NIGERIAN FOREIGN POLICY
SS 3
GOVERNMENT
FIRST TERM
LESSON NOTE SCHEME OF WORK
WEEKLY LESSON NOTE
SUBJECT: GOVERNMENT
WEEK 9
SUBJECT: GOVERNMENT
TOPIC: NIGERIAN FOREIGN POLICY
CONTENT
1. Meaning of Foreign policy
2. Factors affecting Nigerians foreign policy
3. Aims and objectives of Nigerians foreign policy
4. Nigerian foreign policy since independence
5. non-alignment
6. Nigeria and non-alignment
7. The challenges faced by Nigeria in its foreign policy
8. Strategies to overcome these challenges
9. Conclusion
SUBTOPIC 1: MEANING OF FOREIGN POLICY
Foreign policy refers to the strategy and tactics employed by a state in conducting her relationship with other states while pursuing her national interest.
Foreign policy is the overall strategy that a country uses when engaging with other countries around the world, both in terms of economic and political affairs.
It can also be referred to as a set of objectives which a government seeks to achieve through its relations with governments of other countries and international organizations.
Some of the factors that can influence a country’s foreign policy include its history and culture, geography, demographics and economy
Other key elements of foreign policy can include things like national security, alliances and international treaties
FACTORS AFFECTING NIGERIA’S FOREIGN POLICY
1. History: Nigeria has a strong link with Britain and some western European powers due to her colonial experience.
2. Geographical location: the location of Nigeria in west Africa determines her relationship with other countries.
3. Population: Nigeria is a diverse country with large population. This affects her foreign policy.
4. National interest: security of lives, territorial integrity and socio-economic developments are part of Nigeria National interest influence her foreign policy.
5. National resources: Nigeria has one of the largest concentrations of natural resources in the world. This greatly influences her foreign policy.
6. Public opinion: The general views of the people of Nigeria are often considered in her foreign policy objectives.
7. Military strength: Nigeria has relative military capabilities in Africa. This has been used to influence her foreign policy.
8. Membership of Nigeria in international organisation e.g AU, ECOWAS etc.
9. International laws, conventions and treaties.
10. The type of government in power can affect Nigerian foreign policy. For example, a military regime may focus more on national security and defence, while a democratic government may prioritize issues like human rights and the economy.
SUBTOPIC 2
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF NIGERIANS FOREIGN POLICY
1. The promotion of unity and solidarity among African states. For example, sponsoring many resolutions which led to the collapse of apartheid in south Africa.
2. The termination of racial, colonial and neo-colonial influences in Africa, e.g providing financial and military aid to the liberation movement in Africa.
3. Encouraging economic co-operation and self-reliance among Africa state.
4. Setting inter-state disputes and conflicts in Africa e.g setting disputes between Algeria and Morocco, Togo and Ghana etc.
5. Creating of pan-africa defence force in order to make Africa self-reliance in military matters.
6. Establishing diplomatic and friendly relations with all AU member states.
7. Provision of technical and manpower assistance to fellow African states
8. Room-Alignment to any power bloc.
9. Respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of other states.
10. Respect for international laws and treaty obligations.
NIGERIA’S FOREIGN POLICY SINCE INDEPENDENCE
1. Adoption of non-aligned policies with the power blocs – east or west
2. The belief in resolving inter – state disputes peacefully
3. Co-operating and entering into friendly relationship countries that respect her sovereignty.
4. The belief in the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other states. And according respect to the territorial integrity of other states in Africa.
5. Seeing Africa as the centre – piece of Nigeria’s foreign policy.
6. Ensuring a free social and politically stable Africa, this would provide the right environment for Nigeria to embark on self-reliant economic development.
7. Supporting peaceful co-existence amongst nations, the principle of sovereignty and territorial integrity among other principles espoused in international law.
8. Promoting a strong Africa that is economically prosperous, politically stable and self-reliant through regional integration, peacekeeping missions and conflict resolution activities.
SUBTOPIC 3
NON-ALIGNMENT
Non-alignment means the refusal of some countries, mainly former colonies, to take side with the ideological rivalries or cold war taking place between the world super powers and power blocs. i.e the socialist and the capitalist blocs.
Such countries wanted to remain active participants in international affairs without allegiance to any power bloc.
