesis advisor: Brian Dunkle / Thesis advisor: Catherine M. Mooney / Every generation encounters moral problems. Thus, designing an ethical standard or a moral guide for any generation has been a major concern for great minds who believe in a genuine pursuit of happiness through virtuous life. Ancient philosophers like Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, and the Stoics debated on this in their time by acknowledging essential virtues such as wisdom, courage, justice, and temperance as moral principles. Marcus Aurelius Cicero followed the moral principles of these ancient Greek philosophers and, to encourage young Romans aspiring for leadership positions, wrote a book titled De Officiis, a handbook on duty and responsibility. Ambrose of Milan, a statesman turned churchman, who also studied the pagan virtues of these Greek philosopher and the work of Cicero, wrote De Officiis Ministrorum, a handbook on duty for clergy, religious, and Christians of his diocese. Ambrose adopted and adapted the pagan virtues into Christian virtues. The virtues of prudence and courage are critical virtues among the cardinal virtues that Ambrose analyzed in his work using biblical exemplars as models for Christians of his time. The current situation in Nigeria needs a reconsideration as corruption and other moral vices have occupied the central stage in Nigeria. Highlighting Ambrose's virtue theory and teaching on prudence and courage as part of daily catechesis and homily will be necessary for the development of moral consciousness and values among the Christians and non-Christians in Nigeria. This work traces the historical development of virtue theory from ancient times to the time of Ambrose. It uses historical analysis to bring forward the Christian virtues taught by Ambrose and their exemplars, and argues for emulation of these tremendous biblical exemplars and suggests modern and local exemplars from the Nigerian perspective and Africa at large. / Thesis (STL) — Boston College, 2023. / Submitted to: Boston College. School of Theology and Ministry. / Discipline: Sacred Theology.

Thesis advisor: Richard Lennan / Thesis advisor: Rafael Luciani / Thesis (STL) — Boston College, 2022. / Submitted to: Boston College. School of Theology and Ministry. / Discipline: Sacred Theology.

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