International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume III, Issue VI, June 2019 | ISSN 2454–6186

National Interest and Nigeria’s Foreign Policy: An Evaluation of Goodluck Jonathan’s Administration, 2011-2015

Sam Ugwuozor¹, Ejike Sylvester Nnaji²

¹Department of Political Science, Godfrey Okoye University, Ugwuomu-Nike Enugu, Nigeria
²Department of Political Science Godfrey Okoye University, Enugu, Nigeria

Abstract – Foreign policy is a projection of a nation’s national interest and domestic demands. Premised on the fact that the world has become a global village and that no nation can survive in isolation, Nigeria as a country has and must continue to interact with other countries of the world. Consequently, Nigeria as a sovereign nation must ascertain the goal(s) it desires to achieve in the course of its interaction with other nations of the world. This desire(s) must revolve around its domestic demands also known as national interest which include national security and the welfare of its citizens. The study was therefore tasked with a critical appraisal of Nigeria’s Foreign Policy under President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration (2011-2015) in line with the nation’s national interest. The study examined the link between Nigeria’s foreign policy and her national interest under Goodluck Jonathan’s administration; to find out if Nigeria’s foreign policy engendered national development in Nigeria under his administration; and finally, to ascertain if Nigeria’s domestic politics influenced Nigeria’s foreign policy within the period under review. The study made use of documentary method of data collection while relying on secondary sources of data collection. The study was guided by the systems theory as a framework of analysis. In the light of the research findings, the researcher recommended among others: Nigeria should reposition its Afrocentric foreign policy from the standpoint of prestige and status to reflect its national interest. In other words, they should continue to invest in African countries but in a way that will guarantee the return of investment; economically and otherwise.

Keywords: National Interest, Foreign Policy, Diplomacy, Goodluck Jonathan’s Administration

I. INTRODUCTION

Nigeria as a sovereign state has continued to interact with other nations of the world since her independence in 1960. This interaction is guided by her foreign policy objectives as succinctly outlined in the past and present constitutions of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. To effectively pursue these objectives, the ministry of external affairs was created with Jaja Nwachukwu as the first substantive minister of this institution, thanks to the former prime minister Alhaji Tafawa Belewa who also served in that capacity until he relinquished the mantle to Jaja Nwachukwu in 1961.