Abstract

Abstract:

Nigeria became one of the largest cocoa producers in West Africa during the early twentieth century—a title that it continues to hold. Studies have examined the history of Nigerian cocoa farming and production, but not the sociopolitical nature of the economy of cocoa. This article helps fill this gap as it explores indigenous–migrant relations within the cocoa sector and the key historical developments to the country's land laws. In so doing, the article uses comparative data from conflict-ridden cocoa regions of Côte d'Ivoire and identifies factors that explain the more peaceful outcomes in Nigeria. This perspective helps provide new insights for understanding the past, present, and prospects for future conflict or cooperation in Nigeria's cocoa regions.

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