The Domestic Environment of International Relations in Nigeria

Abstract

This paper examined the domestic environment of international relations by conducting a study of the Nigerian state, under the Buhari administration. It investigated the nature of the linkages between the domestic environment and international altercations or cooperation. Where previous works concentrated on how the domestic setting influenced foreign policy-output and consequent international reaction(s), this contribution focused on how the domestic environment begot foreign policy reaction from the other actors on the international podium. The general objective of the study was to determine the character of the international relations which Nigeria’s domestic environment begets. A specific objective of the work was to identify some trajectories of these general tendencies under the Buhari administration. The study was framed on behaviouralism, bordering on man and his behaviour in states and organizations. The work adopted a qualitative methodology with secondary sources of data consulted. It found that Nigeria’s domestic environment has continued to weaken its giant-sized international capabilities. The country’s domestic impairments have consequently continued to beget for the African giant state, frequent scornful diplomatic relations from the other actors on the international scene. Corruption, egotism and venality of the leadership class remained the central contributory issues in the nation’s domestic derailments. The work recommends the institution of strong and altruistic leadership, as panaceas against disorder in the domestic environment of international relations in the case study state