DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL STUDIES AND DIPLOMACY

This study examines the role of festivals in fostering cross-cultural
understanding, cooperation, and development, with particular focus on the Igue
Festival in Edo State, Nigeria. Festivals are important cultural institutions that
preserve indigenous heritage, promote social interaction, and strengthen
communal identity. The study investigates how the Igue Festival serves as a
platform for cultural exchange, peaceful coexistence, tourism promotion, and
socio-economic development among the people of Edo State and visitors from
diverse cultural backgrounds. The objectives of the study are to examine the
cultural significance of the Igue Festival, assess its contributions to inter-cultural
relations and cooperation, and evaluate its role in promoting social and
economic development within the community. The study adopted a historical
approach of data collection, using primary which was gathered through oral
interviews and personal observations, while secondary data were obtained from
books, journals, newspapers, and internet materials relevant to the study.
Findings revealed that the Igue Festival plays a significant role in promoting
unity, mutual respect, and cultural appreciation among different ethnic groups.
The festival also contributes to tourism development, economic activities, and
the preservation of Benin cultural heritage. Furthermore, it encourages social
cohesion and strengthens relationships between local communities and visitors.
However, challenges such as inadequate funding, modernization, declining youth
participation, and poor government support were identified as factors limiting
the full potential of the festival. The study concludes that the Igue Festival
remains an important cultural heritage that promotes cross-cultural
understanding, cooperation, and development in Edo State. It recommends
increased government support, effective cultural preservation policies, improved
tourism infrastructure, and active youth involvement to sustain the relevance and
developmental contributions of the festival in contemporary society

This study evaluates the impact of the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) intervention in national economies, using Nigeria from 1985 to 2007 as a case study. This period represents a critical era in Nigeria’s economic history, characterized by the adoption of the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) in 1986 and subsequent macroeconomic reforms aimed at addressing fiscal crises, balance of payments deficits, and structural distortions. The primary objective of this research is to analyze how IMF-backed policies—specifically currency devaluation, deregulation, subsidy removal, and trade liberalization—affected Nigeria's economic growth, inflation rates, and social welfare. Utilizing a historical and analytical research design, the study relies on secondary data sourced from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), IMF archives, and relevant economic literature. The data are analyzed using qualitative historical analysis alongside descriptive macroeconomic trends. Findings indicate that while IMF interventions aimed to restore fiscal discipline and market efficiency, the stringent conditionalities led to severe unintended consequences. These included hyperinflation, a drastic decline in the standard of living, and the collapse of local industries, which ultimately exacerbated poverty levels. The study concludes that standard, one-size-fits-all IMF prescriptions often fail to account for the unique socio-political and structural realities of developing economies like Nigeria. Consequently, the study recommends that the Nigerian government prioritize homegrown economic frameworks, strengthen institutional capacity, and negotiate flexible credit terms in future engagements with international financial institutions to ensure sustainable economic development.

The study extensively examined the contributions of the Igbo ethnic group to the growth and development of Lagos State between 1970 and 2015, revealing that the post-Civil War migration became a decisive force in shaping Nigeria's foremost commercial capital. The research established that the Igbo presence is deeply economic and structural in nature, profoundly influencing regional commerce and urban expansion. As Igbo entrepreneurs channeled their resilience and capital into Lagos, their dynamism resulted in the establishment of continental commercial hubs, including Alaba International, Ladipo Auto Spare Parts Market, and the Trade Fair Complex, which generate substantial internally generated revenue and employment. The study provides a comprehensive understanding of how the Igbaboi apprenticeship system served as a unique indigenous model for human capital development and upward mobility, sustaining the economic proliferation of the community. However, it demonstrated that despite these indispensable contributions, the Igbo community's role is continually undermined by the indigenesettler dichotomy and exclusionary urban policies. The study recommended, among others, that Lagos State should formally recognize and co-manage migrant-built markets and establish Stronger frameworks for civic inclusion to reconcile economic indispensability with political equity for all residents.