GLOBALIZATION AND NIGERIA’S FOREIGN POLICY: OPPORTUNITIES, CONSTRAINTS, AND STRATEGIC RESPONSES IN THE BUHARI ERA, 2015-2023
Keywords:
Economic Diplomacy, Foreign Policy Adaptation Theory, Buhari Administration, Global Integration, African International Relations, Oil DependencyAbstract
This study investigates the impact of globalization on Nigeria's foreign policy from 2015 to 2023, an era marked by increasing global interconnection, changes in political relations, and shifting priorities among developing nations. Globalization refers to the enhanced interdependence among nations through advancements in technology, global trade, movement of capital, and diplomatic collaboration on a multilateral scale. As a key political and economic player in Africa, Nigeria's foreign policy during this timeframe was influenced more by outside global factors than by a sense of isolation. During the duration of this research, globalization affected Nigeria's international interactions through demands for economic openness, compliance with global standards, and reactions to cross-border security issues. While globalization offered avenues for greater multilateral collaboration, foreign investments, and a leadership role in West Africa, it also revealed Nigeria's weaknesses, such as reliance on foreign markets, diminished ability to make independent policy decisions, and complicated border security challenges. From 2015 to 2023, Nigeria faced challenges like global economic fluctuations, terrorism and insurgency, commitments to regional integration, and the rise of new global power dynamics, necessitating ongoing adjustments in its diplomatic approach and foreign policy focus. By utilizing secondary data sources such as academic articles, policy papers, and government reports, the study illustrates that globalization influenced not only the aims of Nigeria’s foreign policy but also how it was structured and executed. The results highlight a dual effect characterized by enhanced global engagement coupled with increasing external limitations. The research concludes with suggestions for a more unified economic diplomacy approach, improved institutional capability, and proactive regional collaborations to leverage the advantages of globalization while protecting national sovereignty and pursuing long-term development objectives.References
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