Classwork Exercise and Series (Government- SS3): Foreign Policy

Definition Of Foreign Policy

Foreign policy refers to the decisions and actions taken by a state to pursue her interests within the global system. The ability of a nation to influence the decisions and actions of other nations within the comity of nations is of great importance.

Nigeria’s foreign policy can be defined as the totality of Nigeria’s interaction within the international system. In defining and planning their foreign policies, government most essentially consider the enhancement of national interests at international level. National or domestic interest is a major factor in foreign policy implementation.

Nigeria’s Foreign Policy since Independence

Since independence, there has been a succession of a military and civil administration whose foreign policies differed greatly in terms of ideology, style, substance and even the personality of the leaders. A former foreign affairs minister of Nigeria, Major General Nwachukwu (rtd) grouped Nigeria’s foreign policy since independence into different phases:

1. The Balewa era- ( 1960-66)
2. Crises and civil war period (Gowon period, 1960-70)
3. Post-war eras of the 3Rs- Reconstruction, Reconciliation and Rehabilitation.
4. Gowon era(1970-75)
5. The Muritala Obasanjo era (1975-79)
6. The second republic era (1979-83)
7. The Buhari/Idiagbon era (1983-85)
8. The Babangida era (1985-93)
9. The Shonekan/Abacha era (1993-June 98)
10. .The Abubakar era (June 1998-May 1999)

Each of the regimes or administration operated according to the prevailing domestic or national and international environment including the goals set by each of the leaders/administrations.

The following are the names of the external affairs minister that played crucial roles in Nigeria’s foreign policy:

• Dr Jaja Nwachukwu (1962-65)
• Alhaji Nuhu Bamali (1965-66)
• Dr Okoi Arikpo, commissioner for external affairs (July 1966-July 1975)
• Major-General Joseph Garba (1975-1979)
• Major-General Henry Adefope (January 1979-September 1979)
• Professor Ishaya Audu (1979-1983)
• Chief Emeka Anyaoku (October-December 1983)
• Professor Ibrahim Gambari (1984-1985)
• Professor Bolaji Akinyemi (1985-1987)
• 10.Major-General Ike Nwachukwu (1987-89 and 1990-92)
• 11.Alhaji Rilwan Lukman (1989-1990)

The government of Abacha was dominated by Chief Tom Ikimi as the country’s foreign affairs minister. The current external affairs minister is Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru.

Formulation of Nigeria’s Foreign Policy

1. Formulation: The president of the country is technically responsible for Nigeria’s foreign policy.
2. Consultations: Consultations are made with Nigeria’s diplomats abroad, experts in the universities, the business community, leaders of thought, etc before taking decisions.
3. The minister and the ministry of external affairs: The presidency is assisted in policy formulation by the minister and officials of the ministry of external affairs as well as experts at Nigeria’s Institute of International Affairs.
4. Clear and practical policies: Adoption of clear and practical policies regarding Africa with view to bringing about co-operation and progress to all African states.
5. Friendship and co-operation: The country maintains friendship and co-operation with other nations of the world that respect their territorial sovereignty.
6. Independence of African states: Helping non-independent African states to achieve total independence confirming the statement that Africa is the centerpiece of Nigeria’s foreign policy.
7. Respect for territorial integrity: Nigeria has respect for other states based on the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other states.
   
8. Peaceful resolution of crises: Joining other states to find peaceful resolution to crisis in ECOMOG, troops in Liberia, Sierra-Leone, etc.