The Implementation of African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and National Politics in Nigeria

Due to its size, economy and population at independence in 1960, Nigeria adopted Africa as the centre piece of its policy so as to provide leadership and encourage friendly association within the continent. This study interrogated the role of Nigeria's political leadership and local economy in the adoption of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework agreement. It adopted Leadership Personality Approach as the framework of analysis and relied on secondary sources of data retrieved from studies and government institutions. The findings revealed that Nigeria's economy is import-oriented, largely unstructured and exists significantly within an unclear national trade framework that has fuelled economic sabotage and wanton corruption. Thus, there is scepticism about the success of AfCFTA within the country. This study recommends a properly regulated and stable national trade framework that is capable of earning the trust of the business community to engage in trade within the continent.