CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1   BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY

Foreign policy can be defined as a self-interest strategy put in place by the state to safeguard its national interests and also to achieve its goals within an international environment. Foreign policy is a set of principles that define the objectives a given state pursues in process of its interactions with other international actors. The ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle once said “man by nature is a political animal” by this he was implying that man is a social being therefore friendships and relations have existed between humans since the beginning of human creation. As such ,Nigeria‟s foreign policy can be traced back to the times of the indirect rule system, with the coming of colonial officers, diplomatic relations were established, with such establishments like the consular authority in 1847 and the amalgamation of 1914. This brought Nigeria into the diplomatic world not as an independent state but as a colonial state(Ogidan 2011).

Development of Nation-States and increasing interactions among them has resulted into formation of foreign policy in the modern times. Establishment of United Nations and process of decolonization that has liberated many states into sovereign entities have further provided impetus to interrelationships among states. There is certain unanimity among scholars and statesmen on necessity of a foreign policy for each state, since no state will like to function in complete isolation from rest of the world.

The history of Nigerian foreign policy since 1960 has constantly been changing; though the principles guiding her foreign relations remain the same. Nigerian leaders are largely responsible for these unstable external relations.

Since Nigeria‟s foreign policy is deeply rooted in Africa with strategic emphasis on political and economic cooperation, peaceful dispute resolution, and global nonalignment, Nigerian leaders also have their attention fixed on the successful implementation of these principles. However, the influence of 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 in understanding Nigeria‟s foreign policy. Again, analysis Of Nigeria‟s foreign policy show that her leaders operate within four

“concentric circles” of national interest. The innermost circle represents Nigeria‟s own security, independence and prosperity and is centred on its immediate neighbours – Benin, Cameroon, Chad and Niger; the second circle revolves around Nigeria‟s relations with its West African neighbours; the third circle focuses on continental African issues of peace, development and democratization; and the fourth circle involves Nigeria‟s relations with organizations, institutions and states outside Africa. With this in mind, each Nigerian head of state or president work to ensure that no single part is defected in pursuing the country‟s foreign policy. Evidences abound on how past Nigerian heads of state or presidents have worked within these four concentric circles. Nigeria became a regional power and centre of influence, particularly in Africa (Okpokpo1999).

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 to the civilized world, he engaged in a deft shuttle diplomacy across the major capitals of the globe. The president, during his extensive foreign trips, have addressed the United

Nations, Economic Community Of West African States, the Group of 8(G-8),

Group 77 (G-77), the Commonwealth, African Union (AU) and European Union (Ogunbanjo 2002).

The nation has achieved significant gains through the regime‟s shuttle diplomacy, apart from the psychological relief following its re-integration and accommodations into the world affairs, Nigeria had assumed the leadership of several international organizations notably the ECOWAS, AU, and G-77, (Inamete 2001). The nation had hosted very important international summits including those of the Commonwealth Heads of State and Government and the AU in 2004, the New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD) in 2005, and severally, the ECOWAS since 1999. The nation had also hosted the

All Africa Games in 2004. Obasanjo had been the guest of honour to the UN

Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in May 2004 (Adebajo and Mustapha 2008).

All these imply that the international system has restored its confidence in Nigeria. It can be said therefore that period covering 1999-2007 Nigeria‟s foreign policy received a new turn in restoring the image of the country through a global shuttle diplomacy of President Olusegun Obasanjo. Therefore, the focus of this present study is to critically assess the Nigerian foreign policy using the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo as case study especially in his effort in restoring the image of the country, analyse his foreign policy posture and give a critical appraisal of the success and failures in terms of domestic and international repositioning.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

A state without foreign policy will look like a team playing football without any strategy to post the goals, hence all eleven players being clueless about their role and functions on the playground. Thus, in a modern state that lacks foreign policy, the External Affairs Ministry will have no priorities in developing bilateral relations or participating in multilateral forums. The Defence Ministry will have no clear cut ideas about armed preparations of country‟s military, since no criteria have been set up before it to define friends and to recognize enemies in the international sphere. The Finance as well as Commerce Ministry will struggle to take stand on issues of import-export during bilateral or multilateral trade negotiations. Therefore, it can be said that foreign policy will exist as long as sovereign states operate in international sphere.

