Meaning and History of Nigerian Foreign Policy Year 2 NCE Class

Meaning of Foreign Policy

 

Foreign Policy can be defined as a country's strategy in dealing with other countries. A foreign policy, also called foreign relations or foreign affairs policy, refers to the strategies a country use to pursue her interests within the global system.

Nigeria’s foreign policy refers to self-interest action plans chosen by the Federal Government to safeguard Nigeria’s national interest within the international system.

National or domestic interest is a major factor in foreign policy implementation.

 

There is no generally agreed decision on the definition of foreign Policy, even though different scholars have attempted to define foreign policy according to their understanding. Before defining foreign policy it will be necessary to explain what Policy is all about as thus the meaning.

In the word of Presthus (1975) Policy is defined as a definite course or method of action selected from among alternatives and in the light of given conditions to guide and usually determine present and future (Obi, 2006).

Policy according to Calvert (1986) is “a continuous process of decisions and their implementation taking place within the organizational structure of a state”. All policy must involve a conscious choice between or among alternatives. The word policy is usually goal oriented and are meant in solving problems. Having gained knowledge of policy lets delve into the main topic which is foreign Policy. Various authors have thrown more light in defining foreign policy which also has no general agreed definition.

What is foreign Policy? We shall look at views from various authors about foreign policy.  Foreign Policy according to Modelski (1962) is the system of activities evolved by communities for changing the behavior of other states and for adjusting their own activities to the international environment (Obi, 2006). Another scholar known as Holsti, defined foreign Policy as “the actions of a state towards the external environment and the conditions usually domestic under which these actions are formulated” based on this, foreign policy cannot be formulated in a vacuum, it must has a root or base from the needs of the populace residing in a particular environment.

Northgdge conceptualizes foreign Policy simply as “interplay between the outside and the inside”, while Charles Lerche and Abdul A. maintains that “the foreign policy of a state usually refers to the general principles by which a state governs its reaction to the environment”. According to Millar T. B. “foreign policy is presumably something less than the sum of all policies which have an effect upon a national government’s relations with other national governments.” More so, Joeseph F. views foreign policy as “consisting of decisions and actions which involve to some appreciable extent relations between one state and another.” He further defines foreign policy as a “dynamic process of interaction between the changing domestic demands and support and the changing external circumstances (Anifowese & Enemuo 1999).

A country's foreign policy (also called the international relations policy) is a set of goals about how the country will work with other countries economically, politically, socially and militarily. Foreign policy also involves dealing with groups that are not countries but that are still important. These are called non-state actors, and might include religious groups, large companies, or even terrorist groups. The study of foreign relations is known as foreign policy analysis (FPA) and the work is called diplomacy. Most counties have a foreign minister who directs these things.

 

Foreign policy means the policy of nurturing and promoting one's national interest while interacting with other countries. Every country decides on the framework of its foreign policy and according to its principles, it takes decisions about how and what kind of transactions it would carry out with other nations.

History of Nigerian Foreign Policy

Nigeria as a nation started participating in international politics as far back as 1954, when the colonial government transferred the powers over external relations to the Nigerian federal government. Even though it was not an absolute one as the Nigerian government was to be involved mainly in such relations which were entrusted to the federation by the majesty’s government in the United Kingdom from time to time. Their power as at that time was limited. They were restricted from performing certain official duties unless the order from the United Kingdom or from the Majesty.

According to Obi, in Ofegbu, (1990), that apart from the issue above restriction it has been observed that though Nigeria was given the go ahead order to operate her foreign relations from   1954;

This was not matched at that time with the creation of distinct administrative machinery to coordinate decisions and actions in these areas. What in fact happened was that the Chief Secretary who headed the domestic civil service incorporated external relations and defence into his schedule, whereas he lacked the staff, the specialist knowledge and the time lay a solid foundation for a future Ministry of External Affairs. Similarly, the Financial Secretary of the Federation took on responsibility for external trade. This began a practice whereby external economics and foreign trade became primary concerns of economic ministries and departments rather than those of the Ministry of External Affairs.(Obi, 2009)

The history of Nigerian Foreign Policy (N.F.P.)/(NFP) started as far back as 1st October 1960. Even though not   much attention or interest were shown by the Nigerian government concerning the FP , which is said to have been  inherited  from the colonial masters, who lacked interest on the people of Nigeria and Africa as a whole. Moreover, the first Prime Minister of Nigeria, Alhaji Tafawa Balewa in his Foreign Policy statement outlined the fundamental thrust of Nigerian foreign Policy as follows: 

