Nigeria’s Leader Role in African Union Under President Muhammadu Buhari 2015-2019
CHAPTER ONE
OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
The main objective of this study is to examine Nigeria’s leader role in African union under president Muhammadu Buhari 2015-2019
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
Nigeria’s Foreign Policy
A review of Nigeria’s foreign policy positions over the years does point up a number of philosophical-conceptual building blocks which are strongly related to the state of the international environment. Within the context of decolonization, “self-determination and self-government” were core philosophical principles that informed the country’s foreign policy. As the country matured as an independent and sovereign nation, other philosophical principles that became part of Nigeria’s foreign policy fundamentals are enlightened national interest, African solidarity, interdependence, internationalism, asymmetric world order and supranational authority (Ogwu, 2005:7).
Indeed, Chapter 2, Section 19 of the 1999 Constitution, which is the fundamental objectives and directive principles as provided in Section 19 (a-e) encapsulates the Nigeria’s foreign policy objectives to include: (a) promotion and protection of the national interest; (b) promotion of African integration and support for African unity; (c) promotion of international cooperation for the consolidation of universal peace and mutual respect among all nations, and elimination of discrimination in all its manifestations; (d) respect for international law and treaty obligations as well as the seeking of settlement of international disputes by negotiation, mediation, conciliation, arbitration and adjudication; and (e) promotion of a just world order (1999 Constitution of the FGN; Akindele, 2013:13; Saliu, 2013:171).
To be sure, it is generally asserted that there has been continuity in the substantive content or focus, meaning the principal objectives of Nigeria’s foreign policy, since independence (Akinyemi, 1989; Akindele, 1990; Isah, 1991; Akinboye, 1993; Gambari, 1986; Saliu, 1999; Obiozor, 2007; Ayam, 2010; Akinboye, 2013). It is further stated that whatever difference there is or has been, is, by and large, a matter of style, emphasis, personality, institutional reform, and historical circumstances within and outside Nigeria. Solomon Akinboye boldly reaffirms the above submission, thus:
It is very clear that there is continuity across regimes in spite of changes in the pursuit of national interest. There is constancy in Nigeria’s foreign policy objectives and foreign relations from the civilian regime of Prime Minister Abubakar Tafawa Balewa to President Goodluck Jonathan (Akinboye, 2013:13).
The pursuit of Nigerian foreign policy began in earnest after the attainment of independence in October 1, 1960. In the foreign policy statements made in August and December 1960 respectively, the first Prime Minister of Nigeria, Tafawa Balewa, outlined some objectives of the country’s foreign policy. These objectives or goals of the Nigerian foreign policy have consistently been maintained despite numerous changes in government. At independence, the country’s foreign policy sought to achieve the following objectives: promotion of the economic well-being of Nigerians and Africans; promotion of Nigeria’s territorial integrity; eradication of all forms of racism and colonialism from African continent; protection of the rights of black men all over the world; and promotion of international peace and security (Ogwu, 1986:8; Olusanya and Akindele, 1986:3-5).
However, the philosophical foundation of Nigeria’s foreign policy in the first republic was not unconnected to the country’s colonial experience, the nature and structure of the world system, and the vocabulary of politics. It is the combination of these interrelated factors that provides the sources of the philosophical foundations of the country’s foreign policy, at a time when the anti-colonial struggle and the crisis of collective racial identity of colonized peoples were critical issues in world politics (Jinadu, 2005).
Despite these lofty aspirations, Nigeria’s foreign policy in the First Republic has often been generally described as timid, docile, ambivalent, dissonant, indecisive and inert (Akinboye, 2013:5). The colonial legacy which restricted the policy options of the immediate post-independence leaders, the relative poverty of the country at the time, the lack of experience in international affairs, the conservative outlook of the prime minister Tafawa Balewa and other members of his cabinet, and serious domestic divisions which led the regions to open different consulates abroad are some of the reasons that have been advanced for the low-profile foreign policy (Idang, 1973; Aluko, 1981; Osaghae, 2002).
CHAPTER THREE
BUHARI ELECTION AND HIS PROGRAMS
General elections were scheduled to take place in Nigeria on February 16, 2019, to elect the president, vice president, and members of the National Assembly. These elections was the sixth quadrennial elections since the end of military rule and the beginning of the country’s transition to democratic governance in 1999. The elections were postponed until Saturday, February 23, 2019, and four days later the country’s Independent National Electoral Commission officially declared incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari as the winner with 56 percent of the votes to opposition leader Atiku Abubakar’s 41 percent.
In postponing the election, the chairman of the electoral commission, Mahmood Yakubu, indicated that the commission had undertaken a “careful review of the implementation of the logistics and operation plan” and that in order “to conduct free, fair, and credible elections,” it had come “to the conclusion that proceeding with the election as scheduled [was] no longer feasible.”
Critics of the commission’s decision to delay the vote say that the postponement was probably part of the incumbent government’s effort to manipulate the poll to its advantage. At the very least, the sudden postponement created, in the minds of many people especially those in the opposition—the appearance of unfairness and corruption.
CHAPTER FOUR
BUHARI FOREIGN POLICY
The New President M. Buhari has also made series of trips abroad in a bid to restore to lost glory. His recent travel has led him to four out of the five countries of the UN. Security Council. And his supposed fight against terrorism has given a new dimension to Nigerians foreign policy as his main aim is; fight corruption, economic development and the fight against terrorism. These however are still under view
Under the leadership of President Muhammad Buhari, Nigeria assumed leadership of several international organizations like the ECOWAS, African Union (AU) and G- 77.
