AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA.

FACULTY OF ART & SOCIAL SCIENCE

DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS & DIPLOMACY

KANO DLS CENTRE

COURSE CODE : MIAD 808

COURSE TITLE: Comparative Foreign Policy

TUTOR:

Dr SA'ADIYA HALIMAT ADAMU

ASSIGNMENT QUESTION:

Discuss Levels of Analysis in FPA. In your opinion, Which Level of Analysis best explains
Foreign Policy Decision Making under either Obasanjo or Buhari Regime?

By

YAHAYA ADO WASAI

P22DLPS80048

March , 2023

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INTRODUCTION:
Scholars and diplomats have found it helpful to think about the different things that affect
international relations by breaking them down into three levels of analysis: individual, state, and
international. State level analysis examines the foreign policy behavior of states in terms of
state characteristics. For example, some scholars say that all democracies behave a certain
way; they don't fight with other democracies. What are the major aims and objectives of
Nigerian foreign policy. Our Core Values deal with issues of National Security, Survival,
Territorial Integrity and Sovereignty as well as strengthening the International Mechnism for
effective service delivery and enhancing revenue measures, distributions, Customer service,
including increasing a greater economic content in the curriculum.

The person who propounded Africa as a centerpiece of Nigeria foreign policy. Was the
Nigeria's former Prime Minister, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, in his addresses of August and
October 1, 1960, declared Africa as the centrepiece of Nigeria's foreign policy. The origin of this
concept ‘Africa as the centre piece of Nigeria’s policy’, could be traced to the administration of
the first republic in Nigeria (1960-1966) headed by the Prime Minister, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa.
According to him,’ we belong to Africa and Africa must take the first attention in our foreign
relations’. By Africa being the centre piece of Nigeria’s foreign policy, it means that Africa should
be given a place of pride in Nigeria’s foreign policy formulation. A significant milestone was
reached in the conceptualization of the nation’s foreign policy when Africa was officially
declared as the centre piece of Nigeria’s foreign policy by the regime of Murtala/Obasanjo.

The following are the principles of the concept ‘Africa the centre piece of Nigeria’s foreign
policy’.

1. Sovereignty and equality of all African states.

2. Total eradication of racial discrimination and colonialism in Africa.

3. To oppose aggression, support the demand for the restoration of fundamental human
rights.

4. Promoting friendly association among independent African states.

5. Respect for and non- interference in the internal affairs of other African states

REASONS FOR THE ADOPTION OF AFRICA AS THE CENTRE PIECE OF NIGERIA’S FOREIGN
POLICY

1. Size and Population: Nigeria made Africa the centre piece of her foreign policy, because
it recognized the fact that by virtue of her size, population and wealth, she has a
historical mission in Africa.

2. Decolonization of African States: Nigeria declared Africa as the centre piece of her

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 foreign policy because she realized that her independence will be meaningless if it does
not lead to the independence of other African States. This is why decolonization is the
main objective of Nigeria’s foreign policy.

3. Friendly Association: By making Africa the centre piece of her foreign policy, Nigeria
hoped to promote friendly relations, to bring Africa countries together so that they can
speak with one voice in international organizations such as United Nations, Common
Wealth and so on.

4. Assistance: Nigeria made Africa the centre piece of her foreign policy so as to assist
other African countries and foster understanding among them

5. Leadership: Nigeria is looked upon for leadership in Africa and to realize such
expectation she made Africa the center piece of her foreign policy.

6. Charity Begins at Home: Nigeria being part of Africa, decided to start her foreign policy
making at home by making Africa the center piece of her foreign policy and to claim their
first attention in their external relations.

HOW NIGERIA HAS DEMONSTRATED THAT AFRICA IS THE CENTRE PIECE OF HER
FOREIGN POLICY IMPLEMENTATION

1. Anti-racism and Anti-colonialism: Nigeria has shown that Africa is the centre piece of her
foreign policy by ensuring total eradication of colonialism in any part of Africa. For
example, the support for the M.P.L.A, this led to the liberation of Angola. Shagari
donated 10Million naira to Zimbabwe for her independence celebration in 1980.

2. Support of O.A.U: Successive administration in Nigeria has supported the Organization

3. Nigeria has demonstrated that Africa is the centre piece of her foreign policy formulation
by establishing friendly relations with all African states.

4. Assistance to Sister African States: To show that Africa is truly the centre piece of
Nigeria’s foreign policy formulation and also for the spirit of brotherhood, Nigeria has
provided technical aid and expertise to sister African States.

5. Resolution of Conflicts: Nigeria is committed to peaceful resolution of political conflicts

6. Encouragement of Democracy: In the bid of demonstrating her interest in Africa, Nigeria

7. Economic Co-operation: Nigeria is also involved in the promotion of economic

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 cooperation. The establishment of ECOWAS in 1975 and African Economic Community
are examples.

8. Sports: Promotion of intra-Africa sports such as hosting important sporting events e.g
All Africa games, Africa Nations Cup and so on.

9. Cultural Assistance: Nigeria has also promoted cultural ties amongst Africa States e.g
FESTAC

10. Promotion of Unity: Nigeria has also demonstrated that Africa is the centre piece of her
foreign policy by promoting unity and solidarity, especially at the international
community.

WAYS BY WHICH NIGERIA MAINTAIN FRIENDLY RELATIONS AMONG AFRICAN STATES

1. Establishment of Bilateral economic/political relationship e.g Nigeria and Togo

2. Promotion of Multi-Lateral economic/political relationship e.g Chad Basin Commission

3. Active participation in economic union e.g ECOWAS, Africa Petroleum Producers

4. Grants and Aids: Sending of relief materials to victims of political instability or natural
disaster. This is done through the Technical Aid Corps Scheme.

5. Nigeria has also maintained friendly relations with other African countries through the
initiation of peaceful settlement of crisis e.g Congo, Chad, Liberia, Zimbabwe and so on.

6. Peaceful resolution of conflict with her neighbor e.g Nigeria and Chad, Nigeria and
Cameroon over Bakassi Peninsula.

7. Participation in peacekeeping operation e.g Congo, Chad, Liberia and so on.

8. Active participation in cultural and sporting activities e.g African games, FESTAC 1977

9. Active support for liberation movement in Africa e.g MPLA, SWAPO, A.N.C and so on.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion why is Africa the Centre piece of Nigeria's foreign policy. Onyeama: Africa
Remains Centrepiece of Nigeria's Foreign Policy. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama,
has said that Africa remained the centerpiece of Nigeria's foreign policy due to such policy
determinants as geographical location, history and size.

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REFERENCE

Fawole W.A. (2004) Understanding Nigeria Foreign Policy Analysis, under certain rules

since 1999 constitution structure process & performance, Ibadan College Press.

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