Nigeria’s Foreign Policy Before Buhari: Global Expectations Amid Domestic and Regional Challenges

This research paper examines the challenges facing Nigeria's foreign policy since its return to electoral democracy in 1999, arguing that domestic instability and leadership failures have undermined its regional and global influence.

• Since 1999, Nigeria has struggled to maintain the assertive foreign policy it held during the 1970s and 1980s, leading to questions regarding its status as a 'pivotal state' or 'regional hegemon'. This decline is attributed to a chaotic post-1999 political economy influenced by fluctuating oil prices, economic hardships, and the failure to address the Boko Haram insurgency.
• Nigeria's global and continental influence has diminished, evidenced by a lack of clout following its January 2014 election to the UN Security Council and a loss of pre-eminence to South Africa as 'the voice of Africa'. This is linked to a failure to evolve foreign policy beyond anti-apartheid and decolonisation agendas and the inability of the Jonathan administration to combat Boko Haram.
• The author argues that Nigeria must democratise its public policymaking process, including foreign policy, and establish strong leadership to build a diversified economy and stronger institutions to align domestic realities with global ambitions.

APA

Aduwo, K. (2016). Nigeria’s Foreign Policy Before Buhari: Global Expectations Amid Domestic and Regional Challenges. South African Institute of International Affairs. https://saiia.org.za/research/nigerias-foreign-policy-before-buhari-global-expectations-amid-domestic-and-regional-challenges/

Chicago

Aduwo, Kunle. Nigeria’s Foreign Policy Before Buhari: Global Expectations Amid Domestic and Regional Challenges. South African Institute of International Affairs, 2016. https://saiia.org.za/research/nigerias-foreign-policy-before-buhari-global-expectations-amid-domestic-and-regional-challenges/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Aduwo |first1=Kunle |title=Nigeria’s Foreign Policy Before Buhari: Global Expectations Amid Domestic and Regional Challenges |publisher=South African Institute of International Affairs |date=7 December 2016 |url=https://saiia.org.za/research/nigerias-foreign-policy-before-buhari-global-expectations-amid-domestic-and-regional-challenges/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{aduwo2016nigerias, author = {Aduwo, Kunle}, title = {{Nigeria’s Foreign Policy Before Buhari: Global Expectations Amid Domestic and Regional Challenges}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2016}, month = dec, url = {https://saiia.org.za/research/nigerias-foreign-policy-before-buhari-global-expectations-amid-domestic-and-regional-challenges/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }