Nigeria’s Consolidation of Foreign Policy Directive in West Africa: Some Major Challenges and Prospects

Abstract:

This paper discusses the Nigerian foreign policy in the West African sub-region and the attendant challenges. It focuses on the nature of this policy which is basically Afrocentric. The paper as a result dwelt on the idealism of the policy itself as some scholars posit in terms of the relations between Nigeria and these countries in the sub-region. The paper adopts the descriptive research from library instruments and findings show that, issues involved are quite pervasive and problematic to the effective projection of the country’s foreign policy in the sub-region. The examination of these issues, some of which are traceable to the country’s domestic economic and political setting have become pertinent in order to reduce the seeming misunderstanding and mistrust of Nigeria’s noble and progressive gesture towards her fellow African neighbors. The paper concludes that Nigerian foreign policy even in the West African Sub-region has been influenced by its African focus. This scenario inevitably conferred on the country, the status of a sub-regional leader in all ramifications. The paper recommends that the Nigerian authorities must regard and treat its West Africa neighbour as strategic. This has become important as it can be harnessed as a verifiable market for the country’s goods and services to the reduction of outside rivals.