IRS 402: Nigerian Foreign Policy

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, the students should be able to:

1. appreciate that Africa is the centre piece of Nigeria’s foreign policy;
2. discuss Nigeria’s leadership role in African Affairs, including the dismantling of the

apartheid system in South Africa;

• analyse Nigeria’s non-aligned policy;
• explain Nigeria’s decision to break diplomatic relations with Israel in 1973;
• evaluate Nigeria’s decision to recognise the MPLA Movement in Angola; and
• examine Nigeria’s decision to abrogate the Anglo-Nigerian Defence Pact in 1962.

Course Contents

Basic principles underlying Nigeria’s foreign policy. Nigeria’s role in Africa, her relations with the Great Powers, and her role in the UN. And the Commonwealth, ECOWAS and many others.   Major factors, internal and external, shaping the foreign policy of Nigeria. The role of political parties, the press, parliament, public opinion in formulation of policy, the role of the foreign service, and Federal Executive Council in the foreign policy process. Presidential system and Nigerian foreign policy under the Second Republic. The role of the Executive office of the President and many others. Selected cases. Decisions to abrogate the Anglo- Nigerian Defence Pact 1962. the decision to break diplomatic relations with Israel in October 1973. The decision to recognize the MPLA government in November 1975. policy towards Southern Africa. Africa as the Centre-piece of Nigeria’s foreign policy, Nigeria’s decision to turn to the Middle East under Abacha.