The foreign policy direction by the Buhari administration intended to address and redress the perceived inadequacy inherent in concentricism African centred foreign policy): which was the fact that “concentricism was not at all an objective but a means; it was more or less a foreign policy tactic that had not been fully taken advantage of; and as a means to an end, concentricism had to have focus” Oluyemi O, Fayomi F, Chidozie A, Ajayi A (2015).
Consequently, Buhari’s foreign policy was largely shaped by the above philosophy, which guided his diplomatic approaches to issues in regional and global politics. He nonetheless, set out in achieving this lofty principle through a number of approaches. The most visible was his deliberate decision to personally embark on shuttle political diplomacy, earning him the title of the most travelled Nigerian Head of State in Oluyemi Oluyemi O, Fayomi F, Chidozie A, Ajayi A (2015).
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
SUMMARY
This study supported that Nigeria’s Foreign Policy under Buhari’s administration has significantly boosted the global image of Nigeria.
CONCLUSION
Therefore we conclude that the foreign policies establish and focused on by the Buhari’s administration had a positive impact and implication on the global image of Nigeria as clearly stated in the preceding chapters . The aspect of the finding that is perhaps surprising to the researchers is that high number of literature reviews and scholar works think the image of Nigeria globally is negative and an almost equally the same number think the image of Nigeria globally is good. It is therefore apt to say that since the majority of literatures agreed that the Nigerian foreign policy under Buhari has helped to shape the image of Nigeria globally hence public relations should be effectively integrated and should be involved in the formulation of policies as they concern the international community.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Based on the findings from secondary data collected, the following recommendations have been made: A major reorganization of the Foreign Service such that positions of the Ambassadors and other key positions will no longer be politicized. Only career diplomats and practitioners who understand the nuances of international relations and global politics should be appointed into those sensitive positions and offices. The present administration should holistically address the economic challenges confronting the nation. The economy needs to be attuned to the realities of globalizations, as such, the economic diplomacy of the present administration need to be directed towards addressing contemporary challenges in the society. The place of Nigerians in the Diaspora towards nation building in the new world order should be recognized, encourages and emphasized. This is because they have a prominent role in advancing the foreign policy of the country, as such, they ought to be given adequate diplomatic attention. The federal government must ensure that recruitment into the ministry of Foreign Affairs should hence forth be based on merit alone. Special trainings in international relations at the Masters level and in other related areas should be encouraged as this will further equip and arm the officers with all they need to properly discharge their duties. Effective public relations practitioners should be integrated into government especially in the case of international relations in order to effectively boost the image of the country abroad. There is the need for a strong strategic plan and long term projection of the nation’s foreign policy posture with a view to fashioning out a roadmap for Nigeria’s diplomacy. Nigeria’s foreign policy in contemporary context must be premised solely on national interest with emphasis on national security and welfare, regional and global peace, as well as robust multilateral diplomacy that is tailored along strong strategic partnership with friendly states in the global arena.
References
- Obi E (2006) Nigeria’s Foreign Policy and International Relations Theories. Vector Publishers, Onitsha.
- Federal Ministry of Information (2012) External publicity and Nigeria’s Foreign Policy. Lagos: The Nigerian institute of International Affairs (NIIA).
- Akinterinwa BA (2004) Concentricism in Nigeria’s foreign. Vantage publishers limited, Ibadan.
- Nwankwo O (2013) Shifting the Paradigm in Nigeria’s Foreign Policy: Goodluck Jonathan and Nigeria’s vision 20:2020.Social Sciences, Science Publishi ng Group 2: 212-221.
- Wogu IAP, Sholarin MA, Chidozie FC (2013) A critical Evaluation of Nigeria’s Foreign Policy at 53. Journal of Research on Humanities and Social Sciences 5: 137-147.
- Chibundu VN (2003) Foreign Policy with Particular Reference to Nigeria (1960-2002). Spectrum books Ltd, Ibadan.
- Yaqub N (2004)The millennium development goals and the sustainability of Nigeria’s Foreign Policy in the 21st century. Vintage publishers, Ibadan.
- Oluyemi O, Fayomi F, Chidozie A, Ajayi A (2015)Nigeria’s national image and her foreign policy: An exploratory approach. Open Journal of Political Science 5: 180-196.
- Agbu O (2009)Nigerian Foreign Policy Under President Umaru Musa Yar’adua: Challenges and prospects. The Nigerian Institute of International affairs (NIIA), Lagos.
- Chidozie F, Ibietan J, Ujara E (2014) Foreign Policy, International Image and National Transformation: A Historical Perspective. International Journal of Innovative Social Sciences & Humanities Research 2: 49-58.
- Alao A (2011) Nigeria and the global powers: Continuity and change in policy and Perceptions, South African Foreign Policy and African Drivers Programme. Occasional Paper Series (SAIIA)No 96.
- Ajaebili C (2011) The Option of Economic Diplomacy in Nigeria’s Foreign Policy. International Journal of Humanities and Social Science 1: 277-280
- Chukwuemeka E, Bartholomew U, Ugwu J (2012) Curbing Corruption in Nigeria: The imperatives of Good Leadership. Singaporean Journal of Business Economics and Management Studies 1: 61-81.
- Morton AK (2007) Theoretical systems and political realities: a review, System and process in Intenational Politics. University of Chicago, USA.