NIGERIA'S INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS IN AFRICA (A CASE STUDY OF NIGERIA'S LEADERSHIP ROLE IN INTER-AFRICAN RELATIONS SINCE 1975)

ABSTRACT

This is a study that examines Nigeria's role as a leader in Africa when it comes to international relations it took a critical view of its role as the authentic leader since 1975 with special reference to OAU where Nigeria initially despite colossal funding played a less leading role.

Here is a study which overviewed Nigeria's role since its wake from slumber in the 70s by accepting a frontline position in establishing West African Economic Commission (ECOWAS).

An appraisal of Nigeria's relationship internationally, the global response, the travails and victories.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

     PAGES

Title of page                                                                                                             i

Certification                                                                                                             ii

Dedication                                                                                                                iii

Acknowledgements                                                                                               iv

Abstract                                                                                                                    v

Table of Contents                                                                                                   vi

CHAPTER ONE:

Introduction                                                                                                            1

Research Methodology                                                                                        3

Synopsis                                                                                                                    4

Literature Review                                                                                                   5

Notes and References                                                                                           9

CHAPTER TWO

The Genesis of Nigeria’s Leadership                                                                 10

Role in African Relations                                                                                      19

Notes and References                                                                                           26

CHAPTER THREE

The Benefits or Gains of Nigeria’s Leadership                                                28

Role in African Relations                                                                                      32

Notes and References                                                                                           38

CHAPTER FOUR

The Attitude of African Countries towards Nigeria’s Leadership              40

Role in Inter-African Relations                                                                            43

End Notes                                                                                                                 45

CHAPTER FIVE Conclusions, Prospects, Problems and Recommendations   

Conclusions                                                                                                              46

Prospects                                                                                                                  47

Problems                                                                                                                  50

Recommendations                                                                                                 52

Notes and References                                                                                           54

Bibliography                                                                                                            56

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Nigeria was granted independence by Britain on. October 1, 1960 before then, she had been under British tutelage for virtually a century.

After independence, Nigeria was still linked to Britain and the West economically, politically as well as culturally. At independence, it seemed that Nigerian leaders showed no desire to break these historical ties and identity more with African countries, or to establish links with Socialist States. Consequently, the mass media and the politician exhibited sentimental attachment to the West, and looked up to Britain and the West generally, for, direction in-the formulation of Nigeria's foreign policy.

It is thus clear that it was during Gowon administration that African assumed the focus of Nigeria's foreign policy. As a result of this new policy stance, African received greater attention henceforth. In view of this, Gowon developed closer relationship with .his counterparts in the continent. There was also notable increase in the amount of financial and technical assistance Nigeria gave to other African states. Among the thrusts of this essay, is Nigeria's greater involvement in the liberation struggle especially in Southern Africa.

The civil war did not radically change but rather strengthened  the country's African policy as enunciated by the Tafawa Abubakar's regime, the OAU's support to Nigeria during the war intensified Nigeria’s interest in OAU, Mr. Harold Wilson used the OAU's principles several times to justify his government's support for the Federal Government of Nigeria. At the same time, the stand of the OAU was expressed on several occasions regarding the Civil War as an internal affair. This has led to stronger commitment from Nigeria to the building of a virile OAU.  For instance, in 1970-1, the Nigeria government increased its contribution to the OAU budget to 150,000 Pounds. This equals to the 47% over its 1968-9 contribution.

Nigeria's radical commitment to the eradication of colonialism and imperialism from Africa assumed new proportions as a result of the support, given by South Africa to UNITA rebels during the Angolan crisis. After 1968, Nigerian government has been providing assistance to the various revolutionary groups of Southern Africa. This new move was borne out of the allegations that the funds meant for the OAU liberation Committee were alleged to have been used by the Tanzania government to back up the secessionists. As a result of this confidence, the idea of using Nigerian troops against the white minority of South Africa to gain acceptance especially among the decision makers. For instance, in March 1970, Chief Enahoro said in a press conference that the solution to the racial problems in Southern Africa would mainly involve the commitment of development of some of our resources and that in such task Nigeria has to play a prominent role.

