DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES

The world has been battling complex issues such as human trafficking and irregular migration. Nations on every continent have established measures to combat these societal issues. To fully understand the significance of these two concepts, it's essential to define them properly. Human trafficking can be likened to modern-day slavery, characterized by the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring, or receipt of individuals through force, coercion, deception, or exploitation, with the goal of exploiting them. This complex phenomenon involves various individuals, including traffickers, victims, and enablers, and can take many forms, such as forced labor, sex trafficking, and organ harvesting, with severe physical, emotional, and psychological consequences for its victims.

This study examines the role of women in the French Revolution, focusing on Olympe de Gouges and her fight for women’s rights between 1789 and 1793. While the French Revolution championed the ideals of liberty, equality, and fraternity, these democratic promises largely excluded women, relegating them to the private sphere. Utilizing a historical and analytical research design, this project investigates how female activists resisted this marginalization. The study specifically analyzes Olympe de Gouges’ seminal 1791 document, The Declaration of the Rights of Woman and of the Female Citizen, which challenged the male-centric biases of the revolution’s founding texts. The findings reveal that despite facing political suppression and ultimate execution during the Reign of Terror, Gouges and her contemporaries successfully laid the foundational framework for modern feminism, political inclusivity, and gender equality. The study concludes that women were not mere passive observers but active political agents who shaped the radical discourse of the revolution. It recommends a continuous revision of historical narratives to fully integrate and acknowledge the contributions of women in global political struggles.

This study examines the diplomatic, military, and strategic dimensions of the Soviet Union's intervention in the Nigerian Civil War (1967–1970). When the Eastern Region declared independence as the Republic of Biafra, Nigeria was plunged into a brutal conflict that quickly attracted foreign intervention. While traditional Western allies like the United States maintained a policy of neutrality and the United Kingdom initially hesitated, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) stepped in to provide decisive military hardware to the Federal Military Government (FMG). This research investigates the underlying motivations, geopolitical calculations, and systemic impacts of Moscow's alignment with Lagos.Using a qualitative historical methodology, this study relies on archival documents, diplomatic correspondences, and historical narratives to untangle the intricacies of Soviet foreign policy during this period. The findings reveal that the USSR’s involvement was not driven by ideological affinity or a desire to spread communism to Nigeria, but rather by pragmatic geopolitics. By supplying critical military assets—including MiG-17 fighter jets, Ilyushin bombers, heavy artillery, and ammunition—the Soviet Union sought to secure a strategic foothold in West Africa, exploit fissures within the Western alliance, and counter growing Chinese influence in the region.The study concludes that Soviet military assistance was a primary turning point that ensured the territorial integrity of Nigeria and the ultimate defeat of Biafra. Furthermore, the conflict created a unique ideological paradox where the Marxist USSR and the capitalist United Kingdom fought on the same side, demonstrating that Cold War alignments were often subservient to regional national interests. The legacy of this involvement fundamentally reshaped Nigeria's post-war foreign policy toward non-alignment and elevated the USSR's status as a major player in African affairs.

This study examines the historical evolution and operational efficacy of Amnesty International (AI) as a pioneer in the global defense of human rights. Founded in 1961 by Peter Benenson, the organization transformed global civil society by pioneering grassroots mobilization and impartial reporting. This research investigates how AI influenced international human rights protection from its inception through 2004—a critical period marked by the Cold War, decolonization, and the post-9/11 emergence of the global War on Terror.Using a qualitative historical methodology, this study analyzes archival data, organizational reports, and external treaty evaluations to assess AI's impact across three core areas: the liberation of prisoners of conscience, the global abolition of the death penalty, and the eradication of state-sanctioned torture. The findings reveal that AI's strict adherence to political neutrality and rigorous fact-finding gave it unparalleled moral authority, enabling it to successfully pressure repressive regimes, shape international legal frameworks (including the 1984 UN Convention Against Torture), and shift global public opinion. However, the study also highlights the strategic challenges AI faced toward the end of the 20th century, particularly as it struggled to balance its traditional civil-political rights focus with emerging demands for economic, social, and cultural rights.The study concludes that between 1961 and 2004, Amnesty International served as an indispensable catalyst for the institutionalization of global human rights. Its legacy confirms that non-state actors can effectively hold sovereign states accountable, fundamentally rewriting the rules of international relations in favor of human dignity.

The term “Coup d’etat” is not a new phenomenon in African politics, as it has been almost inseparable from the continent’s internal political affairs since the start of the post-colonial era in the mid-20th century. The world has recorded about 492 coup attempts (as at when this study was conducted) since 1950, and Africa has witnessed about 220 of them; making it the most of any region in the culture with about 109 successful.1 It can be said that as the ‘wind of self – determination’ swept through the continent bringing an end to colonial rule, along came with it a wave of coup d’etat. During the first three decades of Independence, Sub-saharan African averaged three military coups per year, with the first one taking place in Togo on January 13, 1963, when President Olympio was assassinated.2 According to former Nigeria President, Olusegun Obasanjo, “the anticolonialist struggles in Africa were waged as much to end foreign rule, racial bigotry and the associated indignities to extirpate illiteracy and all manners of backwardness. Yet, no sooner had colonial rule ended than our new (African) rulers set about converting the revolution into one of fire and thunder against their own people.” 3 1 Over the years, “Democracy Apologetics” have opined that the persistent occurrence of military interventions in Africa since the post-colonial era has had an adverse effect impact on the socio-economic and political development of the continent, claiming that the constant premature change of governments have hindered smooth continental socio-political and economic integration. Their opinion is in defense of the ideals of democracy, which asserts that the only legitimate avenue to attain political power is through the ballot box. They believe this is the only recognized way of remove an elected official from the seat of power; and this is the more reason they have criticized the whole idea of military takeovers or coups in general

