Decolonizing Theories of Regional Integration. Interview with Dr. Ernest Toochi Aniche, Federal University Otuoke, Nigeria

Author:

E.T. Aniche

Abstract:

Interview with Dr. Ernest Toochi Aniche, Federal University Otuoke, Nigeria

Ernest Toochi Aniche, PhD, is a Senior Lecturer and the Acting Head of the Department of Political Science, Federal University Otuoke, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. He holds BSc, MSc, and PhD degrees from the Department of Political Science, University of Nigeria with a specialization in International Relations. He is developing a new theory of African Integration (Post-Neofunctionalism), deconstructing the traditional Neo-functionalist approach. Dr. Aniche is a prolific scholar with over a hundred publications, including articles in dozens of the world’s most renowned African studies journals.

He has also published co-edited books and authored and co-authored chapters in books published by reputable publishers such as Routledge (Taylor & Francis), Palgrave Macmillan (Springer Nature), Rowman & Littlefield International, Lexington Books, and Oxford University Press. The highlight of his career was co-editing books with the African scholar legend, Professor Toyin Falola. He is on the editorial boards of journals and publishers, particularly Springer Nature (SN) Social Sciences, Ubuntu: Journal of Conflict and Social Transformation, and Cambridge Scholars Publishing.

In his interview, he explains what prompted him to develop his own theory of African integration, which would actually contribute to the development of the continent. He explains the reasons for the crisis tendencies of modern African regionalism, a manifestation of which is the creation of the Sahel State Alliance. He pays particular attention to the prospects for decolonizing social knowledge about Africa. He provides inspiring cases of those African intellectuals who were able to transform the study of politics from Political Science in Africa to African Political Science, as well as to decolonize African regionalism and African border and migration studies.

Keywords:

Africa, regional integration, regionalism, African theories, post-neofunctionalism, ECOWAS

DOI:

10.31132/2412-5717-2024-67-2-134-143

References:

1. Ake C. (1996). Democracy and Development in Africa. Washington, D.C.: Brookings Institution Press.
2. Ake C. (1981). A Political Economy of Africa. Lagos: Longman.
3. Ake C. (1982). Social Science as Imperialism. A Theory of Political Development. 2nd Edition. Ibadan: Ibadan University Press.
4. Aniche E.T. (2018). Post-neo-functionalism, pan-Africanism and regional integration in Africa: Prospects and challenges of the proposed Tripartite Free Trade Area (T-FTA). In: Oloruntoba S.O., Gumede V. (Eds.). State and development in post-Independent Africa. Austin: Pan-African University Press. Pp. 155–174.
5. Aniche E.T. (2020a). From pan-Africanism to African regionalism: A chronicle. African Studies. Vol. 79. № 1. Pp. 70–87. https://doi.org/10.1080/00020184.2020.1740974
6. Aniche E.T. (2020b). The Brexit: A massive setback for European Union and a lesson for African integration. Chinese Political Science Review. Vol. 5. № 1. Pp. 13–30. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41111-019-00142-0
7. Aniche E.T. (2021a). Institutions, inequality and crisis of developmental regionalism in Africa. In: Aniche E.T., Falola T. (Eds.). Rethinking institutions, processes, and development in Africa. New York: Rowman and Littlefield International. Pp. 211–238.

For citation:

Aniche, T.E. (2024). Decolonizing Theories of Regional Integration (Interview). Journal of the Institute for African Studies. № 2. Pp. 134–143. https://doi.org/10.31132/ 2412-5717-2024-67-2-134-143

Для цитирования:

Анише Т.Э. Деколонизируя теории региональной интегроации (Интервью). Ученые записки Института Африки РАН. 2024. № 2. С. 133–142. https://doi. org/10.31132/2412-5717-2024-67-2-134-143