Foreign policy is essentially the extension of a country’s domestic policy externally. Nigeria has proved to be a worthy ally within her sphere of interest and influence in its external relations, be it on the African continent or at the global stage. At the core of understanding the international environment, Nigeria has had to engage in many bilateral and multilateral relations in the course of pursuing its foreign policy.
Since independence, Nigeria’s foreign policy has been hinged on three concentric circles namely, peaceful coexistence with its immediate neighbours (West African sub-region), Africa and the rest of the world. In Africa, Nigeria focused on the entire southern African continent at one point, as such effort was critical to the independence of Angola, Mozambique, Namibia and Zimbabwe. When Chief Olusegun Obasanjo was the Head of State, Nigerian workers and students paid money and made other contributions to support the liberation struggle. That gave rise to the Southern Africa Relief Fund. Nigeria also offered scholarships and accommodation to southern Africans who had to study in Nigeria.
The 1980s saw Nigeria pushing its foreign policy with a diplomatic edge hinged on economic commitment, readjustment and structure, including what Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi referred to as a “Concert of Medium Powers” which was distinct from the big powers. This paved way for the shifts and triggers of some of the current policies that we are witnessing.
Over the years, the country has worked around this, helping to place itself on the global map with more recognition and respect for its roles and contribution towards global peace and development. Nigeria contributed significantly towards peacekeeping operations by funding ECOMOG and supplying troops while also playing a major role in dismantling Apartheid in South Africa.
Some scholars would argue that foreign policy is not launched on the basis of expected benefits. The counter argument to that is, why expend so much resources in terms men and materials, without the accruing benefits? Africa as the centrepiece of Nigeria’s foreign policy no longer suffices.
Safeguarding Nigeria’s interest and maximizing the gains of its relationship with the outside world, as defined by the 1961 Vienna Convention, are growing issues of concern today. Those issues are now the contradictory nature in Nigeria’s foreign policies tipped in diverse rules of engagement and equal strategies for reciprocities.
Nigeria needs to have another look at its foreign policy which was last reviewed in 1986 at the Kuru Conference. This has become necessary to protect its national interest in the changing global community. We have to, not only project the country but also defend it.
In attaining Nigeria’s foreign policy objectives, both the domestic and international fronts will be taken into consideration. There is a nexus between domestic and external. If the strength of our foreign policy must depend on the domestic environment, then we should recognize that the conduct of our domestic policies is as important as what we want the outside world to believe. It is imperative that we review not only our foreign policy but the totality of our system politically, socially and economically. To be regarded as Africa’s authentic voice, there has to be consistency, coherence, and relevance in what we say and do. Our democracy must be measured as one that is inclusive, accountable, and takes the needs of the most vulnerable in our society, among others.
On the flip side, some experts have argued that external factors can equally play a role in advancing domestic interest. Where a country is not doing what is expected to do, the external environment can influence that country to do the right thing. Some world bodies act as a check on human right abuses and other forms of bad governance. For instance, the International Criminal Court (ICC) in Geneva protects citizens against human right abuse by various governments.
Nigeria should create and reinforce favourable international images and cooperation. Recently, the Foreign Affairs Sub-Committee of the National Assembly was engaged in conversations to review Nigeria’s foreign policy to reflect the changing dynamics globally. This should be done while putting into consideration current trends in international relations and diplomacy such as climate change, globalization, human rights, democracy, terrorism, racism, LGBT, non-alignment and reciprocity principles, and the unfavourable conditionality attached to the granting of visa to Nigerians, among others. Besides, it is said that neighbouring countries benefit more from the ‘big brother’ role of Nigeria. Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, lends his voice, “Our nation’s foreign policy should define the terms under which we engage the rest of the world to address the different manifestations of our shared challenges so that we can together survive this age…”
This time, content of Nigeria’s foreign policy has to be comprehensive in character, style, delivery capability and capacity. But comprehensiveness in foreign policymaking may not be realistic because the issues involved are indeterminable and unlimited in content and scope. Issues are evolving on a daily basis such as the recent change of government and other unfolding scenarios in Afghanistan. One can only review to the extent of responding to changing challenges as one may not always have the conceptual clarification of what to pursue and the strategy to adopt.
Nigeria’s foreign policy review exercise should involve stakeholders, not just the foreign policy division but also the three arms of government, the intelligentsia, civil society and more fundamentally, the Nigerian people in whose names both the government within and its agents abroad speak on behalf of.
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