The movement was founded in 1961 in Belgrade, Yugoslevia by twenty five countries. The founding fathers included Jawaharal Nehru of India, Josip Tito of Yugoslavia, Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana and Gemel Abdel Nasser of Egypt.
SUBTOPIC 6
NIGERIA AND NON-ALIGNMENT
Initially, Nigeria did not show kin interest to the policy of non-alignment. She was relating more to the capitalist west than the socialist east. After independence in 1960, Nigeria decided to join the common wealth of nations under the leadership of Great Britain. Based on this we can see that Nigeria was neither neutral nor non-aligned. To confirm this, Nigeria was absent at the founding of the organisation. The signing of the Angola-Nigeria defence pact also showed Nigeria alignment with Britain and her European allies. By 1962/63 the attitude of Nigeria changed with the signing of the organisation of African Unity (OAU) charter in 1963 which declared the policy of non-alignment and appealed to OAU member states to attend the second meeting of the non-align movement taking place in Cairo, Egypt in 1964. Since then the country’s foreign policy has taken a new dimension, and Nigeria has surrender to the policy of non-alignment politically. Economically the country still depends on western economic institutions for management and financing.
EVALUATION
1. What is non-alignment
2. State five factors affecting Nigeria’s foreign policy
3. Mention five aims and objectives of Nigeria’s foreign policy
4. Explain the features of Nigeria’s foreign policy since independence
5. Define non-alignment
6. Explain the posture of Nigeria and non-alignment.
7. How was Nigeria’s foreign policy affected by the Cold War?
8. What impact did non-alignment have on Nigeria’s ties with other countries?
9. What challenges have been faced in implementing and maintaining this foreign policy over time?
GENERAL EVALUATION
1. Identify any six factors affecting Nigeria’s foreign policy
2. Highlight any four major objectives of the foreign policy of any one west African country.
3. Outline three reasons for adoption of Africa as the centre – piece of Nigeria’s foreign policy
4. Outline five major features of Nigeria’s foreign policy since independence
5. Give reasons to show that Nigeria is a non-aligned nation.
6. Discuss the impact that non-alignment has had on Nigeria’s relationships with other countries, both within and outside Africa.
7. One of the main factors affecting Nigeria’s foreign policy is its geopolitical position in West Africa and its proximity to major global powers such as France, the UK, the US
READING ASSIGNMENT: Read round up government by Ibiyemi Oyenenye et al. Pages 243 – 251
PRE –READING ASSIGNMENT: Read about international organisation such as UNO,
ECOWAS
WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT
OBJECTIVE TEST
1. Which of the following factors influences a country’s foreign policy (a) size of the country’s civil service (b) overall national interest of the country (c) capacity of the police force (d) type of traditional rulers in the country.
2. Which of the following best describes the foreign policy of west African countries during the cold war? (a) support for western bloc (b) support for eastern bloc (c) non-alignment with any power bloc (d) Allegience to Nazi government
3. Which of the following does not influence the foreign policy of a country (a) historical and cultural matters (b) ideological factors (c) economic factors (d) intra-party conflicts
4. The major defect of foreign policy in west Africa is (a) public opinion and pressure groups (b) military power (c) good economy (d) poor leadership
5. The foreign policy of a country is influenced by all the following factors except (a) size of the country (b) leadership style (c) educational system (d) economic system
6. The principle of non-alignment means that a country (a) is neutral in international trade (b) does not belong to any world organisation (c) does not belong to any of the power blocs. (d) has no diplomatic mission abroad
7. Which of the following is not a non-aligned country (a) Nigeria (b) Ghana (c) Egypt (d) India
8. The official ideology of the people’s republic of china is ___________________
9. People’s liberation party is the ruling party in the __________________
10. The foreign policy of a country is determined by all but one of the following factors except (a) economic situation (b) geographical location (c) social, political and cultural factors (d) military power
ANSWERS
1. c, 2. c, 3. a, 4. b, 5. d, 6. c, 7. d, 8. socialism, 9. Nigeria 10.c
ESSAY QUESTIONS
1. Define foreign policy
2. Identify any four factors affecting Nigeria’s foreign policy
Highlight three main objectives of the foreign policy of any west African country
