1
Matthew Kirwin
April 12, 2004
Nigerian Shari’a and Its Effect on the Trans Border Political
Economy of Niger
Abstract
The application of Shari’a (Islamic law) in the Hausa region of Northern Nigeria
has dramatically changed the activities that people are allowed to participate in within the
region. In an attempt to eliminate what is determined to be societal ills, in 1999 some
Muslim dominated states in Nigeria adopted Shari’a and subsequently outlawed activities
such as drinking, prostitution and gambling in addition to less controversial habitudes
such as praise singing and integration of the sexes in public places. The neighboring
country of Niger, which has a large Hausa population as well, has, by contrast, been
reticent to base its legal codes on Qur’anic law, which is due in large part to the political
legacy of the French colonial government and the contemporary government’s stance
against religious fundamentalism. Niger’s reluctance to mimic Northern Nigeria’s lead
has rendered it a safe haven for Nigeria’s outlawed vices and as bars, brothels and
informal casinos were shut down in Nigeria, the same establishments were opened in
Niger. The political, social and economic effects of Nigerian Shari’a law on Niger have
been brought about by the close political and cultural linkages between the two countries.
Trans border relations between Niger and Nigeria underwent a dramatic change as a
result of the installation of Shari’a in Nigeria. In other words, Niger’s secular
government gave it an economic comparative advantage in regards to Nigeria. This
paper argues that Niger’s secular status has allowed these establishments to exist and that
the subsequent financial windfall has benefited members of the political and traditional
Page 1 of 22 
Convention