1.      The sovereign equality of all African states

2.      Non-interference in international affairs of other African states

3.      Commitment to functional cooperation as a means of promoting African unity

4.      Total eradication of racism and colonialism from Africa(okolie in Agbu, 2008:6)

 

Since Nigeria's independence in 1960, Nigeria’s foreign policies have been characterized by a focus on Africa as a regional power and by the attachment to several fundamental principles - African unity and independence, capability to exercise hegemonic influence in the region, peaceful settlement of disputes, non -alignment and non - intentional interference in the internal affairs of other nations, and regional economic co-o peration and development. In carrying out these principles, Nigeria participates in the organization of African Unity (OAU) - now African Union (AU), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), The Commonwealth and the United Nations

Generally, Nigeria’s foreign policy trends (the development and formulation) since 1960, has consistently been guided by the same principles and objectivity. Although while the main thrust of the country’s foreign policy, the promotion of her national interest and the policy of afro-centricity remained permanent, the strategy and emphasis for such protection by successive regimes varied from one to another.

As far back as in 1960 Nigeria’s foreign policies have been characterized by a focus on Africa as a regional power and by the attachment to several fundamental principles. African unity and independence, capability to exercise hegemonic influence in the region, peaceful settlement of disputes, non -alignment and non - intentional interference in the internal affairs of other nations,  and regional economic co-operation and development has been their utmost aim. In carrying out these principles, Nigeria took part in the organization of African Unity (OAU) which is presently African Union (AU), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), The Commonwealth and the United Nations.

Nigeria’s foreign policy trends on the development and formulation since 1960, has consistently been guided by the same principles and objectivity. Although while the main thrust of the country’s foreign policy, the promotion of her national interest and the policy of afro-centricity remained permanent, the strategy and emphasis for such protection by successive regimes varied from one to another.

While the substance of Nigeria’s foreign policy remained largely the same from regime to regime. Nigeria’s foreign policy, however, witnessed various adjustments and modifications depending on the orientations of the political leaderships. In addition, the prevailing domestic (political, economic and socio-cultural realities) and international environments have been major determinants in Nigeria’s foreign policy trends over the years.

Africa as the Centrepiece of Nigeria's Foreign Policy is a concept that is premised on the understanding that Nigeria's engagement in the international system was seen as the binoculars of  Africa. As Hon. Aja Wachukwu (Former Nigerian Diplomat) stated, 'charity begins at home and therefore any Nigerian foreign policy that does not take into consideration the peculiar position of Africa is unrealistic'. For the records, it’s the Adedeji Report of 1976 (Professor Adebayo Adedeji) that coined the concept: 'Africa as centre-piece'.

The issues that gave practical expression to this African-centeredness were the remnants of colonialism on the continent, apartheid in South Africa, liberation wars, ideological and proxy conflicts among others. Outside these politically pressing factors, the issue of a shared racial universe, of cultural neighbourhood, of shared historical experiences and the ideals of pan-Africanism further lubricated the wheels of this foreign policy conceptualization.

Under the framework of an Africa-centered foreign policy, Nigeria got involved deeply in the decolonization struggles in Angola, Mozambique, Namibia, and anti-apartheid struggles in South Africa and in the process earning for itself the appellation a 'frontline nation', even though she was geographically far removed from the theater of the struggles which was in the Southern African region. Nigeria is central to the formation of ECOWAS, has contained the breakdown of social order in Liberia, Sierra Leone, etc, through its world acknowledged peacekeeping expertise, and has provided economic life wire to less economically resourceful countries. In terms of proactive engagement with major socio-political and economic issues of continental importance in the last fifty one years, Nigeria tower far above any other African country

Since this phraseology appeared on the Nigeria foreign policy scene, it has continued to reproduce itself, like the ever recurring mathematical decimal. The foreign policy elite and political leadership of successive governments seems to be carried away by its philosophical allure rather than its rational ideation. In this sense, therefore, considerations of the economic benefits, continental political leadership, national interests, and military partnerships and strategic engagements are sacrificed on the altar of good neighbourliness and psychological gratification. I need to make a comment on the issue of psychological gratification. This issue has to do with the psychological construction and mentality of Nigerians that verge on bigmanism, show-off and materialism. Beneath all these however, lies a massively gigantic emptiness and inferiority complex. Most often, the flagrant display of materialism among Nigerians is a product of psycho-social insecurity. Exported to the international arena, in this sense, Nigeria wants to present an image of a big brother image before the other African countries.

