AN ASSESSMENT OF NIGERIA’S FOREIGN POLICY UNDER OLUSEGUN OBASANJO’S ADMINISTRATION (1999-2007)

ABSTRACT

This study has examined Nigeria’s foreign policy under President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration (1999-2007). Prior to Nigeria's independence in 1960, her foreign relations with the outside world were controlled by the British colonial government. Nigeria`s foreign relations from the First Republic under Abubukar Tafawa Balewa to the enthronement democratic governance in the Fourth Republic under President Olusegun Obasanjo in 1999 have been dynamic with a lot of continuities and changes. On assumption as a civilian president in 1999 when democracy was restored after many years of successive military incursion into politics and governance, Olusegun Obasanjo made diplomatic moves to redeem the shattered image of the country that was battered by General Sani Abacha`s military regime. These include lack of freedom of speech and press, the abuse of fundamental human rights and incessant killings of innocent citizens in 1990’s led to the imposition of international sanctions on Nigeria. Olusegun Obasanjo was able to redeem the lost glory of Nigeria in the international system through his shuttle diplomacy in which he transformed Nigeria`s relations with outside world in the political, economic and social sphere. This study has demonstrated that President Obasanjo’s shuttle diplomacy was not only successfully in re-building Nigeria’s image in international politics, but also improved her economy through debts cancellations, socio-cultural relations with other countries and making the country to play immense role in both African continent and global comity of nations. The study has analysed the domestic policies of the Obasanjo’s administration and how it shaped the country’s policy of partnership especially with the western powers which had positive implications for sustainable economic development between 1999 and 2007. The study has established that despite successes recorded by President Olusegun Obasanjo`s administration, his foreign relations through shuttle diplomacy it has been criticized for been expensive and neglecting domestic issues in foreign policy implementation. In sum, the study could infer that Nigeria has achieved significant gains through the foreign policy objectives and implementation of Obasanjo`s administration as evident in Nigeria’s increasing profile and playing major role in both bilateral and multilateral diplomatic relations in the global community.