Title: Rethinking Nigeria's Foreign Policy: A Review Of The National Interest Agenda
Authors: Dr. Alazigha, Fred Ebipadou And Dr. Amanawa, David Ebiegberi
Volume: 8
Issue: 8
Pages: 222-235
Publication Date: 2024/08/28
Abstract:
A well-thought-out national interest guides a nation's foreign policy development and implementation, and the article studied the symbiotic link between the notions of national interest and foreign policy. Over the years, Nigeria's foreign policy has been attributed to being driven by the nation's national interest, which previous research has shown to be obfuscating. Nigeria's foreign policy, historically and currently, is stated to be at odds with what is achieved in other regions, as are her national interests. The article used the idea of state capture as our guidance to accomplish the study's goal. The study uses a qualitative content analysis technique and primarily draws information from secondary sources, including books, journal articles, journals, conference proceedings, websites, etc. The analysis concludes that Nigeria's foreign policy objectives and her country's interests are at odds. Previous research on Nigeria's foreign policy and national interest was based on narrow-minded and jaded views rather than providing advantages to the country's progress. This study examines the necessity of reconsidering a well-reasoned and solid national interest as a prerequisite for a country's foreign policy formulation and execution, filling a vacuum in the literature on foreign policy analysis. Additionally, the administration is always committed and defends the status quo rather than addressing difficulties revealed by many studies on the undeniable disparity between national interest and foreign policy purposes. According to the report, changes are desperately needed to guarantee a well-defined, organized policy for efficacy, efficiency, and transparency.