Full Text Available

Note: Clicking the button above will open the full text document at the original institutional repository in a new window.

Towards an appropriate regulatory environment for special economic zones in Nigeria

This study set out to examine the regulatory framework of the underperformed SEZ structure in Nigeria with the aim of identifying the factors that precluded it from achieving its objectives and hindering its competitiveness in the global market. The main question to be addressed is what regulator...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Other Authors: Soyeju, Olufemi Olugbemiga
Format: Thesis
Language:English
Published: University of Pretoria 2017
Subjects:
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1867613458326880256
access_status_str Open Access
author2 Soyeju, Olufemi Olugbemiga
author_browse Soyeju, Olufemi Olugbemiga
author_facet Soyeju, Olufemi Olugbemiga
collection Thesis
dc_rights_str_mv © 2016 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria.
description This study set out to examine the regulatory framework of the underperformed SEZ structure in Nigeria with the aim of identifying the factors that precluded it from achieving its objectives and hindering its competitiveness in the global market. The main question to be addressed is what regulatory deficits are in the implementation of SEZ programme in Nigeria that have precluded it from achieving its objectives. In approaching this question, this study examined the rationale underlying SEZ initiatives globally and the policy considerations for implementing sustainable SEZ. The study found that these policy components include strategic planning, comprehensive legal and regulatory framework, policy considerations, effective institutional framework, incentive framework, and physical development and management. The study further examined the regulatory framework underpinning SEZ development in Nigeria against the backdrop of the policy considerations identified. Using China's experience as benchmarks for successful SEZ development, the study draws lessons that could be useful in enhancing the competitiveness of the Nigerian zone programme. Moreover the study argues that weak regulatory environment is largely responsible for the underperformance of SEZ programmes in Nigeria in delivering its objectives. Specifically, the study made the following findings: ? Weak institutional and regulatory structures, infrastructural shortage, lack of linkages to the wider economy and policy instability are some of the challenges of SEZs in Nigeria. ? The study found that there is swiftness on the part of the government to create zones suggests that the government views SEZs as catalyst for economic diversification and industrialization. However, further evidence shows that the regulatory framework underlying the existing zone programme is not only weak but limited in scope to drive competitiveness. It also appears that the government has not been actively committed in the zone programme. The inference drawn here is that the Nigerian government does not actively see SEZ programme as part of its development strategy. ? The Nigeria zone regulatory framework needs a comprehensive restructuring with a view to improving the competitiveness of the zones. Concerted efforts could still be made to enhance the performance of the zones by strengthening the regulator to make it responsive to its responsibilities and engaging policies The research therefore concludes that engaging the instrumentality of SEZs as an engine of economic growth and industrial transformation will only be successful where the regulatory environment is favourable, attractive and competitive. Against the background of these findings, the study recommends that the starting point is for the government to adopt SEZ programme as part of its development strategy. The study also propose that adopting a comprehensive regulatory framework that will strengthening the institutional capacity of the regulator, give clarity to roles of the different stakeholders involved in SEZ development, support dynamic policies, constant policy reform and incorporate modern practices in the SEZ framework can jumpstart the competitiveness of the Nigeria zones.
format Thesis
id oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/58738
institution University of Pretoria (South Africa)
language English
last_indexed 2026-06-10T12:36:28.181Z
license_str Other — see source repository
provenance_str_mv Harvested via OAI-PMH from UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository
publishDate 2017
publishDateRange 2017
publishDateSort 2017
publisher University of Pretoria
publisherStr University of Pretoria
record_format dspace
source_str UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository
spelling oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/58738 Towards an appropriate regulatory environment for special economic zones in Nigeria Soyeju, Olufemi Olugbemiga bar22oluwaseyi@gmail.com Oluwaseyi, Adetutu Tolulope UCTD special economic zones (Nigeria) Law theses SDG-16 SDG-16: Peace, justice and strong institutions This study set out to examine the regulatory framework of the underperformed SEZ structure in Nigeria with the aim of identifying the factors that precluded it from achieving its objectives and hindering its competitiveness in the global market. The main question to be addressed is what regulatory deficits are in the implementation of SEZ programme in Nigeria that have precluded it from achieving its objectives. In approaching this question, this study examined the rationale underlying SEZ initiatives globally and the policy considerations for implementing sustainable SEZ. The study found that these policy components include strategic planning, comprehensive legal and regulatory framework, policy considerations, effective institutional framework, incentive framework, and physical development and management. The study further examined the regulatory framework underpinning SEZ development in Nigeria against the backdrop of the policy considerations identified. Using China's experience as benchmarks for successful SEZ development, the study draws lessons that could be useful in enhancing the competitiveness of the Nigerian zone programme. Moreover the study argues that weak regulatory environment is largely responsible for the underperformance of SEZ programmes in Nigeria in delivering its objectives. Specifically, the study made the following findings: ? Weak institutional and regulatory structures, infrastructural shortage, lack of linkages to the wider economy and policy instability are some of the challenges of SEZs in Nigeria. ? The study found that there is swiftness on the part of the government to create zones suggests that the government views SEZs as catalyst for economic diversification and industrialization. However, further evidence shows that the regulatory framework underlying the existing zone programme is not only weak but limited in scope to drive competitiveness. It also appears that the government has not been actively committed in the zone programme. The inference drawn here is that the Nigerian government does not actively see SEZ programme as part of its development strategy. ? The Nigeria zone regulatory framework needs a comprehensive restructuring with a view to improving the competitiveness of the zones. Concerted efforts could still be made to enhance the performance of the zones by strengthening the regulator to make it responsive to its responsibilities and engaging policies The research therefore concludes that engaging the instrumentality of SEZs as an engine of economic growth and industrial transformation will only be successful where the regulatory environment is favourable, attractive and competitive. Against the background of these findings, the study recommends that the starting point is for the government to adopt SEZ programme as part of its development strategy. The study also propose that adopting a comprehensive regulatory framework that will strengthening the institutional capacity of the regulator, give clarity to roles of the different stakeholders involved in SEZ development, support dynamic policies, constant policy reform and incorporate modern practices in the SEZ framework can jumpstart the competitiveness of the Nigeria zones. tm2017 Centre for Human Rights LLM Unrestricted 2017-01-31T12:47:56Z 2017-01-31T12:47:56Z 2016 Mini Dissertation Oluwaseyi, AT 2016, Towards an appropriate regulatory environment for special economic zones in Nigeria, LLM Mini Dissertation, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, viewed yymmdd <http://hdl.handle.net/2263/58738> D2016 http://hdl.handle.net/2263/58738 en © 2016 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. application/pdf University of Pretoria
spellingShingle UCTD
special economic zones (Nigeria)
Law theses SDG-16
SDG-16: Peace, justice and strong institutions
Towards an appropriate regulatory environment for special economic zones in Nigeria
title Towards an appropriate regulatory environment for special economic zones in Nigeria
title_full Towards an appropriate regulatory environment for special economic zones in Nigeria
title_fullStr Towards an appropriate regulatory environment for special economic zones in Nigeria
title_full_unstemmed Towards an appropriate regulatory environment for special economic zones in Nigeria
title_short Towards an appropriate regulatory environment for special economic zones in Nigeria
title_sort towards an appropriate regulatory environment for special economic zones in nigeria
topic UCTD
special economic zones (Nigeria)
Law theses SDG-16
SDG-16: Peace, justice and strong institutions
url http://hdl.handle.net/2263/58738