Diplomatic and Military Co-operations in Nigeria’s Foreign Policy

Abstract

The principle of non-intervention is part of customary international law; its foundation is based upon the concept of respect for the territorial sovereignty of states. It is against this backdrop that Nigeria from 1960 pursued modest foreign policy aims. Leaders were primarily concerned with internal consolidation of the new federal state. It was a period Nigeria held the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other states as a creed; other principles such as the legal equality of states, and boundary inviolability were equally held sacrosanct. In Africa and particularly the West African sub-region, Nigeria gave preference to the policy of “good-neighborliness.” But surprisingly, over time, the illegality of intervening in sovereign states has changed, as measured by changes in international law. In recent years, international law has adopted an increasingly permissive posture towards this form of coercive diplomacy. How did Nigeria respond to these changes? Why should sub-regional concerns lend to Nigeria’s apparent willingness to violate its longstanding principle of non-interference in other African states’ internal affairs. Why has Nigeria taken it as a rule to employ its armed forces in operations in total or limited war beyond its territorial borders? It is this attempt to examine Nigeria’s application of diplomatic and military power- two instruments of its foreign policy - that necessitates this study.