NIGERIA’S FOREIGN POLICY BEFORE AND AFTER INDEPENDENCE (1914-2007): ISSUES, CHALLENGES, AND ACHIEVEMENTS

The history of Nigeria’s foreign policy could be divided into two distinctive eras, namely, the era before independence and the era after independence. Foreign policy is a global concept and there is virtually no nation-state or country without foreign policy. Before and after independence, Nigeria has been the chief architect and chief negotiator of peace throughout Africa. Consequently, Nigeria became the main operator of the engine room of African independent movement in the 1950s, and especially after its own independence 1960. Not surprisingly that after independence, Nigeria’s external relations generally has been characterized by a focus on Africa and the attachment to these fundamental principles and objectives of African unity and independence, peaceful settlement of disputes, non-alignment and regional economic co-operation and development. Thus, Nigeria’s foreign policy since independence in 1960, has consistently been guided by these same principles and objectives, especially the promotion of her national interest and the policy of afro-centricity vise-a-vise her capability to exercise hegemonic influence in the region. In carrying out these fundamental principles and objectives, while the main thrust of Nigeria’s foreign policy remained permanent and largely the same, from regime to regime, however, witnessed various adjustments and modifications, depending on the orientation of the political leaderships. Using content analysis, this paper examines the development of Nigeria’s foreign policy since 1914, after independence in 1960, till 1999 when the country was returned to the democratic rule of President Olusegun Obasanjo. It also identifies issues, strategies and constraints involved; the challenges and achievements of Nigeria’s international relations generally, from regime to regime, must especially after independence.