DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES

This study examines reconciliation efforts in post-conflict societies through a comparative analysis of South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) and Nigeria’s Human Rights Violations Investigation Commission (HRVIC), popularly known as the Oputa Panel. Both commissions were established to address decades of state-sponsored violence, promote national healing, and facilitate democratic renewal following systemic abuses apartheid in South Africa and military dictatorship in Nigeria. The research explores their legal foundations, operational frameworks, achievements, and limitations, assessing how political will, institutional design, and resource availability shaped their effectiveness. Findings reveal that while the South African TRC operated under a robust constitutional framework with statutory powers to grant amnesty and recommend reparations, the Nigerian Oputa Panel functioned as an ad hoc presidential commission lacking legislative backing. Consequently, the TRC succeeded in fostering national dialogue and establishing an enduring historical record, whereas the Oputa Panel’s impact was undermined by chronic underfunding, political interference, and weak enforcement mechanisms. The study concludes that truth commissions can serve as vital instruments for transitional justice and democratic consolidation, but their success depends on strong legal authority, sustained political commitment, adequate funding, and credible followthrough on recommendations. By comparing these two experiences, the research underscores essential lessons for post-conflict societies seeking lasting reconciliation, justice, and institutional reform across Africa.

This study examines the role of corruption in Nigeria’s electoral process through a comparative analysis of the 2011 and 2015 presidential elections. It argues that corruption is a structural feature of Nigeria’s democratic system, shaping electoral outcomes, political behavior, and public trust. Using qualitative methods, including interviews, focus group discussions, and secondary sources, the research explores how electoral malpractice, vote-buying, institutional manipulation, and political violence undermine electoral integrity. The findings reveal that while the 2011 election was relatively credible in procedure, it was followed by widespread post- election violence, whereas the 2015 election marked a historic democratic transition but was heavily characterized by systemic corruption and elite manipulation. The study further establishes that electoral reforms, such as the introduction of biometric technologies, have had limited impact due to weak enforcement and lack of political will. It concludes that corruption operates at multiple levels within the electoral system and continues to hinder democratic consolidation in Nigeria. The study recommends strengthening institutional independence, enforcing electoral laws, and addressing socio-economic vulnerabilities that sustain political corruption

The Middle Belt of Nigeria has increasingly become a focal point of conflict and insecurity, primarily due to the alarming rise of banditry. This region, known for its rich cultural diversity and complex socio-political landscape, has faced a significant escalation in violent attacks, kidnappings, and other forms of criminality. Banditry is not merely a law enforcement challenge; it intertwines with historical grievances, economic disparities, and social dynamics that have developed over decades. The consequences of this violence are profound, leading to loss of life, displacement, and a pervasive atmosphere of fear that affects everyday life in the region 1. Historically, banditry in Nigeria has evolved from a combination of socio-economic stressors, including poverty, unemployment, and competition for resources 2. In the Middle Belt, issues such as land disputes and struggles over access to grazing routes have intensified tensions among different ethnic groups. These historical conflicts, often exacerbated by a lack of effective governance and security, have created an environment where armed groups can thrive 3. Communities are left vulnerable, often relying on traditional forms of conflict resolution that may no longer be effective in the face of modern criminal tactics. In recent years, social media has emerged as a crucial tool in the fight against banditry. Platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and WhatsApp have reshaped the way information is disseminated, enabling rapid communication and mobilization of community responses to threats. The immediacy of social media allows individuals to report incidents of violence and share updates on security situations, which is particularly vital in areas where traditional media coverage is limited 4. This real-time information sharing has empowered communities to act swiftly in the face of danger, fostering a sense of solidarity and collective action. Moreover, social media has catalyzed grassroots activism that challenges prevailing narratives surrounding banditry. Activists and community leaders leverage these platforms to raise awareness about the impacts of banditry on local populations, advocating for stronger government intervention and increased community engagement. Campaigns utilizing hashtags and viral content have garnered significant public attention, compelling authorities to take more decisive action against the crisis 5. This digital activism represents a critical avenue for advocacy, showcasing the potential of social media to drive change and mobilize support. As we consider the period from 2010 to 2024, the intersection of technology and grassroots activism becomes increasingly relevant. Communities navigating the complexities of banditry must understand how social media influences public perception and action. This understanding is essential for developing effective strategies to combat the persistent issue of banditry. While social media presents numerous opportunities for engagement and mobilization, it is crucial to recognize its limitations. Misinformation, online harassment, and the digital divide pose challenges that can hinder the effectiveness of social media campaigns, complicating the landscape of advocacy 6. In summary, this introduction sets the stage for an exploration of the dynamics at play in the Middle Belt of Nigeria, highlighting the role of social media as both a tool for awareness and a platform for community resilience. By examining how social media influences responses to banditry, this study aims to contribute to a nuanced understanding of the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for affected communities. The subsequent chapters will delve deeper into the historical context, causes, and implications of banditry, ensuring a comprehensive analysis of this pressing issue.

There is hardly any study of pre-colonial Africa examined through the
prejudiced lenses of European scholars that did not downplay the existence of any
history of interaction. Hitherto, theoretical analysis of inter-group relations in precolonial
Africa was one that embraced a verdict of non-existence. For these
scholars, pre-colonial Africa was bereft of any meaningful cultivation of
interaction, and should it be credited for such, it was one replete with incessant
hostilities amongst ‘natives’ and ‘tribes’. That is such assessment usually
emphasized isolation and hostility. However, this raises the question: In a world
wherein relations eminently necessitate survival, how possible is it to exist in
isolation? As the axiom goes; no nation is an island – Undoubtedly, no human
society notwithstanding its level of development is all-sufficient. Variations in
natural endowment, for example, breeds an inevitable need for inter-group
relation.2 All groups are mutually inter-dependent and same holds true for precolonial
Africa societies.

