NIGERIAN FOREIGN POLICY AFTER THE COLD WAR: DOMESTIC, REGIONAL, AND EXTERNAL INFLUENCES

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NIGERIAN FOREIGN POLICY AFTER THE COLD WAR: DOMESTIC, REGIONAL, AND EXTERNAL INFLUENCES

ABSTRACT:

Nigeria’s Foreign Policy after the Cold War offers a comprehensive assessment of the post-Cold War foreign policy of Nigeria, one of West Africa’s consequential actors in regional politic. Because foreign policy is an extension of the domestic policy of a nation, this study, while multifaceted, shares the premise that effective foreign policy must be built on a sound domestic base and democratic stability.

Nigeria’s imposing position in Africa is of long standing. The significance of its size, population, and economic potential had been recognized even before independence by the British, who perceived Nigeria as likely to play a major role in Africa; as early as 1964 Claude S. Phillips stated that “Nigeria was potentially the greatest power in Africa”.

INTRODUCTION

Nigeria, the most populous country and one of the most powerful states in Africa, is a Gulliver: and the Lilliputians have been Nigeria’s leaders, whose petty ambitions and often inhumane greed – like the creatures in Swift’s tale – have prevented a country of enormous potential from fulfilling its leadership aspirations and development potential. The giant of Africa was in danger of becoming the midget of the world. Africa’s Gulliver faced the threat of becoming the Lilliput of the globe.

A successful Nigerian foreign policy is dependent upon institutions such as the National Assembly, political parties, and civil society organizations, all of which need support and capacity-building. Only when such measures have been implemented and Nigerian leaders have met the other domestic, regional, and international challenges can Africa’s Gulliver start to fulfill its continental leadership ambitions in the post-Cold War period. Without a doubt, Nigeria needs to review its foreign policy goals and practices, both in its intra-African politics and in its global relations – especially in the context of the challenges posed by the paradoxes of globalization. Such an institutional review must be based, of course, on the country’s national interest.

One major consequence of the end of the cold war is the diminishing interest of foreign powers in Africa. The process of decolonization in Africa, on which Nigeria anchored its foreign policy, is now over. Nigeria is in search of a new global and regional role. While there is still some scramble among the big powers for Africa’s oil resources, the competition is far less intense, and presents Nigeria with an opportunity to expand its influence in Africa, particularly in the West African sub-region. Nigeria’s leading military role in ECOMOG is important. But it will not necessarily increase Nigeria’s overall influence in the sub-region. As a matter of fact, due to its economic weakness, Nigeria will find it increasingly difficult to act as the ‘policeman’ of the region. It cannot continue to rely on foreign powers for logistics support in its peace keeping role in the region. The increased military presence of foreign powers in the Gulf region, the under belly of Nigeria, is due to the inability of our armed forces to provide security in the region. Whatever Nigeria’s military role in the sub-region might be, this has to be complemented by non-military means such as the creation of a common regional economic structure, the expansion of regional economic structure, the expansion of regional economic opportunities, and the promotion of democratic values throughout the sub-region. Nigeria must accept that the promotion of democratization in Africa is in its long term national interests. But to achieve this objective, it must first put its own house in order.

Justification of Research

Since Nigeria became independent in 1960 its foreign policy, like that of most other countries, has witnessed successes and failures. Nigeria has been extraordinarily naive by restricting its foreign policy to Africa as its cornerstone. It was a laudable goal before the 1990s, but its evolution is needed for Nigeria to meet the needs of today’s diplomacy as we move into the next millennium. Africa as the centerpiece of Nigeria’s foreign policy no longer suffices; a broader perspective is necessary. Although Nigeria hasn’t got the means and might to have a global foreign policy, it should endeavor to take more into consideration current trends in international relations and diplomacy such as globalization, human rights, and democracy.

In the opinion of Ebenezer Okpokpo, (The Challenges Facing Nigeria’s Foreign Policy in the Next Millennium 2000) successive military dictatorships in Nigeria have used the Africa cornerstone slogan to lure compliant like-minded African regimes to support their unpopular regimes. This was the price Nigeria had to pay for the support of dictatorial African states. Now, we are a democracy and we have to speak out and stand tall within the international community. We no longer have to beg for support from other military dictatorships for limited gains within African diplomatic circles. Africa alone should no longer be the one and only reason for the existence of a foreign policy in Nigeria. None of the important international diplomatic actors, such as the USA, France and Great Britain, build their foreign policy on only one pillar. Nigeria shouldn’t be an exception if it wants to play a role in current high level diplomatic circles.

Aims and Objectives

The aims and objectives of this study are to examine;

1. The domestic factors that determines the formulation of Nigeria’s foreign policy.

2. Nigeria’s foreign policy since the end of the Cold War, and its impact on Nigeria’s relations with other African states as well as Super power states.

Scope

This project research work intends to be a theoretical presentation of the Nigerian foreign policy after the Cold War. Although, the end of the Cold War marked a distinct period in the international political system, yet it plays a significant role in shaping the foreign policies of African states including Nigeria. The Cold War ended in 1990 and that marks the starting point of this study since the period marked the end of the Multi-polar system and the beginning of the Bi-polar system as animated by the United States of America. This study terminates in 2007 as the foreign policy of Nigeria still remains the same as from previous times to the inception of the Obasanjo’s administration which spans from May 29^th 1999 to May 29^th 2007.

This study will cover the basic domestic factors that are perceived to be the determinants of formulating Nigeria’s foreign policy, also how Nigeria has interacted with her immediate neighbors and the rest of Africa being that Africa is the center piece of Nigeria’s foreign policy. Furthermore, this study highlights Nigeria’s participation in international and regional organizations as well as her relations with super powers like the US, Britain, and France. This would enable us to see the extent to which Nigerian foreign policy has developed and had evolved since the end of the Cold War.

TABLE OF CONTENT:

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study
1. Statement of the Research Problem
1. Objectives of the Study
1. Significance of the Study
1. Research Questions
1. Research Hypothesis
1. Conceptual and Operational Definition
1. Assumptions
1. Limitations of the Study