Abstract
The study is an assessment of Nigeria’s foreign policy under
the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan in relation with ECOWAS. This
work is necessitated on the premise that no state in the modern times can avoid
involvement in international affairs, and this involvement must be systematic
and based on certain principles. The
objective of this work was to determine if Nigeria’s policy under the period in
view had significant impact on Nigerian global image. Data for this study was
obtained from secondary sources; the expose facto
research design was adoptedwhile the qualitative descriptive method was adopted to
analyze data. The concentric circles theory formed a framework of analysis. The
research unfolded findings that Nigerian foreign policy under Jonathan’s
administration had less positive impact on Nigeria’s global image; internal
challenges were responsible for poor implementation of policies. The study
recommended the re-implementation of Nigeria’s vital interest, which involves
the security of lives and properties, protection of her society and defense of
independence. Nigerians in Diaspora must be recognized and encouraged because
they play a permanent role in advancing the foreign policies of the country.
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
Title
page
Table
of Contents
Abstract
CHAPTER
ONE – INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
1.2 Statement of the Problem
1.3 Research Questions
1.4 Objective of the Study
1.5 Scope of the study
1.6 Limitation of the Study
1.7 Significance of the study
1.8 Hypotheses
CHAPTER
TWO – REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
2.1 Conceptual Clarification
2.1.1 Foreign Policy
2.1.2 National Interest
2.1.3 National Development
2.2 Historical Review of Nigeria’s Foreign
Policy
2.2.1 First Republic
2.2.2 Second Republic
2.2.3 Military Rule
2.2.4 Fourth Republic (Olusegun Obasanjo)
2.2.5 Yar’Adua/Jonathan Administration (2007-2014)
2.3 Regional Analysis/Asia
2.3.1 The US/EU
2.3.2 The Middle East
2.4 A Critical Analysis of Africa as
Centerpiece of Nigeria’s
Foreign Policy
2.4.1 Nigeria’s Foreign Policy Today
2.4.2 Ties with Multilateral Financial Institution
2.5 Domestic Factors Influencing Nigeria’s
Foreign Policy
2.6 Nexus between Foreign Policy,
International Image and National Transformation
2.6.1 The Problem with Nigeria’s Foreign Policy
2.6.2 Leadership and Nigeria’s Foreign Policy
2.6.3 Actors in Nigeria’s Foreign Policy
2.7 Gap in Literature
CHAPTER THREE –
THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK AND
METHODOLOGY
3.1 Theoretical Framework
3.2 Research Design
3.3 Method of Data Collection
3.4 Method of Data Analysis
CHAPTER
FOUR – OIL AS THE CENTRE-PIECE OF NIGERIA-UNITED STATES ECONOMIC RELATION
4.1 Positive Impacts Of Nigeria’s Foreign
Policy Under President Good Luck Jonathan
4.2 ECOWAS
has Positively Enhanced Nigerians
Economic Development
4.3 Challenges in implementing the Nigeria's
Foreign policy under Goodluck Jonathan's administration
CHAPTER FIVE –
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSION
AND
RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Summary of Findings
5.2 Conclusion
5.3 Recommendations
References
CHAPTER
ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
All
states have some kind of relations with one another. No state in the modern
times can avoid the involvement in the international affairs, and this
involvement must be systematic and based on certain principles. In other words,
states have to behave with one another in a particular manner. The framing of
the foreign policy is, therefore, an essential activity of a modern state, for
a state without foreign policy is like a ship without rider which may drift aimlessly
and may be swept away by a storm of current events. What a state intends to do
is defined by its interests; what is actually able to achieve is a function of
its military and economic capability as well as the quality of its diplomacy.
The history of Nigerian foreign policy since 1960 has constantly been changing,
though the principles guiding her foreign relations remain the same (Gambari,
1989). Nigerian leaders are largely responsible for these unstable external
relations. Apparantly, Nigeria’s foreign policy is deeply rooted in Africa with
strategic emphasis on political and economic cooperation, peaceful dispute
resolution, and global nonalignment (Gambari, 1989). Nigerian leaders also have
their attention fixed on the successful implementation of these principles.
However, the influence of individual personality on Nigeria’s relations with
other countries cannot be totally ignored as different leaders adopt different
styles in conducting external relations.
Examining
the personality of the leader both at the theoretical and practical levels is
therefore important to the understanding of Nigeria’s foreign policy. This is
largely due to the fact that critical historical analysis revealed that the
country’s foreign policy is synonymous to personality of the leader on board at
any given time. However, it is important to accentuate that Nigeria’s foreign
policy started at moderate level since independence in 1960. This may be
largely due to smooth power relinquishing that occurred between Nigeria and the
then colonial master (Britain). The crux of the matter remains that, there was
nothing in the pattern and traditions of Nigerian foreign policy from
independence to the emergence of Sani Abacha as Head of state to suggest that
the country would become a pariah state in the international system. Even the
speech of the Prime Minister, Tafawa Balewa on Independence Day October 1, 1960
seemed to indicate that Nigeria was properly focused and her mind set firmly
directed at the goal of her foreign policy. He declared thus;
I
have indeed very confident that, based on the happy experience of a successful
partnership our future relations with the United Kingdom will be more cordial
than ever, bound together as we shall be in the common wealth by a common
allegiance to her majesty Queen Elizabeth whom we proudly acclaim as Queen of
Nigeria (hence) we are grateful to the British Officers who we have known,
first as masters and then as leaders and finally as partners but always as
friends (Balewa, 1960:26).