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 coming of President Olusegun Obasanjo and the various reforms which he embarked upon actually brought Nigeria out of the messy situation that Gen. Sani Abacha led the country into. For President Olusegun Obasanjo to have achieved such a feat in restoring the image of the country deserves scholarly attention. This study therefore aims to provide a critical appraisal of Obasanjo‟s foreign policy with emphasis on his use of expatriates in the conduct of external relations; reintegration of Nigeria into the African Union, the United Nations and other international organizations; and the revolution in domestic policies that favoured strategic repositioning of Nigerian economy.

1.3 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

This research work seeks to address the following questions;

What is foreign policy and what purpose does it serve in the international system?

To what extent has Nigeria conducted her foreign policy in the international system?

What is the impact of Obasanjo‟s shuttle diplomacy in re-building Nigeria‟s image as a regional power in Africa?

To what extent has the Obasanjo‟s foreign policy failed to achieve the intended purpose?

1.4       OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

This study seeks to achieve the following objectives:

Provide a detailed background to Nigeria‟s foreign policy under President Olusegun Obasanjo from 1999 to 2007 focusing on his achievements and shortcomings.

Examine the impact of Obasanjo‟s shuttle diplomacy in re-building Nigeria‟s image as a regional power in Africa.

Analyse Obasanjo‟s policy of partnership especially with the western powers and the implication of this partnership on Nigeria economic growth between 1999 and 2007

Discuss the contributions of Nigeria under the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo to the security and peace-building in Africa.

1.5       RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

The study will be based on secondary data; choice of data collection would be based solely on secondary data such as books, articles, magazines, newspapers and journals as well as contributions online.

1.6       SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This study is very important for certain reasons. First, the study is of paramount importance to decision makers and the would-be diplomats for it traces the historical development of Nigeria foreign policy since 1960. Secondly, it helps to re-affirm the bold attempt made by the democratic government under the leadership of President Olusegun Obasanjo to rebuild the lost image of Nigeria in the comity of nations by addressing the issues of corruption, debt and political tensions in the country. Thirdly, this research work will help in providing information on the domestic factors that influenced Nigeria‟s foreign policy under President Olusegun Obasanjo (1999- 2007). Fourthly, it is 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.

Significantly, this work is an addition to knowledge as it is intended to enhance the knowledge of the general public on the issue Nigerian foreign policy. As a result of this, this project work will serve as a platform for future research.

1.7       SCOPE OF THE STUDY

An attempt to avoid misinterpretation and also to ensure a critical analysis has called for delimitation and reducing the scope of this to the national level, focusing on the administration of president Olusegun Obasanjo. This study focuses on Nigeria‟s foreign policy under the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo from 1999 to 2007. 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 President Olusegun

Obasanjo. Moreover, the key achievements of Obasanjo‟s foreign policy as regards domestic economic growth, political stability, regional security, and international participation are covered in this research.

1.8       LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

However, the research will be limited to the foreign policy implementations of President Olusegun Obasanjo and does not intend to provide a biography of the man nor do a comprehensive study of all his political activities in Nigeria. In producing such a work like this, the problem confronting the researcher is not the scarcity of materials but its availability.   There are challenges with regards to interpretation of the actions of President Olusegun Obasanjo as some of the policies initiated are still an on-ongoing process.

Finally, there is the question of time and fund which may serve as impediments to this research. Nevertheless, these limitations factors will greatly be managed to make the research work more objective in its presentation as efforts shall be made at controlling and overcoming limitations in order to make the research work meaningful.

1.9      ORGANIZATION OF THE STUDY

This project work shall be divided into five (5) chapters, Chapter one focuses on background of the study, statement of the problem, research question, aims and objectives, research methodology, significance of the study, scope and limitations of the study and organization of the study.

The second chapter reviews the relevant literature on the concept of foreign policy; analyse the evolution of Nigeria‟s foreign policy, principles and objectives, it also has its basic element the theoretical framework.

The third chapter however examines the foreign policy under Obansanjo‟s administration. Other elements in this chapter include domestic factors influencing Nigeria‟s foreign policy and influence of the personality of Olusegun Obasanjo on Nigerian foreign policy.

The fourth chapter evaluates president Olusegun Obasanjo‟s foreign policy, his shuttle diplomacy, achievements and challenges faced.

The last chapter which is chapter five will focus on the summary, conclusions and recommendations of the study.