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Nigeria’s Foreign Policy Since Independence: Problems, Challenges and Opportunities

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Nigerian Foreign Policy 60 Years After Independence

Abstract

The main objective of this chapter is to examine Nigeria’s foreign policy since independence by analysing the problems, challenges and opportunities. It argues that the current state of Nigerian foreign policy is characterized by an unnerving for the citizens and foreign friends of the country. It identifies and discusses many instances to prove that the foreign policy is undergoing some troubling moments. The chapter also reveals that despite the availability of most elements of power such as population and resource profile, among others, Nigeria continues to perform below her weight in the international system. Dominant issues in Nigerian foreign policy include questions of role perception in global affairs, non-alignment, issue of national interest, good neighbourliness policy, African centrepiece, role and commitment to peaceful resolution of international disputes and conflicts, relationship with major powers and international organizations, amongst others. The chapter identifies lack of coordination, poor funding, failure of constant reviews of the foreign policy and poor reading of the extant international system as some of the notable causes of irritations with the conduct of contemporary Nigerian foreign policy. The chapter insists that the country has the potential to be a major actor on the international scene. To actualize this, it recommends that there is an urgent need to develop the necessary compass to separate the foreign policy from the current stress that has gripped it.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Ilorin, Kwara, Nigeria

    Hassan A. Saliu

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  1. Hassan A. Saliu
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Defence Studies and Documentation, Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna, Nigeria

    Usman A. Tar

  2. Department of Defence and Security Studies, Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna, Nigeria

    Sharkdam Wapmuk

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Saliu, H.A. (2023). Nigeria’s Foreign Policy Since Independence: Problems, Challenges and Opportunities. In: Tar, U.A., Wapmuk, S. (eds) Nigerian Foreign Policy 60 Years After Independence. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-06882-9_11

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