Nigeria’s Role in International Affairs – SS3 Citizenship & Heritage Studies Lesson Note (Second Term)

International affairs is how countries relate to each other and work together on global issues. Nigeria takes part mainly through the United Nations (UN), the African Union (AU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Behavioural objectives

1. Explain what international affairs means.
2. State why Nigeria matters internationally.
3. Describe the UN, the AU and ECOWAS.
4. Describe Nigeria’s roles in each of the three organisations.
5. State the benefits Nigeria gains and the challenges it faces internationally.
6. Suggest how Nigeria and young Nigerians can strengthen Nigeria’s international role.

What are international affairs?

International affairs means how countries relate to each other and work together on global issues.

• Trade: Nigeria signs a trade agreement with another country.
• Peacekeeping: Nigeria sends soldiers to help keep peace in another country.
• Voting: Nigeria votes on world issues at the United Nations.
• Diplomacy: Nigerian ambassadors represent Nigeria in other countries.

Why does Nigeria matter internationally?

Nigeria matters internationally because of its size, resources, strength, experience and culture.

• Population and economy: Nigeria has the largest population in Africa and one of the continent’s biggest economies.
• Natural resources: Nigeria produces oil, which other countries buy.
• Regional power: Nigeria is the leading country in West Africa, and smaller neighbours look to it for leadership.
• Military strength: Nigeria has one of the largest armed forces in West Africa.
• Diplomatic experience: Nigeria has been independent since 1960 and has taken part in many peace efforts.
• Cultural influence: Nigerian music, films and books are known around the world.

What are the UN, the AU and ECOWAS?

The UN is a world organisation, the AU is a continental organisation and ECOWAS is a regional organisation.

What is the United Nations (UN)?

The UN is a world organisation of 193 member countries, set up after World War II to prevent wars and promote peace, development and human rights.

• General Assembly: all member countries send representatives, and each country has one vote.
• Security Council: deals with peace and security, with five permanent members and ten rotating members.
• Secretary-General: the chief officer of the UN.
• Agencies: WHO (health), UNESCO (education) and UNICEF (children).

What is the African Union (AU)?

The AU is an organisation of 55 African member states that promotes African unity, development and peace.

• Origin: it replaced the Organisation of African Unity (OAU).
• Headquarters: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
• Peace and security: it works to end conflicts in Africa.
• Development: it works to reduce poverty and disease.
• Human rights: it promotes human rights and African solutions to African problems.

What is ECOWAS?

ECOWAS is the Economic Community of West African States, a regional organisation for economic cooperation and peace in West Africa.

• Members: it had 15 member states, including Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire.
• Withdrawals: Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger announced their withdrawal, which took effect in 2025.
• Headquarters: Abuja, Nigeria.
• Focus: trade, peace and security, movement of people and development projects.

How do the three organisations compare?

What is Nigeria’s role in the United Nations?

Nigeria takes part in the UN as a voting member, a peacekeeper and a partner in development.

• Member state: Nigeria votes in the General Assembly and speaks for African interests and global justice.
• Security Council: Nigeria has been elected a rotating member of the Security Council more than once.
• Peacekeeping: Nigeria has sent troops and police to UN missions, for example in Congo, Somalia, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Darfur (Sudan).
• Development work: Nigeria works with UN agencies on poverty, health and education.
• Leadership: Nigerian diplomats and officials serve in UN positions.

What is Nigeria’s role in the African Union?

Nigeria is one of the most influential members of the AU.

• Leadership: Nigerian diplomats serve in AU positions and push for African unity.
• Financial support: Nigeria pays contributions to the AU.
• Economic integration: Nigeria supports closer trade and development links among African countries.
• Advocacy: Nigeria raises African concerns at world forums and speaks against injustice towards Africans.
• Peace efforts: Nigeria supports AU peace efforts in conflict areas of Africa.

What is Nigeria’s role in ECOWAS?

Nigeria is the largest economy in ECOWAS and hosts its headquarters in Abuja.

What are the main ECOWAS roles of Nigeria?

• Leadership: Nigeria helps set the direction of West African cooperation.
• Free movement: ECOWAS citizens can enter other member states without a visa, for up to 90 days.
• Trade: Nigerian businesses trade with neighbouring countries, exporting goods and importing resources.
• Peace and security: ECOWAS can send a military force to stop conflicts in member states.
• Conflict resolution: ECOWAS mediates disputes between member states.
• Development projects: ECOWAS supports projects in roads, education and health.

