DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES

The term “Japa Syndrome” has been used to describe the growing attitude or trend of people leaving their home countries, especially from Africa, to re-settle in other parts of the world. This phenomenon is not unique to Africa, as migration has been part of human history for centuries in many regions.¹ For example, the Jewish people experienced large- scale migration long ago, moving from their homeland to different continents and countries. This movement was not random but happened in large movements and also at certain times in history. The effects of such migrations can be seen even today, such as in the ongoing disputes over land between the Jews and Palestinians, a conflict that has led to numerous wars over time, including the most recent outbreak in May 2021, which even attracted the involvement of other Islamic neighboring Countries such as Hezbollah from Lebanon.²

The #EndSARS protests of 2020 in Nigeria marked a significant moment in the country’s contemporary socio-political history, characterized by widespread youth-led demonstrations against police brutality and the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). This study examines the impact of social media on the mobilization, coordination, and visibility of the #EndSARS protests. Drawing on secondary data from news reports, online posts, and existing literature, the study explores how platforms such as Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp were used to disseminate information, share eyewitness accounts, raise funds, and coordinate protest activities in real time. Findings indicate that social media played a critical role in amplifying the movement beyond physical locations, enabling rapid information flow and fostering solidarity among participants across different regions and the diaspora. Hashtags such as #EndSARS and #SARSMustEnd served as digital tools for awareness creation and agenda setting, while also attracting global attention and support. However, the study also highlights challenges, including the spread of misinformation, government responses such as internet restrictions in certain areas, and the use of social media surveillance. The study concludes that social media significantly shaped the dynamics of the #EndSARS protests by enhancing civic engagement and political participation among Nigerian youths. It recommends the responsible use of digital platforms for activism while encouraging policy reforms that protect freedom of expression and digital rights in Nigeria.

NIL

This study examines the economic impact of fishing on the Ilaje people, with particular reference to Ayetoro Community between 2015 and 2025. Fishing has remained the primary occupation and source of livelihood for the people of Ayetoro, contributing significantly to household income, employment generation, food security, and local economic development. The study investigates the extent to which fishing activities have influenced the socio-economic well-being of residents, while also assessing the challenges confronting the sector during the period under review. The research adopts a historical and descriptive approach, utilizing both primary and secondary sources of data. Information was gathered through interviews with fishermen, fish traders, community leaders, and relevant stakeholders, while published materials, government reports, and academic literature provided supplementary data. Findings reveal that fishing has played a vital role in sustaining the local economy by creating employment opportunities and supporting related businesses such as fish processing, transportation, and marketing. However, the industry has faced several challenges, including environmental degradation, declining fish stocks, inadequate modern fishing equipment, climate-related factors, and limited governmental support. The study concludes that despite these challenges, fishing remains a crucial economic activity in Ayetoro Community and continues to shape the livelihoods of the Ilaje people. It recommends increased investment in modern fishing technologies, improved environmental protection measures, access to credit facilities, and the formulation of policies aimed at promoting sustainable fisheries development. These measures would enhance productivity, improve living standards, and ensure the long-term viability of fishing as a source of economic growth in the community.

Malaria remains a monumental public health challenge in Nigeria, accounting for a disproportionate share of global cases and deaths. This study examines the critical impact of the World Health Organization (WHO) in driving malaria control and strategic eradication efforts within the country. Utilizing a qualitative, descriptive research design, this paper analyzes secondary data from official WHO global reports, federal health ministries, and empirical public health literature. The study finds that the WHO's interventions—specifically through technical guidance, resource mobilization, universal distribution of Insecticide-Treated Nets (ITNs), and the standardization of targeted diagnostic and treatment protocols (such as ACTs and Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention)—have heavily transformed Nigeria's medical landscape. These collaborative efforts contributed to a decline in national malaria prevalence from 42% in 2010 to 15% by 2025. Despite these substantial gains, the ideal of complete "eradication" faces aggressive headwind from structural constraints, including local healthcare infrastructure deficits, funding shortages, and rising insecticide and drug resistance. The study concludes that while the WHO has laid an invaluable blueprint for containment, achieving permanent elimination requires the Nigerian government to match global technical frameworks with intensive domestic financing, localized environmental engineering, and rigid political willpower.

Decolonization is a fundamental historical process through which formerly colonized nations attain political independence and sovereignty. Nigeria, as a British colony until October 1, 1960, experienced a unique decolonization process shaped by nationalist movements, colonial administrative policies, and geopolitical influences. The transition to independence was peaceful but marked by ethnic tensions and political restructuring.¹ The process of decolonization in Nigeria marks a critical period in the country's history, during which colonial rule gave way to self-governance and the formation of a sovereign nation. This chapter introduces the study by providing the necessary background, defining its objectives, and establishing its academic relevance. The decolonization of Nigeria represents one of the most significant historical developments of the 20th century in West Africa. This chapter introduces the study by exploring the complex and multi faceted process through which Nigeria transitioned from colonial rule to an independent sovereign state. Decolonization is not merely the formal act of gaining independence; it encompasses a broader political, economic, social, and psychological transformation that involves dismantling the structures and legacies of colonialism and constructing new systems grounded in indigenous authority, identity, and aspirations. British colonialism profoundly affected Nigeria's political, economic, and social structures. From the amalgamation of Northern and Southern protectorates in 1914 to the implementation of indirect rule and the development of Western-style education, colonial rule shaped the framework within which Nigerians later demanded self-governance. The 1940s and 1950s witnessed the rise of political parties such as the Nigerian Youth Movement (NYM), the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC), the Action Group (AG), and the Northern People's Congress (NPC), which played crucial roles in mobilizing the populace and negotiating Nigeria's path to independence. Although Nigeria's independence on October 1, 1960, marked the official end of colonial
rule, the decolonization process did not conclude with the lowering of the Union Jack. The post-independence period exposed unresolved colonial legacies and challenges, such as regionalism, ethnic tensions, and uneven development. Thus, a historical analysis of Nigeria's decolonization must also consider the continuity of colonial structures and the extent to which Nigerians were truly free to shape their own destiny.

In many African societies, traditional institutions are integral to governance, community development, and cultural identity. Despite the dominance of Western democratic systems introduced during colonial rule, traditional authority structures such as monarchies, chieftaincies, and councils of elders-have remained resilient, adapting to socio-political changes while maintaining their relevance in the contemporary era. For instance, N. C. Okonkwo points out in his study on the Warri Kingdom that traditional institutions serve as custodians of indigenous governance and facilitators of communal development, often filling the gaps left by formal state systems. In Nigeria, traditional rulers such as the Oba, Emir, or Olu have historically played a significant role in not just governance but also in economic regulation and local resource management. According to H. Obi and F. Asiazobor, these institutions have evolved into hybrid structures that engage both with the grassroots and state-level actors in pursuit of development.2 Their influence spans land allocation, dispute resolution, youth mobilization, and even mediation between communities and corporate or government
actors.