Openresearcher

The mid-20th century, specifically after the end of World War II, witnessed large numbers of integrative economic organizations all over the world. For instance, the 1950s saw the formation of the European Economic Community which later translated into the European Union (EU) while the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) emerged in the 1970s with policies aimed at ensuring economic gains among members such as single market, free movement of people, goods and services across borders, common tariff, common currency and peace and stability etc. The study examines the EU and the planned British exit (BREXIT) with regard to policy implications for ECOWAS. This is important because the EU and ECOWAS shared a common goal of promoting political and economic interests among member states. It therefore becomes necessary for ECOWAS to learn from policy loopholes and complacency of the EU especially as it affects member state(s)economic and internal security problems which is common today among EU and ECOWAS member states. This problem and others could have been promptly addressed by EU, but failed to do so which prompted the BREXIT plan to enable it face its internal problems squarely. The study adopted historical and descriptive method in collecting data. The findings revealed that member states within EU and ECOWAS have benefited for many years in the areas of free trade of goods and services, freedom for its citizens to live and work anywhere and maintaining of peace among member states etc. The study also revealed that the recent happening in the world scene such as global economic recession, religious extremism, insurgency, terrorism, trans-border crime, refugee crisis and most importantly, immigration problem have greatly affected individual member’s internal economy and security. On this, the study recommended that ECOWAS should not allow it members to be at a disadvantaged position. Also, complaints that affect economic and internal security of its members within the community should be handled promptly to avoid European Union experience with Britain otherwise known as Brexit.