PUEBLO ROMANO

3. Military Factor: The ultimate arbitrator in cases of interactions and disputes between states is military force. States that are more militarily powerful usually hold the day. The possession of seaports and aircrafts for the purpose of war can be used for adventurous foreign policy. A well-trained, well-equipped and well fed military personnel are much effective in decisive military action. More importantly, intelligent people should be in change of military decisions.

In the absence of a reasonably credible military, Nigeria is challenged to pursue a dynamic, revolutionary or radically progressive foreign policy. Due to lack of national military industrial complex, the Nigerian military ahs had to rely on institutions for its inventory. Because the Nigerian military relies on the West Countries.

3. Geopolitical Location of the Country: The position and location also influences the foreign policy of a state. The physical resources of such countries can also determine their behaviour in the external world. A country that has access to the Sea is more endowed and advantageous than a land locked one. In this context Nigeria has access to the sea and as such, it has a geo-political advantage. This can be a reason that land-locked states like Chad and Nigeria would not afford a hostile foreign policy posture vis-à-vis. Nigeria, on the other hand, a combination of national power including geo-political location afford Nigeria to position itself as a rallying point in African regional affairs.

4. Biographic Factors: This refers to the character and culture of the governing elite. A major determinant of Nigeria's foreign policy is the character of the political leadership whether in a democratic or authoritarian rule. The dynamism or otherwise, the ideology or self-interest of the rulers all influence a country's foreign policy in varying degrees. For instance, during the first republic, Balewa's foreign policy was largely conservative and pro-Western, whereas the Mohammed/Obasanjo government had a dynamic, active and aggressive foreign policy posture in the late 1970s.

5. Public Opinion and Pressure Groups: Governments whether socialist, communist, capitalist, democratic or military do not take decisions which are largely at variance with the wishes of the generality of the people including the civil society, the press, civil servants, trade unions, academics and so forth. In a democratic society, the position of the opponent is also taken into account. Again the abrogation of the Anglo-Nigerian Defense Pact of 1962 represented government's response to group pressure. However, as a practical matter, Nigerian decision makers have often formulated on an exclusive basis, relying mainly on the kitchen cabinet.

6. Demographic Factor: Population constitutes an important indicator of a country's power potential and thus influences its foreign policy. The human resources and even more important, the quality of the population all influence a country's foreign policy. The articulate nature of the citizenry, for instance, influences the foreign policy decisions that are taken on certain sensitive issues.

The more enlightened the citizens, the higher their level of understanding of foreign issues and the greater their willingness to influence government decisions on those issues. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan was rejected by Nigeria in 1986 following intensive debate by intellectuals and other pressure groups of whom the implications of the loan for the country was understood.

7. Domestic Political Situation: A stable political system is necessary for pursing a dynamic and coherent foreign policy. The political instability of the 1960s marred Nigeria intention to play actively in global politics, and again between 1985 and 1999, the same was the case by the same reason.

3.4.2 External Environment

1. International Law: International Laws have implications for external behaviour of countries. There are laid down rules, and regulations that guide interaction between and among states in the international arena. Sanctions can be applied to erring states. Hence, foreign policy of Nigeria is guided by International law.

2. The Cold War and New Understanding: Nigeria achieved independence at the height of the Cold War between the East and the West. As a result, Nigeria opted for the non-aligned posture to guide her foreign policy the cold war seem to have ended. We are witnessing a new era of understanding between the East and the West, as they are now talking of co-operation and collaboration and away from confrontation. In a world dominated by one country often through the instrumentalities of the United Nations, the non-aligned movement would have to define its future.

3. The United Nations: The principles and objectives of United Nations influence the foreign policy of Nigeria. The character for example, recommend peaceful settlement of disputes, collective security, friendly relations among nations, respect of territorial integrity and non-interference to all member nations.

4. Foreign Aid: Foreign aid is often used to influence the foreign policies of stakeholders. Thus, the instrumentalities of economic aid does dilute the foreign policies of African counties including Nigeria in relation to the Aid donors.

Q2 What is the role of Non-alignment in the conduct of Nigeria's foreign policy.

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Possible Answers

Q1 Answer found in 3.1 Q2 Answer found in 3.3 4.0 CONCLUSION

This course is limited to the Nigerian foreign policy posture in response to the nature and character of the external environment at any given time. This is underpinned by all the factors whether Natural or human which are at her disposal.

It tries to reconcile these resources with her needs, values and preferences in foreign policy conduct.

5.0. SUMMARY

The unit focuses on Nigeria's foreign policy, the factors and influences that are considered in shaping the instruments. It focuses on the country's foreign policy objectives, principles and determinants keeping in view its natural location and manifest destiny both at the sub-regional, and level and also in the world.

6.0 TUTOR-MARKED ASSIGNMENT

Q1 What are the objectives of Nigeria's foreign Policy?

Q2 Write on any five principles of Nigeria's foreign policy?

Q3 Write any four domestic determinant of Nigeria's foreign policy Q4 Policy that you have learnt, what do your understand by Domestic

Environment?

Each answer carries 2 ½ marks. The total score is 10 marks.

7.0 REFERENCES/FURTHER READING

Imobinghe, T. A. "African Defense and Security: An Overview". Nigerian Forum (April 1981: 88-71, and A. Bolaji Akinyemi, "Foreign Policy, Defense and the New Consciousness." Ibid. pp. 73-76.

Knorr, Klaus, Power and Wealth: The Political Economy of International Power (New York: Basic Books, 1973).

Legun, Colin, Pan-Africanism: A Short Political Guide, 2^nd Rev.ed. (New York:

Praeger, 1965).

Mazrui, Ali A. Towards A Pax Africana: A study in Ideology and Ambition (London: Weidenfield and Nicolson, 1967).

Ogwu, J. Nigerian Foreign Policy: Alterative Future (Lagos: Macmillan Publishers, 1986).

Olajide, A. Essays in Nigerian Foreign Policy (London: George, Allen and Union, 1981).

Report on the situation of Nigeria/Chad Territorial Dispute over Islam of Lake Chad by M. A. Kurfi, Ag. CP (B) Admin. FHQ. The Nigeria Police Force Headquarters, Lagos, 30, December, 1983.

The OAU Lagos Plan for Action for the Economic Development of Africa 1980 2000 (Geneva International Institute for labour studies 1981)

UNIT 2 AFRICA AS THE CENTRE-PIECE OF NIGERIA’S FOREIGN