Buhari’s Administration and Review of Nigeria’s Foreign Policy: A Realist Approach

Yusuf Ibrahim Gamawa

doi:10.46281/aesr.v2i1.156

Abstract

There is no doubt that Nigeria’s foreign policy is indeed outdated. This is evidenced in the fact that we now live in different times. Though Nigeria’s role in Africa still remains significant, however, the time “Africa” was made the centre piece of Nigeria’s foreign policy, was a time when many countries in the continent were struggling to throw off the yolk of colonialism. And the adoption of such a policy was to stand in solidarity with those nations that were struggling to achieve or gain independence. And today, no single country in the continent is under foreign rule or direct control, and the times now call for a review of Nigeria’s foreign policy to reflect the nations current circumstances and realities among the committee of states across the globe. And there is no time than under the present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari. The Buhari administration must look critically and make an assessment of how and which way to direct Nigeria’s foreign policy. The responsibility appears to be binding on President Buhari’s administration having been neglected or not given the required attention by many previous regimes and administrations. The confidence of Nigerians in President Buhari’s vision, promises and commitment to change and general progress/ greatness of Nigeria seems to justify such expectations in the area of foreign relations and policy. There is need for Nigeria to be more involved in world affairs and to seek observer status in certain supranational institutions including the E.U, NATO and the SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organisation) in this era of globalisation, and the accompanying system of interdependence. This paper tries to provide a guide with regards to the review of the foreign policy of Nigeria by President Buhari to reflect the realities and challenges of the times in which we are living. The paper argues that Nigeria must be a global player despite being a regional power in consideration of its pottentials and position in the scheme of things, drawing lessons based on Realist theories in international affairs and conduct as well as the experiences of certain states like Japan as models for foreign policy development.

Highlights

The debate about Nigeria‟s foreign policy has been going on for quite sometime and many have argued that there is need to review Nigeria‟s foreign policy
Again if all states in Africa have achieved statehood, and statism is considered as the unit of analysis in the international system and states are considered the main actors; it goes to show that despite the solidarity existing among African states, the various states may have differed in their pursuits of interests in different places, and at the same time these states differ in their history, sizes, strength and resources, and as a result may have different goals and objectives as states and may for this reason differ in their approaches with regards to foreign policy or relations
Nigeria has not been deeply involved in the Middle East politics, has not shown interest as a either a mediator in Iraq or Syria, and has not joined the coalition against ISIS in both Iraq and Syria, and is as a result not a force to reckon with in the middle East region despite the importance it occupies in world politics. 5.Conclusion This paper has shown the necessity for the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari to review Nigeria‟s foreign policy from an African hegemon to a global player

Summary

Introduction

The debate about Nigeria‟s foreign policy has been going on for quite sometime and many have argued that there is need to review Nigeria‟s foreign policy. The paper argues that Nigeria must be a global player despite being a regional power in consideration of its pottentials and position in the scheme of things, drawing lessons based on Realist theories in international affairs and conduct as well as the experiences of certain states like Japan as models for foreign policy development.

Results

Conclusion