The civil was lesson explain that the security and freedom of the country depend on the security, stability and freedom of her neighbours. There was then the suggestion of this novel idea creating a sub-regional economic community which will comprise of Nigeria and her neighbours.  Nigeria believes that as long as neighbouring countries remained financially dependent of France, they could easily be manipulated against Nigeria's stability.

The regimes before the civil war played less formidable and forceful role in Africa affairs compared to the activities of regimes during and after the war. Nigeria especially in the immediate years after independence played less of a leading role within the African continent.

This is connected to. 'the state of Nigeria's economy as at then. In 1963, the population of Nigeria was about 22% of that of the whole Africa, and then, there was the belief that she should lead Africa. This hope was dashed as all attempts to choose Lagos as the headquarters of the OAU proved abortive. Also, when a new Secretary-General was to be elected, Nigeria proposed a Camerounian Minister, Mr. Nzo Ekjangaki, and it was he who got the job. Thus within nine years, Nigeria moved from a position of vying for the OAU crown for herself to one of kingmakers.

Political instability also characterized the regime of Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa's First Republic. He had to contend with internal politics, this consequently to Africa, and foreign policy in general, For instance early in 1962, Sir Abubakar had to cancel his proposed visits to some Africa countries because of internal political unrest.

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

The research methodology was majorly library research. Much of the study involved an extensive literature on Nigeria and her leadership role in Africa. This reading certainly sharpened our theoretical focus and understanding of Nigeria's role inter-African relations. In this regards, the library research focused mainly on secondary sources of information. These include books, articles in journals, newspaper, seminar papers both published and unpublished.

To some extent, primary sources of information were used. They are interviews, questionnaires and field works. Efforts to get lots of these primary sources of information proved relatively difficult. This was as a result of financial limitation which made traveling difficult. The unwillingness by most of the policy makers to grant interview, also limited the strength of my primary sources of information.

In spite of the foregoing, there is still a sound possibility of making enlightened propositions based on the existing facts and information form the library.

SYNOPSIS

CHAPTER ONE:        Introduction

CHAPTER TWO:      The Genesis of Nigeria's Leadership Role in African Relations.

CHAPTER THREE:    The Benefits or Gains of Nigeria's Leadership Role in African  Relations.

CHAPTER FOUR:     The attitude of African countries towards Nigeria's Leadership Role in Inter African Relations.

CHAPTER FIVE:        Conclusion

LITERATURE REVIEW

Though an extensive body of literature exists on Nigerian foreign policy, yet little has been written on Nigeria's leadership role in inter-African relations since 1975. This study fills this gap.

In his "Nigeria's Role in Inter-African Relations with special references to OAU", Olajide Aluko argues that, although Nigeria contributed substantially to the founding of OAU; the country played "less of a leading role within the organization despite the size and economic potential of the country" This could not be unconnected with the internal crisis that rocked the country during the early years of Nigeria's independence.

On economic co-operation, from 1970, Nigeria took a frontline position in the bid to establish a West African Economic Community. She negotiated more favourable trade terms with Europe and extended financial aid to other African states. Aluko identified the principal factors accounting for these changes as the increased economic and military strength of Nigeria; experiences gained during the Nigeria civil war, especially the perception of inter-state alignment in the African and the world; and the greater appreciation of the positive role that the OAU might play in African affairs.

According to Joseph Wayas on Nigeria's leadership role in Africa from the time of independence to the early 1970s, that is from the civilian administration of Abubakar through the military regime of Yakubu Gowon Nigeria did not play an enviable role in Africa.

