CROSS-BOARDER TRADE IN WEST AFRICA: AN ASSESSMENT OF NIGERIA AND NIGER BY YUSUF DANIEL SHERIFF MATRIC NUMBER: 21PS1341 BEING A RESEARCH PROJECT SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE, FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES, PRINCE ABUBAKAR AUDU UNIVERSITY A

ABSTRACT This study examine Cross-Border Trade in West African: An Assessment of Nigeria and Niger. To guide this study, four research questions were posed. To guide this study, four research questions were posed. The study employed qualitative methods of data collection, analysis and interpretation of data from documentary evidence of secondary sources while the theory of Regional Integration guide the study. Findings from the study revealed that cross border trade between Nigeria and Niger Republic has numerous benefits derive and enjoy by these two countries. It enhances the economic growth which leads to the economic development as revealed in the study that, no country can satisfy the wants or needs of its citizenry and the aliens living within its territory, thus, the nations can take and utilise the “comparative advantage” of each other, through cross border and other forms of trade. It is noted that, cross border trade creates employment among the teaming youths of Nigeria and Niger Republic. The rate of unemployment is reducing drastically; the population will be productive in the future and consequently poverty will be reduced thereby increasing the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Nigeria and Niger Republic through cross border trade. Therefore the issue of cross border trade will ultimately increase per capita income of the citizenry of both countries. By so doing, the standard of living will be improved and sustainable development will be attained. The study recommends that there should be immediate setting up along these lines of formal exchange mechanism such as setting up of Banks and financial institution along the borders and the immediate coordination of trade and structural policies with a view to harmonizing objectives, priorities and produces. Since transaction of goods along the border involves large sums of money and Nigeria and Niger are two different countries therefore their currencies differs, therefore the setting up of banks and financial institutions would be of vital help to the people and the law enforcement