LANDMARK UNIVERSITY, OMUARAN

COLLEGE OF BUSINESS AND SOCIAL SCIENCES

DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS STUDIES

BSc Full Time Courses: 400Level

Course compact for omega semester 2016/17
SYLLABUS HEADING / BASIC DATA

1.0 Course Unit Title: Nigerian Business and Commercial Policy (2 Units)

1.1 Course Code: BUS427

1.1 Course Status: Compulsory

1.2 Weekly Study Hours: 2hrs per week for 15weeks (30hrs)

COURSE LECTURER: Dr Samuel O Aruleba (ABE Dip – Business Management;

Dip.M (MCIM); PGD - Marketing; MA - Marketing; PhD – Internet
Retail Marketing)
OFFICE LOCATION: New College Building, B324, 2nd Floor; Phone extension – 4747
Email: aruleba.samuel@lmu.edu.ng
CONSULTATION TIME: Tuesdays and Wednesdays (13 – 14:30pm)

SEMESTER: Omega

Subject Area: Marketing

1.6 Department: Business Studies

1.7 Faculty: College of Business and Social Sciences (CBS)

Become what you want to be.

2.0 Course Content

Part one: Nature of commercial policy - Concept, instruments and trade
agreement, free v restrictive trade policies etc (Pls. see 2.1 for full
details)
Part two: Issues in commercial policy – Global commercial policy analysis and
instruments; Investment and technology policy; export policy etc (Pls
see 2.1 for full details)
Part three: Applied and comparative commercial policy – Application of trade
control and regulation; State intervention in Nigeria commercial
policy; commercial policy of Britain, Germany, USA, India, South
Africa, Russia, and Brazil etc.
Part four: Draft of Nigeria commercial policy: An evaluation of draft of
commercial policy 2020

2.1 Course Description

The field of Nigerian Business and Commercial Policy is a dynamic discipline but,
which many regard as still engraving. Accordingly, the value of the knowledge
generated should be judged in terms of its ability to improve the effectiveness of
marketing practice and economic growth in the region. The Nigerian Commercial
Policy is influenced by many perspectives and is interdisciplinary, evidenced by
research ranging across numerous fields of study. Universities, manufacturers,
retailers, museums, advertising agencies and Government departments employ
market researchers. Given the diversity of the approaches and levels, it is important
that students are encouraged to apply the Nigerian commercial policy in growing the
economy rather than just synthesise information. This application of theory is of
particular crucial in modern-day business practice considering a major shift across
countries strengthening inward looking patriotism and protectionism. To avail the
students with how the Nigerian economy has been shaping up in recent times on the
throttle of the nation’s commercial policy implementation, the following topic areas
would be discussed: Meaning and concept of commercial policy; commercial policy
and trade agreements; free trade Vs restrictive trade tariff and quota practices; issues
in commercial policy that considers global commercial policy analysis and
instruments; investment and technology policy; export-import policy; commercial
policy and economic development – main criteria for import-export policy; reasons
for protection of indigenous firms in developing countries; agricultural policy of
Nigeria; new industrial enterprise and agro-policy structure in vision 2020. Also the
course would include Applied and Comparative Commercial Policy that discusses
application of trade control and regulation; state intervention in Nigeria commercial
policy and other nations earlier mentioned in 2.0 as above.

3.0 Course Justification

A dysfunctional policy at times is said to be better than no policy at all. And since
half bread is better than none, it is quite in order for students of marketing to have
the grip of what commercial policy in Nigeria offers in the present economic climate
and why such policy remains a substantial driving force to shape the economy for
sustainability and self-serving. Another perspective to the study of the Nigerian
commercial policy is for learners to acquaint with reasons the nation’s economy
remains meshed in murky water of degradation. When the commercial policy is
given a thorough assessment, the propensity to engineer an enduring solution that
would promote better business competitiveness within and across frontiers by all
stakeholders would become more appreciated. It is also important for learners to be
aware of the need for a developing country like Nigeria to have in place such
commercial policies that would protect the domestic industries against unfair
competition from more technologically advanced overseas firms. A measure of such
would not only serve the country well but also encourage the promotion of
indigenous technology and put the teeming human resources on a ladder of economic
growth and productivity. On the international platform, the course would enable
students to be familiar with commercial policies of many other nations globally and
which would further enrich their knowledge, an asset required for further self-
development and belief.

