Eleanor Finch
Nigeria's 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. Since its independence, Nigeria has played a central role in ECOWAS efforts to end the civil war in Liberia and has contributed to peacekeeping forces in Sierra Leone. Nigeria has also provided diplomatic support to anti-apartheid movements in Southern Africa and military equipment to suppress the South African-backed Mozambican National Resistance guerrillas. The country has enjoyed generally good relations with its neighbours and has actively played a leading role in promoting peace and stability in West Africa.
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What You'll Learn
Nigeria's foreign policy goals
Nigeria has actively played a leading role in West Africa, leveraging its significant military power to promote peace and stability in the region. It has been a key player in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and has contributed the majority of peacekeeping forces to Liberia and Sierra Leone. Additionally, Nigeria has founded regional cooperative efforts in West Africa and is a standard-bearer for ECOWAS and ECOMOG, economic and military organisations, respectively.
Nigeria's foreign policy also reflects its commitment to improving the lives of its citizens and harnessing vital resources for its economy and that of its neighbours. This includes nationalising companies that traded with the apartheid South African regime and providing diplomatic and military support to anti-apartheid movements in Southern Africa.
On the international stage, Nigeria has established diplomatic relations with countries like the United States, which is one of its largest foreign investors, particularly in the petroleum and mining sectors. Nigeria is also a member of organisations such as the African Union, the Non-Aligned Movement, the Commonwealth of Nations, and the United Nations, through which it pursues its foreign policy objectives.
Overall, Nigeria's foreign policy goals centre around promoting African integration and unity, advancing regional economic development, and representing and protecting the interests of the country and its citizens abroad.
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Regional power and influence
Nigeria has long been committed to establishing itself as a regional power in West Africa, with a foreign policy focused on African unity and independence. As the most populous country in Africa, with an estimated population of over 230 million, Nigeria has the continent's largest economy and wields enormous military power.
Nigeria has played a central role in the ECOWAS efforts to end the civil war in Liberia, contributing the majority of peacekeeping forces. It has also provided the bulk of troops for ECOMOG forces in Sierra Leone and played a leading role in promoting peace and stability in West Africa. Nigeria's commitment to African unity and independence is further demonstrated by its support for the African National Congress (ANC) in South Africa and Sam Nujoma's Southwest Africa People's Organization in Namibia, in their struggles against apartheid.
Nigeria was one of the founding members of the Organisation for African Unity (OAU), which later became the African Union. It also actively participates in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Non-Aligned Movement. Nigeria's foreign policy is characterised by a focus on peaceful settlement of disputes, non-alignment, and non-interference in the internal affairs of other nations.
Nigeria's regional influence is also evident in its economic relationships. Despite facing challenges such as deficient infrastructure and corruption, Nigeria's economy has shown resilience, with a projected growth rate above the population growth rate. The country is a major exporter of crude oil, and the United States is a key trading partner, with two-way trade totalling over $8.1 billion in 2022.
In summary, Nigeria's foreign policy has been characterised by a commitment to establishing itself as a regional power in West Africa, promoting African unity and independence, and using its economic and military might to foster peace and stability in the region.
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Peacekeeping and conflict resolution
Nigeria's foreign policy has been characterised by a focus on Africa as a regional power and by attachment to several fundamental principles, including peaceful settlement of disputes, non-alignment and non-interference in the internal affairs of other nations, and regional economic cooperation and development.
Nigeria has played a central role in ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) efforts to end the civil war in Liberia, contributing the majority of peacekeeping forces sent there in 1990. Nigeria also provided most of the troops for ECOMOG forces in Sierra Leone. With enormous military power, Nigeria has long aimed to promote peace and stability in West Africa, the most prosperous region on the continent. The country is a member of the African Union, ECOWAS, the Non-Aligned Movement, the Commonwealth of Nations, and the United Nations.
Nigeria has also been active in Southern Africa. The country backed the African National Congress (ANC) in South Africa, taking a tough line with regard to the South African government and their military actions in the region. Nigeria also extended diplomatic support to Sam Nujoma's Southwest Africa People's Organization in Namibia to resist the apartheid South African-installed government. In 1977, Nigeria donated $20 million to the Zimbabwean movement against the Rhodesian apartheid government. The country also sent military equipment to Mozambique to help suppress the South African-backed Mozambican National Resistance guerrillas.
Nigeria has enjoyed generally good relations with its neighbours and has actively played a leading role in West Africa. The country has also founded regional cooperative efforts in the region, functioning as a standard-bearer for ECOWAS and ECOMOG, economic and military organisations, respectively.
In terms of relations with the United States, the two countries established diplomatic ties in 1960 following Nigeria's independence. Since 1966, Nigeria has experienced a series of military coups, excluding a brief period of civilian rule between 1979 and 1983. The US is the largest foreign investor in Nigeria, with investment concentrated in the petroleum, mining, and wholesale trade sectors. The US also provides security assistance to Nigeria, including Foreign Military Sales and the International Military Education and Training (IMET) program.