This reason accounts for why in spite of the huge financial expenditures and massive loss of human and material resources in the Liberian and Sierra Leone wars, for instance, Nigeria has not been able to reap any economic benefits. To date, one cannot tell one single Nigerian company involved in the post-conflict reconstruction activities going on in these two countries. What major economic niche has Nigeria carved for herself in these post-conflicts countries? There is hardly anything one can point finger towards. Yet, the Africa-centredness framework has continued to maintain a stronghold on Nigemazria’s foreign policy. The theories of concentric cycles and concert of medium powers all take their bearing from this perspective. In sum, the concept of Africa as a center piece of Nigeria foreign policy is also not grounded in considerations of economic growth and national development, and as such no matter how conceptually lush it may be, it remains substantially empty.

 

Since independence, with Jaja Wachuku as the first Minister of Foreign Affairs and Commons, later called External Affairs, Nigerian foreign policy has been characterized by a focus on Africa as a regional power and by attachment to several fundamental principles: African unity and independence; capability to exercise hegemonic influence in the region: peaceful settlement of disputes; non-alignment and non-intentional interference in the internal affairs of other nations; and regional economic cooperation and development. In carrying out these principles, Nigeria participates in the African Union, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Non-Aligned Movement, the Commonwealth of Nations, and the United Nations.There are many Nigerian organizations outside the country. Prominent among them is the Houston, Texas United States-based Nigerian Union Diaspora (NUD), which is the umbrella Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) for the economic and political empowerment of the people of Nigerian descent outside Nigeria.

 Upon gaining independence in 1960, Nigeria quickly committed itself to improving the lives of the people of the country and harnessing the resources that remain vital to the economy of the country and her neighbours. By observing at what benefits and appropriate for the country, Nigeria became one of the founding members of the Organisation for African Unity (OAU), which later became the African Union. The Organisation for African Unity checks political stability of any African countries and encourages them to be holding regional meetings for the union. Nigeria backed the African National Congress (ANC) by taking a committed tough line with regard to the South African government and their military actions in southern Africa. Nigeria and Organisation for African Unity (OAU, now the African Union), has tremendous influence in West Africa nations and Africa on the whole. Nigeria has additionally founded regional cooperative efforts in West Africa, functioning as standard-bearer for ECOWAS and ECOMOG, economic and military organisations, respectively.

Similarly, when civil war broke out in Angola after the country gained independence from Portugal in 1975, Nigeria mobilised its diplomatic influence in Africa in support of the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA). That support helped tip the balance in their favour, which led to OAU recognition of the MPLA over the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola.

Nigeria extended diplomatic support to another cause, Sam Nujoma's Southwest Africa People's Organization in Namibia, to stall the apartheid South African-installed government there. In 1977, the new General Olusegun Obasanjo's military regime donated $20 million to the Zimbabwean movement against the apartheid government of Rhodesia. Nigeria also sent military equipment to Mozambique to help the newly independent country suppress the South African-backed Mozambican National Resistance guerrillas. Nigeria also provided some military training at the Kaduna first mechanized army division and other material support to Joshua Nkomo and Robert Mugabe's guerrilla forces during the Zimbabwe War in 1979 against the white minority rule of Prime Minister Ian Douglas Smith, which was backed by the apartheid government of South Africa.

Due to mismanagement of her economy and technology, Nigeria announced that she was launching a nuclear programme of "unlimited scope" of her own but failed. After the Nigerian Independence in 1960, Nigeria demonstrated her seriousness in improving the economy for the people and embarked on nationalizing some multi-national companies that traded with and broke the economic/trade embargo of the apartheid South African regime, the local operations of Barclays Bank was nationalised after that bank ignored the strong protests by the Nigeria populace.

Nigeria also nationalised the British Petroleum (BP) for supplying oil to South Africa. In 1982, the Alhaji Shehu Shagari government urged the visiting Pontiff Pope John Paul II to grant audience to the leaders of Southern Africa guerrilla organisations Oliver Tambo of the ANC and Sam Nujoma of SWAPO. In December 1983, the new Major General Muhammadu Buhari regime announced that Nigeria could no longer afford an apartheid government in Africa.