Background to the Study Development has been a fundamental goal that heads of government and international organizations aspire for globally. The coming of the year 2000 carried with it intellectual social initiative known as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). It was to tackle the most seemingly close intrusions into society by poverty, education, health, and environmental sustainability issues on a global scale. These were the objectives that needed to be achieved so that lives would improve, especially in developing countries. Nigeria is one of the participating countries, that engaged in different policies and programs regarding the realization of some of these targets set out by the MDG.

Climate change is rapidly transforming the global geopolitical landscape, acting as a potent threat multiplier that reshapes traditional notions of international security. This paper examines the profound security implications of global warming through a targeted case study of the Arctic region. As rising temperatures trigger unprecedented ice melt, the Arctic is transitioning from an inaccessible, cooperative periphery into a strategic arena of geopolitical competition. The opening of new maritime trade routes, such as the Northern Sea Route, alongside newly accessible and vast reserves of oil, natural gas, and critical minerals, has intensified competition among Arctic and non-Arctic states alike. This study analyzes how these ecological shifts disrupt regional stability, looking specifically at increased militarization, sovereignty disputes, and the strain placed on existing governance frameworks like the Arctic Council. Beyond state-centric hard security, the paper also addresses human and environmental security, highlighting the existential threats posed to indigenous populations and fragile ecosystems. Ultimately, this research argues that the Arctic serves as a critical bellwether for 21st-century international relations, demonstrating that effective climate mitigation and robust multilateral cooperation are indispensable to preventing ecological transformation from devolving into interstate conflict.

This study assesses Nigeria's foreign policy under the administration President Muhammadu Buhari from 2015 to 2023, with emphasis n s objectives, implementation, achievements, and challenges. The research examines how the Buhari administration pursued Nigeria's national interest through security diplomacy, economic diplomacy, regional cooperation, and international engagement. Using a qualitative research design, the study relies on secondary sources of data, including government publications, scholarly journals, books, policy documents, and reports from international organizations. The analysis is anchored on the Realist Theory of International Relations, which emphasizes the pursuit of national interest and state security in foreign policy formulation. The findings reveal that the Buhari administration recorded notable successes in strengthening regional cooperation against terrorism, enhancing Nigeria's role within ECOWAS and the African Union, promoting anti-corruption initiatives internationally, and attracting foreign investment in critical sectors. However, these achievements were constrained by persistent domestic insecurity, economic recession, declining foreign direct investment, border closure policies, and inconsistencies in policy implementation, which affected Nigeria's diplomatic influence and global image. The study concludes that although Buhari's foreign policy reaffirmed Nigeria's traditional Afrocentric orientation and commitment to regional peace and security, its overall effectiveness was limited by internal political, economic, and security challenges. The study recommends greater policy consistency, improved economic management, stronger institutional capacity, and a balanced approach that aligns domestic development priorities with Nigeria's foreign policy objectives to enhance the country's international standing and leadership role in Africa.

The word right in the noun form means that to which a person has a just and valid claim, whether it be land, a thing, or a privilege of doing something or saying something ¹Theconcept of Human Rights can be traced to the ancient Greece and Rome, where it was closely tied to the doctrine of the stoics, who held that human conduct should be judged according to and brought into harmony with the law of nature ²The law of nature are the universal moral standards that are inherent in human kind throughout all time and these standards should form the basis of a just society ³.Human being are not taught natural law but rather we discover it by consistently making choices for good instead of evil. The universal declaration of human rights by the United Nations in 1948 marked the birth of the recognition of human rights, since it declaration it has become fashionable for most countries of the world to entrench it in their national constitution.

This study examined the contribution of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to the development of Ubiaja in Esan South-East Local Government Area of Edo State from 1999 to 2023. Despite the execution of various international development frameworks aimed at alleviating poverty and improving grassroots infrastructure across Nigeria, many rural and semi-urban communities continue to grapple with developmental deficits. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the localized impact of MDG and SDG projects on critical socioeconomic indicators—specifically healthcare, primary education, water supply, and economic empowerment—within the Ubiaja community over a twenty-four-year timeline. The study adopted a descriptive survey and retrospective evaluation research design. The target population consisted of residents, community leaders, and local government officials in Ubiaja. Primary data were gathered through a structured questionnaire and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), while secondary data were sourced from local government development plans, project tracking reports, and relevant academic literature. A total sample size of respondents was selected using a multi-stage sampling technique. The quantitative data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics (mean scores, percentages, and frequency tables) and inferential statistics (such as Chi-Square or regression analysis) via the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), while qualitative insights were subjected to thematic analysis. The findings revealed that interventions under the MDGs (2000–2015) and SDGs (2015–2023) made notable contributions to Ubiaja, particularly through the renovation of primary classrooms, the provision of basic medical equipment to the General Hospital and Primary Health Centres, and the installation of solar-powered boreholes. However, the study established that the overall developmental impact was heavily constrained by systemic challenges, including poor maintenance culture, top-down project implementation without community consultation, lack of administrative synergy at the local government level, and project abandonment due to political transitions. Consequently, the transition from MDGs to SDGs showed a gap between global policy formulations and the actual realities of rural infrastructure sustainability in the locality. Based on these findings, the study concludes that while international goal-driven frameworks possess immense potential to accelerate grassroots growth, their success is ultimately dependent on institutional continuity and local accountability. Therefore, it is recommended that the Edo State Sustainable Development Goals office establish a strict monitoring and maintenance framework to protect existing infrastructure in Ubiaja. Furthermore, educational and political authorities should actively involve community stakeholders in the needs-assessment phase of future projects to guarantee cultural relevance, public ownership, and long-term sustainability