Omotayo Olaniyan, while examining Nigeria's role in ECOWAS, stated that role- could be best understood in the context of the country's attempt to overcome internal underdevelopment , He argue further that while Nigeria was one of the leading actors in the establishment and early development of ECOWAS, it has also taken steps which have done remarkable damage to the spirit of integration in the subregion. He concluded by urging Nigerian political  leaders to play a more active role in ECOWAS and take a less narrow and short-term view of Nigeria's problems.

Fafowora, O.O., in his article, “Nigeria in the African setting” opined that the evolution of Nigeria's African policy in this period is a subject that has already received considerable attention by scholars. .

According to him, there have been several studies relating to Nigeria’s relation to specific situation or events in Africa, but they are always too-easily predisposed to evaluate Nigeria's African policy in ideological terms. Nigeria's sharp reaction at the common wealth and the severance of diplomatic relation with France in 1963, as a result of the atomic tests in Sahara pointed towards the African centredness of Nigeria's foreign policy.

He further argued that the outbreak of civil war in Nigeria and the subsequent threat to Nigeria's national survival, compelled the nation to become more outward looking in its African policy. The OAU eventually became a major theatre of operations for Nigeria's policy objective which was clearly to secure the Organization's opposition to the secessionist and the endorsement of the Federalist. In the end, it is clear that the overwhelming support which the Federal government enjoyed among OAU members was of crucial importance to its war efforts to ensure the survival of nations.

The more this national role conception part of-the political culture of a nation, the more likely they set limits on perceived, politically feasible policy alternatives and the less likely that idiosyncratic variables would be crucial in decision making.

According to Chief Fani-Kayode, while contributing to a parliamentary debate on the necessity for increased defence appropriation, asserted that "Nigeria should be prepared to give Africa not only political leadership but also military leadership.

According to Claude S. Philips "Nigeria is after all potentially the greatest power in African from the stand point of the elements of national politics use to determine a state's position in the power struggle". The same nation has been seized upon and used over and again by many, notable scholars like All Mazrus who on the occasion referred to Nigeria in grandiose terms as country "on its way to becoming the first major black power in modern international politics. To sum it up, from independence to date, even in the psychology of the citizenry, there is that pervasive implicit believe which has had expression through their leadership that Nigeria is a "born leadership."

Oscar O.B. Ede, in his article titled "Nigeria and Francophone Africa". Asserted that Nigerian foreign makers and indeed scholars sometimes disagree about the nature and implications of the leadership role for Nigeria in African politics. However, none of them denies that Nigerians see themselves as defined to play a

leading-role in contemporary African politics. As a matter of fact, Nigeria's foreign policy pre-occupation has repeatedly been officially stated to be afroncentric.

That is to say that Africa has been proclaimed and generally accepted to be the Centerpiece of the country's foreign policy.

In 1981, President Ronald Reagan wrote a letter to President Shehu- Shagari after their inauguration into office as Presidents of their respective states. He said, "I want you to know that, i view Nigeria as a leader among Africa nations which share the US desire for peace throughout the world. I am delighted to be entering office at a time when US Nigeria relations are co-operative and cordial. This gave more impetus to Nigeria's leadership ambition in Africa.

Buyers has the right to create dispute within seven (7) days of purchase for 100% refund request when you experience issue with the file received. 

Dispute can only be created when you receive a corrupt file, a wrong file or irregularities in the table of contents and content of the file you received. 

ProjectShelve.com shall either provide the appropriate file within 48hrs or send refund excluding your bank transaction charges. Term and Conditions are applied.

Buyers are expected to confirm that the material you are paying for is available on our website ProjectShelve.com and you have selected the right material, you have also gone through the preliminary pages and it interests you before payment. DO NOT MAKE BANK PAYMENT IF YOUR TOPIC IS NOT ON THE WEBSITE.

In case of payment for a material not available on ProjectShelve.com, the management of ProjectShelve.com has the right to keep your money until you send a topic that is available on our website within 48 hours.

You cannot change topic after receiving material of the topic you ordered and paid for.