SUMMARY
In treating this problem as assumption was made that the dismal participation of women in Nigeria's political development became a worrisome phenomenon when after four consecutive successful legitimate change of government through democratic electoral process following the nation's return to civilian regime in 1999; Nigeria fails to achieve the critical mass of 30% women's representation in the National Assembly. Like other countries in the world, women constitute half of the Nigeria's population, yet this numerical strength of Nigerian women does not translate to increase in women's participation in political activities in the country. To justify this assumption, relevant literature and other related documents were reviewed and analysed and the result shows that there are interfaces between foreign pronouncements and domestic politics.
The study further carryout an in-depth analysis on women participation in party politics in Nigeria. And how Party politics in a large number of cases, is the launching pad into political positions in most Democracies. Observations were done on past and present women participation in party politics in Nigeria, especially powerful women who held political positions as exemplified by the lives of Madam Tinubu of Lagos, Queen Amina of Zaria, Margaret Ekpo of Calabar and Funmilayo Kuti. Historical background of Nigeria’s foreign policy. The regime of General Yakubu Gowon, marked the switch of foreign policy focus in Africa. It was Gowon who first formalized Africa as “the centre piece of Nigeria’s Foreign Policy”. General Babangida made a radical shift in foreign affairs by initiating a policy of “Economic Diplomacy” anchored on the Structural Adjustment Programme. As a result of domestic problems, the international community treated Nigeria as a Parish state during General Abacha’s regime. The regime swung to the East, Asia and Islamic nations.
It is observable from the discussion in this chapter that Nigeria’s foreign policy in the Fourth Republic experienced its zenith under President Obasanjo. Subsequent administrations could not equal the achievements of his administration. Thus, since his exit from power, Nigeria’s foreign policy has not been as assertive as it should be. The major foreign policy thrusts highlighted in the Fourth Republic could be seen as trial and error attempts. This is coupled with the fact that Nigeria’s foreign policy in the Fourth Republic bears convergence with that of the Second Republic, replete with inherent domestic issues bedeviling the successful implementation of foreign policy. Some of the major unresolved issues in Nigeria’s foreign policy in the Fourth Republic that have been identified include: domestic challenges, Nigerians in diaspora, image crisis, and reciprocity. While these are not the only issues identifiable, this study choose to analyze these four in order to unravel the prospects for Nigeria’s foreign policy (once they can be tackled). Prior to the Fourth Republic, Nigeria remained a force in regional affairs because of its bold foreign policy stance and its ability to assert hegemonic influence over states within the region.
The study raveled the emergence of Olusegun Obasanjo administration and how he began by redirecting the economic diplomacy initiative of the previous years to present a new image for Nigeria, with a view to attracting foreign investment and debt relief, but still an eye on core African issues.
The findings revealed that Nigeria’s foreign policy has since independence been consistently guided by the same principles and objectives.
- In the pursuit of these principles and objective, Nigeria’s foreign policy initiatives and actions have been defined by one firm and constant variable, i.e the protection of the country’s national interest.
- The impact of dominant personalities in history of Nigeria as the head of state or government has shaped Nigeria’s foreign policy. In term of peace and security, the mistake of the past is still there, the private sector have not been mobilize to carryout rehabilitation and reconstruction needs of that region with Nigeria goods and products.
- In sum, there is need to observe that a good foundation has been laid since 1999 for a new policy direction. The present democratic dispensation which was re-affirmed in 2003 and her integration into the International Community, has strengthened Nigeria’s credentials to play a beneficial role in transformation the OAU into AU and into effective instrument for maintaining peace and security on continent. She played, and continues to play a leading role in the creation and sustainability of NEPAD which is aimed at transformation Africa’s socio-economic condition. Within the country, there are been a transformation of the political economy, the most important development being the launching of NEEDS to consolidate good governance and lay the basis for sustainable development.
From the foregoing, we have established the fact that the premise for taking about Nigeria’s foreign policy of the future is the range of changes in the country’s domestic and external circumstances. Domestically, Nigeria has become a fledgling but determined democracy; she has become increasingly endowed with a resilient and vibrant civil society, which insists on being reckoned with in public affairs; and she has also embarked on economic restructuring that has paved way for emergence of the private sector as a critical player, in partnership with the state, in the economic affairs of Nigeria.
Externally, a lot of philosophical and ideological transformation has taken place. Decolonization and the problem of self – determination have become issues of the past. And the emergent foreign policy challenges for Africa, today, since the completion of decolonization and the fall of apartheid are the consummation of African solidarity /integration the achievement of a just world order, and the sustenance of the principle and practice of multi-lateralism in the global milieu, especially with regard to the maintenance of the supranational authority and the influence of United Nations Security Council is responding to global issues and problems. These global issues and problems have since been enlarged by today’s phenomenon of globalization; the seeming compressing of the world and the increasing trend in global consciousness. This poses a great challenge for the future of Nigeria’s foreign policy because the resilience of any country’s foreign policy derives essentially from the strength of her domestic base.