4.0 LEARNING OUTCOMES

On successful completion of the unit, students should have a more informed

understanding of the following key concepts and issues and be able to:

Define commercial concept as it relates to both local and international market

Environments; Familiar with objectives of commercial policy; Examine and evaluate
different policies notably adopted by both Developing and advanced economies;
appreciate what strategic commercial policy is, and its value to business
organisations; Discuss in detail Tariff Policy (mainly exports and imports tariffs) and
Non-tariff restrictions: quantitative restrictions (Import and Export Quotas,
Differential Exchange Rates etc. and other restrictions such as Embargo, Self-
restraint, and Buy Acts. Students would also benefit from the awareness and
understanding of subsidies and instruments that promote certain industries such as
when the state subsidise certain industries which replace imports or increase exports.
Governments can also give technological support and promote international
commercial relations.

5.0 TRANSFERABLE SKILLS

The unit will develop key transferable skills to assist students with their learning.
This student-oriented approach will help develop self-confidence through oral and
written communication and personal presentations. They will be required to
participate in group activities and share information. Analytical thinking and
problem solving skills will be developed through application of theory to topical and
key issues relevant in the market place. Time and self-management will be
addressed through formative assessment in weekly seminars where students are
expected to present theoretical models and apply those using relevant examples. In
this environment students will also learn from one another. The purpose is to ensure
students apply their marketing knowledge and go beyond merely synthesising
information. A small group assignment forms part of the formative learning process
where students are expected to work together and communicate succinctly and
clearly in a written group project.

6.0 TEACHING AND LEARNING PATTERN

The course material will be mainly delivered through lectures, with the focus on
student- oriented learning. The aim of the lectures is to disseminate the general body
of knowledge, subsequent seminars are student-oriented with individual students
presenting a paper and leading a group discussion. This is an appropriate method for
their intellectual growth and development.
7.0 METHOD OF GRADING

The unit has three assessment points organised to ensure all learning outcomes are
covered. The course is weighted 70% examination and 30% continuous assessment.

Part One: CA1 7%

Part Two: CA2 15%

Part Three CA3 8%

Part Four: Final Examination 70%

Part Four: Total Score 100%

At the end of the semester the students will be required to sit a three hour
examination on questions related to the indicative content of the syllabus

