An appraisal of Nigeria's foreign policy role in Africa's development, 2010-2022

Abstract

Nigeria's foreign policy is a strategic instrument intricately woven into the fabric of its national interests. Since its independence in 1960, Nigeria has steered an external strategy with the African continent at its nucleus, emblematic of its steadfast commitment to nurturing stability and prosperity across Africa. Through varying administrations, the Nigerian government has consistently upheld the core tenets of its foreign policy, steadfastly adhering to its Afrocentric orientation. This study examined Nigeria's foreign policy's role in the developmental trajectory of Africa during the period from 2010 to 2022. Employing a qualitative methodology, it harnesses secondary data from a comprehensive review of esteemed academic sources, including textbooks, scholarly journals, authoritative reports, and online repositories. Systems theory was applied to guide the research. The findings clearly illustrate Nigeria's pronounced contributions through its Afrocentric foreign policy paradigm – engendering unity, catalysing collaboration, nurturing peace and stability, and directing developmental resources to regions characterized by harmonious relations. Ultimately, this study illuminates the comprehensive spectrum of Nigeria's impact on Africa's developmental odyssey, ranging from active regional leadership participation to counter-terrorism endeavours and poverty abatement. Consequently, this research advocates for a sustained optimization of Nigeria's contributions, thereby fortifying internal tranquillity and urging a meticulous evaluation of the underlying socio-political tensions within Nigeria.

Nzewigbo A. A. (2023). An appraisal of Nigeria's foreign policy role in Africa's development, 2010-2022. People centred – The Journal of Development Administration (JDA), 8(3), 57-67. https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/jda.v8i3.2

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