Advances in Economics and Business Vol. 11(3), pp. 31 - 37
DOI: 10.13189/aeb.2023.110301
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Exploring Informal Cross-Border Trade and Its Impact on Security Challenges in Nigeria: A Case Study of the Nigeria-Benin Border

Jiboye Temitope Favour ^*
Institute for Entrepreneurship and Development Studies, Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria

ABSTRACT

The study identified the variables affecting informal trade activities in Nigeria and the Benin Republic, as well as the effects of security issues brought on by such trade on the economy of Nigeria. The research also looked at how Nigeria's economy might be affected by the security issues caused by informal trading. These were done in an effort to correlate illegal commerce with security issues in Nigeria and the Benin Republic. In-depth interviews and the use of a standardized questionnaire were used to collect primary data. Data from 100 respondents were gathered using a purposive sampling approach. Namely, 50 Custom officers, 25 Immigration officers, and 25 Police officers at the Nigeria and Benin border. 50 unauthorized border merchants were randomly chosen for in-depth interviews in order to gather information. The main data also included the researcher's own observations. Atlas and SPSS were used to analyze the data. The study found that law enforcement officials thought that unless the government took action to address these issues, informal trade would have a negative impact on formal trade. The survey also showed that the respondents said that they are aware of illegal drug trafficking, car theft, armed robberies along the border and in the nearby area, trafficking in guns and people, smuggling in gasoline and crude oil, and vandalism. Law enforcement officials and the traders both agreed that Covid-19 came to Nigeria via certain traders who travelled to deal in Benin. The study came to the conclusion that there is a link between informal commerce and security issues in Nigeria and Benin Republic and that it is one of the main ways that insecurity is experienced in these two nations. Some recommendations were therefore suggested.

KEYWORDS
Informal Trade, Insecurity, Border, Smuggling, Drug and Human Trafficking

Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Jiboye Temitope Favour , "Exploring Informal Cross-Border Trade and Its Impact on Security Challenges in Nigeria: A Case Study of the Nigeria-Benin Border," Advances in Economics and Business, Vol. 11, No. 3, pp. 31 - 37, 2023. DOI: 10.13189/aeb.2023.110301.

(b). APA Format:
Jiboye Temitope Favour (2023). Exploring Informal Cross-Border Trade and Its Impact on Security Challenges in Nigeria: A Case Study of the Nigeria-Benin Border. Advances in Economics and Business, 11(3), 31 - 37. DOI: 10.13189/aeb.2023.110301.