Foreign Policy and Nation-building in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic

Abstract

Foreign policy and nation-building are two concepts with similarities, yet rarely discussed together. However, the three levels of foreign policy namely; primary, secondary and tertiary levels are linked to three attributes of nation-building. At the primary level, foreign policy centers on citizen’s welfare, while nation-building focuses on active citizenship. The secondary level deals with the use of political power to achieve state objectives; similarly nation-building involves inclusive political participation. Diplomacy and law is accorded priority at the tertiary level, while nation-building focuses on state/society relations. With this relationship, we showed how foreign policy can, and has been used to promote nation-building in Nigeria’s polity. Our central argument is that successive civilian administrations in Nigeria have vacillated in using foreign policy to advance nation-building, due to individual leader’s perception of his role. Role Theory was adopted as theoretical framework, while relying on secondary data. Study revealed lack of consistency by the federal government in using foreign policy to promote nation building. Prioritizing things that promote oneness and community spirit in Nigeria’s domestic policies will address this. Subsequently, this can be projected internationally through a synergy of nation building and foreign policy.