How did Nigeria lead ECOWAS peacekeeping in Liberia and Sierra Leone?

In the 1990s, Nigerian-led ECOWAS forces (ECOMOG) intervened to stop civil wars in Liberia and Sierra Leone.

• Nigeria supplied most of the troops and a large share of the funds.
• The forces helped end wars that were killing thousands of people.
• Nigerian soldiers lost their lives in these missions.

How does Nigeria benefit from these organisations?

Nigeria gains peace, trade, influence and support from membership of the UN, the AU and ECOWAS.

• Security and peace: regional and world peace supports Nigeria’s development.
• Economic opportunity: ECOWAS trade lets Nigerian businesses sell across West Africa.
• International respect: active membership gives Nigeria a voice and influence.
• Development support: the organisations provide resources and cooperation.
• Diplomatic platform: Nigeria can present its concerns and defend its interests.
• Exchange: students, professionals and artists can work and study across borders.

What challenges does Nigeria face internationally?

Nigeria’s main international challenges are corruption, weak follow-through, limited resources and insecurity at home.

• Corruption reputation: corruption lowers other countries’ trust in Nigeria.
• Weak implementation: failing to carry out agreements damages Nigeria’s credibility.
• Limited resources: Nigeria cannot always pay for its full share of international efforts.
• Internal insecurity: terrorism in the north-east and conflicts in the Middle Belt limit how much Nigeria can help others.
• Debt and economic problems: these reduce Nigeria’s influence and contributions.

What has Nigeria contributed to Africa and the world?

Nigeria has contributed to African freedom, peace, culture and development.

What has Nigeria contributed to Africa?

• Anti-apartheid struggle: Nigeria strongly opposed apartheid in South Africa.
• Liberation movements: Nigeria supported freedom movements across Africa.
• Refugees: Nigeria has hosted people fleeing troubled African countries.
• Peacekeeping: Nigerian soldiers have served, and some have died, keeping peace in Africa.

What has Nigeria contributed to the world?

• Voice for developing countries: Nigeria speaks for Africa and other developing countries at the UN.
• Global efforts: Nigeria takes part in talks and action on climate change, health and poverty.
• Culture: Afrobeats, Nollywood films and award-winning Nigerian writers carry African stories to the world.

What could Nigeria do better?

Nigeria can strengthen its international role by fixing problems at home and keeping its promises abroad.

• Strengthen institutions: fight corruption to rebuild trust.
• Reduce internal conflicts: a more secure Nigeria can help other countries more.
• Invest in development: a stronger economy gives Nigeria more influence.
• Fulfil commitments: carry out international agreements Nigeria has signed.
• Train experts: prepare more Nigerians to serve in international bodies.

What is the cost of international involvement?

International involvement costs Nigeria money, and some citizens question whether the spending is fair.

• Costs: peacekeeping, membership fees, training diplomats and hosting refugees.
• Argument against: some Nigerians say the money should help poor people at home.
• Argument for: involvement brings respect, trade and security, and stops conflicts from spreading to Nigeria.
• Balance: Nigeria must care for its own people while it plays its international role.

What is the role of young Nigerians in international affairs?

Young Nigerians will shape Nigeria’s image abroad as diplomats, professionals, business people and global citizens.

• Diplomats and officials: represent Nigeria in the UN, the AU and ECOWAS.
• Professionals: doctors, engineers and teachers who serve abroad build Nigeria’s reputation.
• Entrepreneurs: business people represent Nigeria in world markets.
• Global citizens: everyone’s behaviour abroad reflects on Nigeria.

What can students do now?

• Learn: study the UN, the AU, ECOWAS and Nigeria’s role in them.
• Build skills: learn languages and gain expertise.
• Make contacts: meet people from other countries and understand their views.
• Show excellence and integrity: good work and honesty improve Nigeria’s image.
• Develop leadership: start practising leadership in school and community.

Evaluation

1. What is meant by international affairs?
2. Give three reasons why Nigeria matters internationally.
3. State the headquarters of the AU and of ECOWAS.
4. Describe two ways Nigeria contributes to peace through the UN and ECOWAS.
5. List three challenges Nigeria faces in international affairs.

Assignment

Write a short essay on how Nigeria can strengthen its role in the UN, the AU and ECOWAS. State one benefit Nigeria gains from membership and one role you would like to play as an adult.