The Role of Foreign Policy in the Management of National Security Under the Obasanjo’s Administration in Nigeria
CHAPTER ONE
OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
This study is geared towards achieving the following Objectives:
- To examine Nigeria’s foreign policy partnership with the United States under President Obasanjo’s Administration from 1999 to 2007, with emphasis on the management of Nigeria’s national security in the Niger Delta region.
- To critically assess Obasanjo’s defence policy partnership with the United States and the implication of this partnership for Nigeria’s national security between 1999 – 2007.
- To evaluate those factors which accounted for the state of insecurity in Nigeria.
- To highlight those factors which militated against the successful management of national security challenges in the Niger Delta.
- To make recommendations based on the findings.
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
INTRODUCTION
The Nigeria’s relationship with international world started long before independence in 1960, under the colonial government, during which dependent Nigeria had no separate foreign policy outside of the British (Shitta. 201 0). During this time, the interest of Her Majesty, the Queen of England was the interest of the colonial Nigeria. The British colonial government, through its Governor General administered Nigeria’s foreign relations, which manifested in several ways, including the control of international trade. Determination of import and export duties for Nigerians, use of British colonial offices in other countries as bases for carrying on with external relations. Sending of Nigerian soldiers to fight in the Battle of Burma during the First World War, among other development (Idang, 1977; Ch1bundu, 2009).
The civilian regime of Olusegun Obasanjo in Nigeria pursued the same foreign policy and the same objectives adopted by various regimes right from the period of independence. Although the style tends to differ based on the idiosyncrasies of the number one citizen and his foreign affairs team, but the outcome has always remained basically the same. Promotion and protection of the national interests, promotion of African economic integration and support for African unity, promotion of international co-operation, respect for international law and settlement of international dispute are the major objectives of Nigeria’s foreign policy as enshrined in section 191 of the Nigerian constitution which various governments tried to adhere to in pursuance of the country’s foreign policy. The focus on Africa as the centre-piece of the country’s foreign policy has always been maintained right from 1960. Tafawa Balewa laid the foundation. Shortly after independence, he demonstrated his commitment to the course of Africa by sending a large contingent of Nigerian soldiers and policemen to take part in the UN peace-keeping operations in Congo.1 He also led the attack on South Africa’s domestic policy of Apartheid which segregated the South African population along racial lines.2 Subsequent regimes reinforced the African centred foreign policy in various ways such as playing a leading role in the formation of the Economic Community of West African State (ECOWAS), supporting the struggle for independence in Angola, Zimbabwe, and Namibia; Murtala/Obasanjo military regime played a significant role in the struggle. Hence, Olusegun Obasanjo still maintained Africa as the central place in the Nigeria’s worldview and policies when he returned as a civilian Head of State in 1999.
It is important to note that democracy is partly an instrument for good foreign relations. However, Nigeria lacked this instrument between 1983 and 28 May 1999. On 31 December 1983, General Muhammadu Buhari terminated the democratically elected government of Shehu Shagari and placed many Nigerians in detention without any plan for a transition to democracy. Omo Omoruyi posits that there was no readiness on the part of Buhari to return power to the civilians.6 Transition to democracy was not part of his agenda all through his stay in office before he was removed. The situation became worse under the leadership of Ibrahim Babangida due to his high level of deception. He gave different dates of handing over.7 He promised to hand over power four times: 1990, 1992, January 1993, and August, 1993 and four times he failed.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
RESEARCH DESIGN
The researcher used descriptive research survey design in building up this project work the choice of this research design was considered appropriate because of its advantages of identifying attributes of a large population from a group of individuals. The design was suitable for the study as the study sought to examine the role of foreign policy in the management of security under the Obasanjo’s administration.
SOURCES OF DATA COLLECTION
Data were collected from two main sources namely:
- Primary source and
- Secondary source
Primary source: Personal interview was conducted with banks various financial institutions in Rivers State metropolis.
Secondary source: The secondary formed the major theoretical part that was derived through critical review of library and also other related literature (material written by others researchers).
POPULATION OF THE STUDY
Population of a study is a group of persons or aggregate items, things the researcher is interested in getting information on the study the impact of monetary policy measures as an instrument of economic stabilization in Nigeria. 200 staffs Federal Ministry of National Planning, Abuja was selected randomly by the researcher as the population of the study.
CHAPTER FOUR
PRESENTATION ANALYSIS INTERPRETATION OF DATA
INTRODUCTION
Efforts will be made at this stage to present, analyze and interpret the data collected during the field survey. This presentation will be based on the responses from the completed questionnaires. The result of this exercise will be summarized in tabular forms for easy references and analysis. It will also show answers to questions relating to the research questions for this research study. The researcher employed simple percentage in the analysis.
DATA ANALYSIS
The data collected from the respondents were analyzed in tabular form with simple percentage for easy understanding.
A total of 133 (one hundred and thirty three) questionnaires were distributed and 133 questionnaires were returned.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
INTRODUCTION
It is pertinent to note that this research was aimed at assessing the contributions of foreign policy on national security in Nigeria, thus the topic “the role of foreign policy in the management of national security under the Obasanjo’s administration”.
In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations were made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing the challenges associated with national security in Nigeria.