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Economic cooperation and development
Nigeria's foreign policy has been characterised by a focus on Africa as a regional power and by attachment to several fundamental principles, including regional economic cooperation and development.
Nigeria has played a central role in the ECOWAS efforts to end the civil war in Liberia, contributing the majority of peacekeeping forces. It has also provided most of the troops for ECOMOG forces in Sierra Leone. Nigeria has generally enjoyed good relations with its neighbours and has actively played a leading role in West Africa, aiming to promote peace and stability in the region.
Nigeria is a member of the African Union, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Non-Aligned Movement, the Commonwealth of Nations, and the United Nations. It was also one of the founding members of the Organisation for African Unity (OAU), which later became the African Union. This organisation checks the political stability of African countries and encourages them to hold regional meetings.
Nigeria has also founded regional cooperative efforts in West Africa and functions as a standard-bearer for ECOWAS and ECOMOG, economic and military organisations, respectively. For example, Nigeria mobilised its diplomatic influence in Angola after the country gained independence from Portugal in 1975 and civil war broke out.
Nigeria has also extended diplomatic support to 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 has also shown a commitment to improving its economy and the economies of its neighbours. After gaining independence in 1960, Nigeria nationalised some multi-national companies that traded with and broke the economic/trade embargo of the apartheid South African regime.
The United States is the largest foreign investor in Nigeria, and the country is the US's second-largest trading partner in Africa. US foreign direct investment is largely concentrated in the petroleum/mining and wholesale trade sectors. In 2022, two-way trade in goods between the two countries totalled over $8.1 billion. US assistance supports Nigerian efforts to strengthen democratic institutions, promote good governance, counter corruption, and improve security.
Nigeria is the largest economy in Africa and most populous country in Africa, with an estimated population of over 230 million, which is expected to approach 400 million by 2050. It had an estimated gross domestic product of 477 billion USD in 2022, and although its economy has become more diversified, crude oil sales remain the main source of export earnings.
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Diplomatic relations with the United States
Nigeria and the United States established diplomatic relations in 1960, following Nigeria's independence from the United Kingdom. In the 21st century, the two countries have shared an important, though occasionally uneasy, alliance.
The United States is the largest foreign investor in Nigeria, with US foreign direct investment concentrated largely in the petroleum/mining and wholesale trade sectors. In 2022, two-way trade in goods between the two countries totalled over $8.1 billion, and Nigeria is the US's second-largest trading partner in Africa. Nigeria is also the largest economy and most populous country in Africa, with an estimated population of over 230 million, which is expected to approach 400 million by 2050.
The US has supported Nigerian institutions and the Nigerian people in their efforts to conduct free, fair, and transparent elections. The US also supported Nigeria's return to democracy in 1999, following a series of military coups from 1966 to 1999, and the death of General Sani Abacha, who ruled as a military dictator from 1993. Under Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, trade and aid links between the two countries intensified, and the relationship between the countries improved.
Bilateral relations are increasingly centred around military, security, and counterterrorism cooperation in West Africa, particularly in the Gulf of Guinea and against ISIS and Boko Haram. The US has provided security assistance to Nigeria, totalling approximately $650 million since 2017, including $500 million in Foreign Military Sales. Nigeria also has one of the largest International Military-Education and Training (IMET) programs in Sub-Saharan Africa, with the US providing technical assistance and training for law enforcement and judiciary professionals.
The US has also provided humanitarian aid to Nigeria, particularly in response to the crisis in Northeast Nigeria, providing $1.45 billion since 2015 and supporting almost two million conflict-affected households.
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Frequently asked questions
Diplomacy plays a crucial role in Nigeria's foreign policy, which is centred around African unity and independence, regional economic cooperation, and peaceful dispute settlement. Nigeria has actively pursued good relations with its neighbours and played a leading role in promoting peace and stability in West Africa.
Since gaining independence in 1960, Nigeria's foreign policy has been characterised by a focus on Africa as a regional power. During this time, Nigeria has experienced a series of military coups and a civil war, which have impacted its relationships with other nations.
Nigeria's foreign policy goals include promoting African integration, supporting African unity, and fostering international cooperation for peace and mutual respect. Nigeria also aims to protect the interests of its citizens and advance its economic and political influence globally.
The United States is one of the largest foreign investors in Nigeria, with significant investments in the petroleum, mining, and wholesale trade sectors. US assistance supports democratic institutions, good governance, and anti-corruption efforts in Nigeria.
Nigeria has played a central role in ECOWAS efforts to end the civil war in Liberia and contributed peacekeeping forces to Sierra Leone. Nigeria has also provided diplomatic support to anti-apartheid movements in Southern Africa and founded regional cooperative efforts in West Africa.