Immediately after, on October 7, 1960, Nigeria
registered herself as the 99th member of the United Nations thereby becoming a
recognized member of the international community. By her resources and even
size, Nigeria was at the fore-front of Africa, providing with others, the
necessary leadership and to fight the clutches of colonialism, neo-colonialism,
underdevelopment, poverty, famine and racial discrimination. In fairness, some
leaders gave the nation its right of place.
President
Olusegun Obasanjo, at inauguration in May, 1999, inherited a nation with a
battered image and without credibility externally. In his determination to
regain Nigeria’s lost glory and re-integrate it into the civilized world, he
engaged in a deft shuttle diplomacy across the major capitals of the globe. It
is in view of the above imperative that the study is set to examine the gains
and challenges of Obasanjo’s administration on Nigeria foreign policy in the
21st century.
President Good luck Jonathan following his
victory in the 2011 elections, before the anxious 100 days in office, directed
presidential advisory council on international relations (PACIR) to coordinate
the reforming of Nigeria's foreign policy to be investment oriented. Coupled
with his interactive forum with Nigerians abroad during his foreign visits, the
president asked the nation's foreign policy experts, seasoned diplomats,
professionals and intelligentsia to chart a new way for the future without
discarding the past.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
Relations
between Nigeria and other state and non–state actors in international politics
from 1999 onward were based on democratic principles. The tit-for-tat diplomacy
of late Gen. Sani Abacha, de facto President of Nigeria from 1993 to 1998 had
greatly damaged the image of Nigeria. The government was accused of human
rights abuses and was repeatedly condemned by the U.S. State Department. There
were break in relationship with many countries with threats of economic
sanctions from others. Apart from this, the government was characterized by an
inconsistent foreign policy which made Nigeria a scorn in the comity of
nations.
The goal of every foreign policy is to establish
and maintain a cordial relationship with other nations as well as to build a
good image for a nation and meet its national or domestic interest. This
invariably means that foreign policy is important in formulating, maintaining
and sustaining a nation's good image. The Jonathan administration, like many
other administrations in Nigeria has never lacked good foreign policies. The
problem of Nigeria's foreign policy that is affecting the country's image is
not in formulation, but in implementation [Nwankwo O (2013)].
In response to this, the research work therefore
aims at assessing
Nigerian foreign policy under
President Goodluck Jonathan's administration from 2011-2015. The research will
also find out the extent of implementation of the foreign policy issues that
President Jonathan focused on to implement.
1.3 Research
questions
1.
Did
Nigeria’s Foreign Policy under Goodluck Jonathan regime have any positive
impact on Nigerian’s image globally?
2.
How has ECOWAS enhanced Nigerian’s
economic development?
3.
What
were the challenges of implementation of Nigeria's foreign policy Under
Goodluck Jonathan's administration?
1.4 Objectives
of the study
This study has both broad and specific objectives. The
broad objective of this study is to evaluate Nigeria’s foreign policy under
theadministration of President Goodluck Jonathan 2011 to 2015, in relation with
Ecowas. However, the specific objectives are as follows:
1.
To
determine if Nigeria’s Foreign Policy
under President Goodluck Jonathan regime had any implication on Nigeria's
global image.
2.
To
examine how ECOWAS enhanced Nigerian’s economic development.
3.
To ascertain the challenges of implementation of
Nigeria's foreign policy Under Goodluck Jonathan's administration
1.5 Scope of the Study
This
study focuses on Nigeria’s foreign policy under the administration of President
Goodluck Jonathan 2011 to 2015, in relation with its achievements with the
regional body of Ecowas. It looks at the influence of personality on the
conduct of foreign policy. Other areas which this study covers include the
domestic factors that influenced the foreign policy of Goodluck Jonathan.
Moreover, the key achievements of Goodluck Jonathan foreign policy as regards
domestic economic growth, political stability, regional security, and international
participation are covered in this research. However, the research will be
limited to the foreign policy implementations of President Goodluck Jonathan
and does not intend to provide a biography of the man nor do a comprehensive
study of all his political activities in Nigeria.
1.6 Limitations of the
Study
In
producing a work like this, the problem that confronted the researcher was not
the scarcity of materials, but its availability. More so, this research work is
contemporary and politically sensitive. The researcher therefore was confronted
with the problem of interpretation of the actions of President Goodluck
Jonathan as some of the policies initiated are still an on-ongoing process.
Time and funds served as serious impediments to this research.
1.7 Significance of the
Study
This study has
theoretical and practical significance. Theoretically, it will add to already
existing knowledge in the field of foreign relations and related fields.
Practically;
1.
It will be useful to scholars’ especially
diplomatic historians, political scientists, economists and international
relations experts in their research. Diplomats like ambassadors, high
commissioners and staffers of foreign ministries will benefit from the work
2.
The study will be of paramount importance
to decision makers and the would-be diplomats for it traces the historical
development of Nigeria foreign policy since 1960.
3.
It will help to re-affirm the bold
attempt made by the democratic governments under various administrations,
especially that of Goodluck Jonathan.
4.
This research work will help in
providing information on the domestic factors that influenced Nigeria’s foreign
policy under President Goodluck Jonathan from 2011 to 2015.
5.
The political and military class will
learn, through this study, the need for them to be patriotic.
1.8 Hypotheses
Based on the research
questions and objectives of the study, the following hypotheses were formed.
1.
Nigeria’s
Foreign Policy under Goodluck Jonathan’s regime impacted positively on
Nigerian’s global image.
2.
Ecowas
has positively enhanced Nigerians economic development.
3.
Nigeria's
foreign policy Under Goodluck Jonathan's administration suffered poor
implementation.
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