SUMMARY
This study shows that insecurity in Nigeria has since independence became a national issue or headache, there is no doubt that foreign policy plays a critical role in the making of sub-regional security policy and in its implementation. The findings of this study has shown that, any time Nigeria does not participate or support a particular foreign security policy initiative, this policy is bound to fail. This is due to the considerable leverage Nigeria brings to the table in terms of military capabilities, strategic clarity and focus, material resources, as well as enormous political and diplomatic clout. The lack of Good Governance has been recognized as a major source of security challenges that Nigeria are being confronted with. Accordingly, while conventional security measures should continue to be improved upon, new frameworks ought to be developed to address the changing character of security challenges, particularly to human security.
CONCLUSION
This study was to examine the level of implementation of foreign policy in resolving security issues in the Obasanjo’s regime. The study shows that the Obasanjo era truly resented the second golden age of Nigeria’s foreign policy. The first era was during the General Murtala Muhammad administration, which he (Obasanjo) continued after the assassination of the former, in an attempted military coup in 1976. Barring all shortcomings, Nigeria regained a position in global reckoning, enjoyed considerable foreign direct investment, bounced back in African leadership and transited smoothly democratically. However, for Nigeria’s foreign policy to achieve its desired goals, proper institutions must be put in place and roles of the institutions must be properly defined? Skillful personnel should man these institutions and career diplomats alone be appointed for diplomatic missions. These would put the machines of external diplomacy vibrant and effusive. The anticipated results would become realizable. Although policymaking and implementation with little recourse to multiple institutions and offices have its own merits (which include quick decision making and implementation); but it may not be cost-effective in the long run because of the tendency for unilateral and arbitrary to boomerang.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Based on the findings of the study the following recommendations was suggested;
- The civilian political leadership should be more engaged strategically and meaningfully in the defense and security issues.
- More serious efforts should be made towards improving inter-agency co-operation and co-ordination for success in a world increasingly challenged by insecurity.
- The Nigeria leaders especially the foreign policy actors should always work with the consciousness of the fact that protection of lives of the citizens, the territorial boundary and the economic interests are among the core objectives of the foreign policy of every ideal nation all over the world.
- It is also necessary for competent people to be chosen as foreign policy actors for Nigeria. Rather than political maneuvering, competence should be the mode of appointing ministers, ambassadors, and other actors of external relations.
- To build an enviable foreign policy in Nigeria requires the concerted effort of both the leaders and the followers. But the leaders should always be aware that to whom much is given much is required.
REFERENCES
- Adebajo, A. (2008). Hegemony on a shoestring: Nigeria ‘s post-cold war foreign policy. In Adebajo. Adebajo A. & Mustapha A. R. (2008). Gulliver ‘s Troubles, Nigeria ‘s foreign policy after the Cold War. Scottsville: University of KwaZulu-Natal Press. Abbass Adam, (2012), Under Secretary, African Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja. Interviewed in Abuja on March, 13.
- Abati Reuben, The Gains of Jonathan Diplomacy, The Guardian, Sunday September 9, 2012 Adeniran, T. (1983). Introduction to imernational relativns. fbadan . Macmillan. Adeyemo. F. 0. (2002). Dynamics of Nigeria’s foreign policy 1993-1998. Festac Town, Lagos. Franc-Soba-Nigeria Limited .
- Akande D. (2001). Assessing two years of Obsanjo’s Administration. The Guardian (June 10) Akindele RA, (2003). Foreign policy in federal politics. A case study Nigeria. Lagos: World Press. Akinterinwa, B. A. (20 12). ”Overview ofNigeria’s foreign policy, 1960-2010: challenges and recommendations”. In Anyaoku E. Review of Nigeria ‘!!.foreign policy: issues and perspectives. Victoria Island. Nigerian Institute of International Affairs. Pp 15-34.
- A lao, A. (20 11 ). Nigeria and the global powers: c:ontinuity and change in policy and perceptions. South African Institute of International Affairs: African perspectives. Global insights. Occassional paper no 96. Amstutz, M. International R. ( 1999). conflict cooperation: An introduction to world politics. Boston Burr Ridge: McGraw-Hill College. Bamali Nuhu, (2007), Redefining Nigerias interest and Commitments in Peace Support Operations, in Akinterinwa Bola ., ed., Nigerias National Interests in a Globalising World: Further Reflections on Constructive and Beneficial Concentricism (Volume Three: Nigerias National Interests Beyong Nigeria), Ibadan, Bolytag International Publishers, pp. 68-109.
- Bassey C. O., (1993), Nigeria in ECOMOG: The Dilemma of Preventive Diplomacy in Jide Owoeye, ed., op. cit. Bassey C.O. (2011) The Challenge of Military Statecraft in Nigeria. In Bassey C.O. & Dokubo, Q.O., eds., Defence Policy of Nigeria: Capability and Context, A Reader, Bloomington, Author House. Blair, Tony, (2002) Nigeria Needs to Succeed, Speech by the British Prime Minister to the National Assembly, Abuja, February 7 in The Guardian, February 8, Lagos. Bobrow B. Davis, C.S, and Kringen J. Understanding Foreign Policy Decision: The Chinese case”. London: Collier Macmillan Publishers, 1979.
