Nigeria’s Foreign Policy – SS3 Government Lesson Note (First Term)

Foreign policy refers to the decisions and actions taken by the policymakers of a state to pursue its interest within the global system. It can also be seen as a prudent course of action adopted by a state to achieve a certain national interest. The primary task of those involved in foreign policy is to promote the national interest of the country. The main target of foreign policy is to influence the decisions and actions of other nations in the international system.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

• define foreign policy;
• state the aims and objectives of Nigeria’s foreign policy;
• list the phases of Nigeria’s foreign policy since independence;
• describe the main features of Nigeria’s foreign policy under each government from 1960 to 1999.

What are the aims and objectives of Nigeria’s foreign policy?

The aims and objectives of Nigeria’s foreign policy were first identified by the Prime Minister, Alhaji Tafawa Balewa, and enunciated by Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo as follows:

1. To promote the national interest of the country and the citizens.
2. To promote friendship and co-operation among other nations.
3. To uphold the principle of non-alignment with any power bloc.
4. To show respect for the sovereign equality of all nations.
5. To defend the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Nigeria.
6. To defend and promote world peace.
7. To assist African states in search of solutions to their problems.

How has Nigeria’s foreign policy developed since independence?

Since independence, there has been a succession of military and civilian administrations whose foreign policy differs in terms of ideology, style and the personality of the leaders.

Nigeria’s foreign policy since independence is grouped into the following phases:

1. The Balewa Era (1960-1966)
2. Gowon Era (crisis and civil war period, 1966-1970)
3. Gowon Era (post-war era, 1970-1975; reconciliation, reconstruction and rehabilitation)
4. Murtala/Obasanjo Era (1975-1979)
5. The Second Republic Era (1979-1983)
6. Buhari/Idiagbon Era (1983-1985)
7. Babangida’s Era (1985-1993)
8. Shonekan/Abacha’s Era (1993-1998)
9. Abubakar Era (1998-1999)

Balewa era (1960-1966)

1. The government pursued the policy of non-alignment.
2. It was involved in the decolonisation process in Africa.
3. The government recognised Africa as the centrepiece of Nigeria’s foreign policy.
4. It broke diplomatic ties with France over the testing of an atomic bomb in the Sahara Desert.
5. It supported the expulsion of South Africa from the Commonwealth in 1961.

Gowon era (1966-1975)

• Nigeria’s foreign policy shifted from the West to the East.
• The administration applied the 3Rs (Reconciliation, Reconstruction and Rehabilitation) after the Civil War.
• The administration accepted the principle of non-interference in the sovereignty of African states.
• It played an important role in the establishment of ECOWAS.

Murtala/Obasanjo era (1975-1979)

• This regime favoured decolonisation and self-determination of African states.
• It gave its support to the struggle against the apartheid policy in Africa.
• The regime inaugurated a national agricultural programme called Operation Feed the Nation (O.F.N.) in 1976.

Shagari era (1979-1983)

1. The administration supported Zimbabwe’s independence.
2. This regime witnessed a lack of dynamism and radicalism in Nigeria’s foreign policy.
3. The regime was involved in financial mismanagement of the country’s economic resources.

Buhari era (1983-1985)

1. This regime expelled all the West Africans living illegally in the country.
2. Relations with Britain were adversely affected during this regime.
3. This administration maintained a strong anti-apartheid posture against South Africa.

Babangida era (1985-1993)

• This regime tried to bring Nigeria back to the forefront of international relations.
• This regime launched a crusade against the dumping of toxic and radioactive waste in the continent.
• It introduced economic diplomacy into Nigeria’s foreign policy.
• Nigeria was committed to a functional ECOWAS.
• Nigeria became very active in conflict resolution and peacekeeping operations. This led to the establishment of the ECOWAS Monitoring Group (ECOMOG).

Shonekan/Abacha era (1993-1998)

• This administration helped in restoring peace in Liberia.
• The regime adopted a confrontational posture with the international community.
• The regime was accused of abuse of human rights and, as a result, Nigeria was suspended from the Commonwealth.

Abubakar era (1998-1999)

• This administration adopted a policy of reconciliation.
• Those who were imprisoned by Abacha regained their freedom, while a transition programme was announced and carefully implemented.

Evaluation

1. State 4 benefits of interactions among nations.
2. State 3 negative effects of interactions among nations.
3. What is foreign policy?
4. State four aims and objectives of Nigeria’s foreign policy.

Classwork: As in evaluation.

Assignment

Describe four features of Nigeria’s foreign policy under the Balewa administration (1960-1966).