This study examines the role of women in international politics through the contributions of Amina J. Mohammed and Obiageli (Oby) Ezekwesili, two prominent African leaders whose work has significantly influenced global governance, sustainable development, and policy reform. Historically, international politics has been dominated by men, with patriarchal structures limiting women's participation in political leadership and decision-making. Although democratic reforms, feminist movements, and international legal frameworks have expanded opportunities for women, gender inequality and underrepresentation remain persistent challenges in global governance. Against this backdrop, the study explores how Amina Mohammed and Obiageli Ezekwesili have challenged traditional gender norms and advanced inclusive leadership at both national and international levels. Using a qualitative and historical research approach based on secondary sources, the study analyzes their contributions to sustainable development, anti-corruption, economic governance, education, women's empowerment, and international advocacy. It highlights Amina Mohammed's leadership in the development and implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and her role as Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, as well as Obiageli Ezekwesili's contributions to transparency, public sector reform, economic development, and global advocacy through the #BringBackOurGirls campaign. The study finds that both leaders have demonstrated that women's leadership enhances effective governance, promotes inclusive policy-making, and contributes to sustainable development and international cooperation. It concludes that increasing women's participation in political leadership is essential for achieving equitable governance and addressing contemporary global challenges. The study recommends stronger gender-inclusive policies, institutional reforms, and sustained investment in women's political empowerment to enhance female representation and leadership in international politics.

This study examines the Asaba Massacre as one of the most tragic and controversial events of the Nigerian Civil War, exploring its historical significance, collective memory, and enduring impact on Nigerian society between 1970 and 2020. The massacre occurred in October 1967 when federal troops entered Asaba, a predominantly Igbo community in present-day Delta State, during the Nigeria–Biafra conflict. Hundreds of unarmed civilians, particularly men and boys, were reportedly killed after being accused of supporting the secessionist Biafran cause. Despite its magnitude, the event remained inadequately documented in official national narratives for decades, surviving largely through oral testimonies, community commemorations, and personal memoirs. Using historical and qualitative approaches, this study draws upon archival materials, eyewitness accounts, memoirs, scholarly publications, media reports, and commemorative records to reconstruct the events surrounding the massacre and analyze how memories of the tragedy have been preserved and transmitted across generations. The study investigates the socio-political circumstances that led to the massacre, the experiences of survivors, and the ways in which remembrance practices have shaped identity, reconciliation efforts, and historical consciousness among the people of Asaba and Nigeria at large. The findings reveal that the Asaba Massacre remains a significant symbol of wartime suffering, ethnic tensions, and the challenges of post-war reconciliation in Nigeria. The persistence of survivor narratives and memorialization efforts demonstrates the importance of collective memory in preserving historical truth and seeking justice for victims. The study further argues that acknowledging and documenting such traumatic historical events is essential for national healing, conflict prevention, and the promotion of historical accountability. The research concludes that the memoirs and memories associated with the Asaba Massacre constitute an important aspect of Nigeria’s civil war historiography and provide valuable insights into the broader consequences of armed conflict, state violence, and the struggle for reconciliation in post-war societies

The emergence and growth of social media in the international community have been nothing short of transformative, impacting various aspects of the international society. It has connected people, facilitated businesses, empowered activists, influenced political discourse, and even reshaped diplomatic practice. One cannot deny but agree that social media are becoming more and more relevant for contemporary societies, this is because they constitute the main sources of information for an increasing number of citizens. They have risen to become essential communication tools for governments, diplomatic personnel, international organizations, and all actors populating the current international system.1 States use it as tools to project power, by spreading manipulated information or fake news or to libel individuals or institutions working in crucial sectors. Both authoritarian and democratic leaders tend to utilize social media quite often especially in this age of advanced technology and interconnectedness.

This study examines the impact of the Okomu Oil Palm Company on the socio- economic and environmental development of Udo Community in Ovia South-West Local Government Area of Edo State from 1976 to 2015. Agriculture has historically been a major driver of Nigeria’s economy, with the oil palm industry playing a central role in employment generation, food production, and industrial growth. As one of the leading agro-industrial firms in the country, Okomu Oil Palm Company has significantly shaped the development trajectory of its host community since its establishment in 1976. The study adopts a descriptive and analytical approach to assess both the positive and negative impacts of the company’s operations on Udo Community. Findings reveal that the company has contributed to economic growth through job creation, infrastructure development, and corporate social responsibility initiatives. However, these benefits are accompanied by challenges such as land disputes, deforestation, environmental degradation, and the displacement of local farmers whose livelihoods depend on subsistence agriculture. The research further highlights the emergence of social tensions, including conflicts over land ownership, allegations of inadequate compensation, and resistance from affected community members and civil society groups. Despite these issues, there remains a gap in comprehensive academic analysis of the long-term effects of agro-industrial activities on host communities in Nigeria. This study concludes that while Okomu Oil Palm Company has played a vital role in stimulating economic activities in Udo Community, its operations have also generated significant environmental and social costs. It therefore recommends the adoption of more sustainable and inclusive development strategies, improved compensation mechanisms, and stronger regulatory frameworks to balance corporate interests with community welfare.

NIL