8.0 Nigerian Business and Commercial Policies: Lecture Content

Omega Semester 2: 2016/17

Lesson Plan
Time Content Objective Teacher/Trainer Resources Continuous
activity Assessment
Week Nature of Learners to gain Teaching, Prepared Probing
1 commercial better knowledge Communicating, lecture questions
policy and discussing topic note; and answers
understanding of issues, and Writing on to students
the effects of responding to the board;
various students’ use of
commercial interjecting Overhead
policies on inquiries Projector
businesses across “OP”
nations
Week Instrument of To engage Teaching and Asking
2 commercial learners in the discussing the Lecture learners
policy and exploration of topic areas note questions
trade tariff and non- and seeking
agreement tariff policies as clarifications
measures to
promote local
businesses
Week Global To acquaint Teaching and Lecture Question
3 commercial students with offering response note and answer /
policy analysis after-effect to questions Feedback
progress or
otherwise of
 commercial
policies
implementation
in various
countries
Week CLASS Ascertaining Skills instruction Refs to Inspection
4 SEMINAR students’ previous and
knowledge of lecture moderation
previous topics notes
Week Issues in Students being Teaching and Lecture Reflection
5 commercial appreciative of discussing the Note on learning
policy the impact of topic areas process and
Investment and technology on the monitoring
Technology economic growth
Policy of nations
Week Export-Import Would enable Teaching, and Lecture Questions
6 Policy students advising Note and
appreciate the discussion /
strategic feedback
importance of
specific trade
policies across
nations
Week Commercial Learners would Teaching and Lecture Q and A
6 Policy and have known explaining Note
Economic about market topical issues
Development expansion,
Main criteria acquisition of
for export- new technology,
import policy job creation and
employment
opportunity,
boosting foreign
exchange
earnings etc
Week CLASS To ascertain Skills instruction Refs to Inspection
7 SEMINAR students’ previous and
understanding of notes moderation /
previous lessons Class Test
Week Reasons for Enable students Teaching Lecture Q and A
8 protection in to know workable Note
Developing policies that drive
countries forward domestic
industrial
development
Week Agricultural Students would Teaching and Lecture Q and A
9 Policy of be able to offering Note
Nigeria acquaint with examples where
initiatives that mechanised
promote Agric farming has
 and increase food added value to
production for national integrity
self sufficiency
Week Industrial Policy Students would Teaching UJMSS and Homework /
10 of Nigeria be able to know Lecture Q&A
Inward/ the full benefits Note
Outward looking of comprehensive
Nigeria Industrial
Policy
Week New Industrial Been able to Teaching Lecture Discussion
11 enterprise and understand why Note
agro-policy more proactive
structure in industrial policies
vision 2020 are needed to
actualise the
vision 2020
Week Commercial To ensure Teaching and Lecture Discussion /
12 Policy of India, students have the referrals to Note Q&A
South Africa, ability to discover contemporary
Britain and the regions that trade and
USA best present bilateral
Nigeria with agreements with
comparative trade Nigeria
opportunities
Week Revision To ensure Glossing over Ref to Voluntary
s 13 – lessons students are well certain topics relevant contributions
14 prepared for their previously taught texts and by students
exams journals
Week EXAM To examine Invigilating Exam Responding
15 students on all students’ exam question to students'
topics taught for by ensuring papers and inquiries
the semester compliance with answer throughout
guiding rules scripts the exam
timespan

*UJMSS = Dr Mike Duru, Universal Journal of Management and Social Science; Vol 2, No.7;
July 2012. New Challenges for Industrial Policy in Nigeria

9.0 INDICATIVE READING LIST

Arti Grover Goswami, Aaditya M and Sebastian S, Exporting Services “A Developing Country
Perspective”
David Hanson, (2010), Limits to Free Trade, Non-Tariff Barriers in the European Union, Japan
and United States, Edward Elgar Publishing, Inc. USA
Edward Elgar, (2012), “Competition Policy and Regional Integration in Developing
Countries”, Edward Elgar Publishing Limited, Cheltenham, UK, ISBN – 9781 78100 4302
Nebo G.N. (1999), Nigerian Commercial Policies, Immaculate Publications
Richard E Baldwin and Joseph F Francois (2011), Dynamic Issues in Commercial Policy
Ananlysis, Paperback ISBN: 9780521159517

Journals
*UJMSS = Dr Mike Duru, Universal Journal of Management and Social Science; Vol 2, No.7;
July 2012. New Challenges for Industrial Policy in Nigeria
Federal Ministry of Industry (1989), Industrial Policy of Nigeria: Targets, Policies, Incentives,
Guidelines and Institutional Framework

Students are strongly recommended to read relevant journals and other marketing
related publications for recent articles on Nigeria Foreign Trade. Quality newspapers
and magazines contain useful information on Nigeria Commercial Policy.

Internet Sources:
ABUJA, Nigeria, 26th February 2015, African Press Organisation (APO)/ - The
efforts of the Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM Bank)
(http://neximbank.com.ng)

HOD’s COMMENTS:
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