Introduction

J. Jacob et Massoud Omar

p. VIII-XI


Texte intégral

1THE suggestion to produce this volume was first made in 1987 and actual work on the project started in 1988. At that time, all the authors (except one who had already returned to Nigeria) were registered for doctoral studies with French government scholarships. The idea was that since we were engaged in different fields of study and were thus in a position to generate a pool of information on wide range of topics, it might be useful to bring together our various specialities in order to reflect on issues and problems between our country, Nigeria, and the country of our doctoral studies, France.

2The themes treated here were thus not chosen using any scientific method. Each of the authors was simply asked to write on a theme with which he is very familiar or which falls directly within his area of specialisation. The themes chosen have political, economic, administrative, social and cultural dimensions. We can, however, separate them into two main groups. On the one hand, we have themes which relate essentially to questions of bilateral relations and ties on the political, economic, and cultural levels. The chapters that treat these themes constitute the first part of this volume. On the other hand, we have themes that have been chosen mainly for the purpose of making comparative and social analyses and are treated in the chapters that constitute the second part of the volume.

3In the first chapter, Joseph Egwurube highlights some of the problems that may arise when one undertakes a comparative examination of political systems that are institutionally, culturally, economically and socially different. More specifically, he examines the possibility and desirability of embarking on a comparative analysis of France and Nigeria. He identifies three major difficulties. These are related to the generation of data, the scale of variables to be referred to, and the differences of political norms and values. There are nevertheless common problem areas and issues which, the author argues, make comparative analysis worthwhile.

4The second chapter, by Jibrin Ibrahim, discusses the economic, political, and military dimensions of the French presence in Africa in general and Nigeria in particular. The paper highlights the paradox in Nigeria/France relations: the difficult political relations between the two countries have in no way affected the economic relations between them, the result being that the French have come to occupy an enviable position in the Nigerian econmy.

5In the third chapter, C. Odock retraces the history of relations between the European Economic Community and Africa and argues that France has been the major actor conditioning these relations. This is because France was the principal initiator of the EEC policy association with Africa. The different Lomé Conventions are shown to be a continuation of the relations between Europe and Africa which were and are still motivated essentially by French interests.

6Chapter 4 examines French export promotion strategies. After defining the key concepts, the author, C. Onukogu, focusses on the rationale for export promotion before going on to analyse the strategies adopted by France. He then briefly discusses the perspectives in the short term and in the long run. To conclude, he enumerates the lessons Nigeria can learn from the French experience and makes a few recommendations.

7The fifth chapter written by Adesegun Ojo, touches on the Nigerian and French perspectives on the South African question. It identifies the major elements that inform Nigeria’s foreign policy and sketches the types and levels of conflicts that have characterised Franco-Nigerian relations in view of the diametrically opposed positions taken by the two countries over the question of South Africa.

8In the sixth chapter, Olufemi Adelusi attempts to apply the concept of interdependence to the study of bilateral relations in general and Franco-Nigerian relations in particular. After reviewing the major definitions of the concept of interdependence, the author treats the economic and political dimensions of Nigeria/France relations. He concludes that there is economic interdependence between the two countries and that the good economic relations may, in the long run, enhance political relations.

9The last chapter dealing with general issues of bilateral relations and ties examines the state of Nigerian literature in France. The author, Haruna Jacob, reveals that French translations of Nigerian writing have been available in relatively large numbers for quite some time. These works are, however, not known among the majority of the French people. The chapter enumerates some of the factors responsible for this state of affairs and assesses the future prospects of Nigerian writing in France.

10Chapter 8 brings us to the first of the essays that contain comparative analyses. Joseph Egwurube deals with local government administration in Nigeria and France and attempts a comparative analysis of a number of issues. These include the national environment for the workings of local government in each of the two countries, the values that accompany the establishment of local governments in Nigeria and France to make and take decisions. The main thesis defended is that, on the basis of the experience of France and Nigeria, the notion of decentralisation needs to be rethought using variables such as the relative openness of the central government to local government and local political influences, the situational legitimacy of local government actors, the degree of interpenetration of levels of government, and the systemic roles offered the local government structures.

11Chapter 9 deals with political party corruption in Nigeria and France. The author, Jibrin Ibrahim, acknowledges that it is not easy to make a comparative analysis of the two countries at this level because of the differences in the nature and scope of corruption in the two societies. However, the limitation of the concept to political party corruption introduces a common denominator for comparison. After a general discussion of the issue of corruption in France and Nigeria, political party corruption in the two states is treated in detail. The major conclusion arrived at is that although the level of corruption is high in both Nigeria and France, corrupt practices are not as widespread in the latter as in the former.

12In the tenth chapter, Kayode Makinde deals with the subject of religion. He examines the different roles played by religion in Nigeria and France, these being countries which represent radically different religious models although they are both engaged in the search for a stable equilibrium between religion and political society. After discussing a number of theoretical models, the author touches on issues such as the separation of religion and the state, the geopolitics of religion in both Nigeria and France, and the politics of religion in Nigeria.

13The last chapter in the volume, written by Massoud Omar, examines the status of local government functionaries in Nigeria and France. This study shows that recent reforms in the two countries have removed the differences that used to exist in the career structures and conditions of service of local and state or national functionaries. However, some fundamental differences exist between the two countries in sectors such as the appointment, promotion, and discipline of local government staff. It is noted that there is undue influence by non-local centres of political power on the management of local personnel in Nigeria, there is a degree of local autonomy in personnel management in France.

14Four years have now passed since most of the chapters contained in this volume were written. Since then, there have been new development to reflect which there would have been the need to update the information contained in most of the chapters. We regret to say, however, that, for reasons beyond our control, we have been unable to do the necessary revision. Nevertheless, it is our hope that this volume will be a useful source book not only for scholars interested in Franco-Nigerian affairs but also for the Nigerian public at large.

15May 1992


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