AFRICA AS THE CENTREPIECE OF NIGERIA’S FOREIGN POLICY

One of the factors that affected Nigeria’s foreign policy is her geographical
location. By the virtue of the country been situated in Africa, Nigeria had since
independence made Africa the focus of her foreign policy. The concept ‘Africa as
the centrepiece of Nigeria’s foreign policy’ therefore connotes that matters/issues
concerning Africa or African states are at the core of her foreign policy
formulation and implementation. The origin of the concept can be traced to the
first republic during Tafawa Balewa’s administration which maintained that since
Nigeria belongs to Africa, therefore, the country must pursue realistic African
policies. This means that Africa should be given a place of pride in Nigeria’s
foreign policy formulation. Since then on, successive governments in the country
had pursued this policy in practical terms.
Principles of Africa as the Centrepiece of Nigeria’s Foreign Policy
i. The belief in the sovereignty and equality of African states.
ii. Developing programmes for possible assistance to other African states and
fostering understanding among them.
iii. Working towards the decolonisation of parts of African continent still under
colonial rule.
iv. Respect for and non-interference in the domestic affairs of other African
states.
v. To oppose aggression, support the demand for restoration of fundamental
human rights in Africa and the world in general.
vi. To support the struggle against apartheid policy and its eradication in South
Africa.
vii. Promoting friendly association among independent African states.

Reasons for the Adoption of Africa as the Centrepiece of Nigeria’s Foreign

Policy
1 Geographical location. Since Nigeria is located in Africa, it is natural that
sister African states receive her attention first.
2 Nigeria’s large size and population; and her enormous wealth.
3 Decolonisation of African states.
4 Prevention of ideological rivalries. To prevent Africa from becoming the
theatre of ideological rivalries going on in the world and its crises.
5 Provision of assistance to other African states and fostering of understanding
among them.
6 To enhance and sustain inter-territorial communication and transportation on
the continent.
 7 To promote friendly association, cooperation and unity of purpose among
independent African states.
8 To defend the independence and territorial integrity of African states.
9 To oppose any form of aggression and support the demand for fundamental
human rights in Africa.
10 To maintain peace and order in Africa.
11 To play leadership role on the continent.
12 To enhance the prestige of Nigeria in Africa and in the international scene.
13 To reciprocate the support given to Nigeria by OAU during Nigeria civil
war.

How Nigeria has Demonstrated that Africa is the Centrepiece of her Foreign
Policy Implementation
1. Anti-racism and anti-colonialism: Nigeria believes in the eradication of
racism and colonialism in all parts of Africa and had supported liberation
movements and their struggles in Angola, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia,
etc.
2. Friendly relations: Nigeria has established friendly relations with all
African states.
3. Unity and solidarity: The country had been committed to the promotion of
African unity and solidarity.
4. Encouragement of democracy: She encouraged democratic rule in all parts
of Africa, for example, in Liberia and Sierra Leone.
5. Assistance to African states: Nigeria is providing technical aid and
expertise to sister African states.
6. Diplomatic missions: Nigeria has established more diplomatic missions in
Africa.
7. Promotion of peace: She is committed to the promotion of peace in Africa.
8. Resolution of conflicts: Nigeria believes in the resolution of conflicts in
Africa by Africans and had shown this by her peace-keeping mission in
Congo, championing the formation of ECOWAS Monitoring Group
(ECOMOG), etc.
9. Economic cooperation: Nigeria is involved in promoting intra-African
economic cooperation. For example, formation of Economic Community of
West African States (ECOWAS) in 1975 and African Economic Community
(AEC) in 1991.
10.Support for OAU: Successive governments in Nigeria have given various
support and assistance to OAU whether financial, economic, political and
diplomatic.
11.Speaking with one voice: Nigeria encourages and influences other African
states to speak with one voice on international issues at international fora
such as UNO, OAU, Commonwealth of Nations, etc.
12.Severing relationship: Nigeria severed relationship with countries which
support racism and aggression within the African continent.