Impact of Cartelisation of Artisanship on Economic Activities in Edo State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study examined the impact of Cartelisation of Artisanship on Economic Activities in Edo State", directly focusing on Benin City, Uromi, and Auchi which represent each of the three senatorial districts in Edo State. This survey specifically evaluated five dimensions of cartel influence: product price control, cartel cohesion, members’ welfare, accessibility to regulatory authorities, and government funding of artisans. The survey adopted a survey research design focusing on quantitative approach, and a structured questionnaire was employed as the research instrument. However, due to the infinite target population size, the study applied the Cochran formula for minimum sample size determination which resulted in a final sample size of 600. The quantitative data collected was analysed using descriptive statistics and ordered logistics regression analysis. The findings from the study show that price control, members’ welfare, and government funding exert positive and statistically significant effects on economic commercial activity, whereas cartel cohesion and accessibility exert negative and significant effects. In addition, government funding emerged as the strongest positive predictor, indicating that public support may be more effective than internal cartel organization in promoting economic activity in Edo State. The study concludes that artisan cartels are not merely informal associations; they are economic institutions whose design and behaviour can either stimulate or constrain local development. The study recommends amongst others that the government should prioritize targeted artisan funding schemes through transparent grants, soft loans, tool subsidies, and skills development packages to boost economic activities.