LAGOS STATE UNIVERSITY, OJO

FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCE

DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE

COURSE TITLE: NIGERIA’S FOREIGN POLICY

COURSE CODE: POL405

Lecturer in charge: Dr. Abdul-Gafar Tobi Oshodi

GROUP 6

ASSIGNMENT QUESTION:
What are the landmark issues in General Sani Abacha foreign policy?
S/N STUDENTS’ NAMES MATRIC NUMBER

1. FARAWE IBRAHIM AREMU 190631059

2. FASEYI REBECCA OLUWAPELUMI 190631060

3. FATOLU FATHIA ADESEWA 190631061

4. IBRAHIM MARIAM OMOTOWOBOLA 190631065

5. JUBILEE ABDULQUDUS OLABODE 190631066

6. KAZEEM DANIEL MONDAY 190631067

7. KAZEEM MOSHOOD ADEBAYO 190631068

8. MARTINS OLALERE JOHN 190631072

9. NWOSU NGOZI CELINE 190631076

10. ODOFIN FUAD AYOMIDE 190631077

11. OGUNKANBI MESHACH OLAMIDE 190631081

12. OGUNMADE AL AMEEN ADESHINA 190631082

13. OGUNNIYI JEREMIAH TUNDE 190631083

14. OGUNSANYA IDOWU 190631084

15. OKOYA TEMITOPE ESTHER 190631085

16. OLABANJI SODIQ ABIODUN 190631086

17. OLADAPO JESUTOFUNMI OLUWAFUNMITO 190631087

18. OLADEJO YUSUF OLAWALE 190631088

19. OLANIYI HABEEB ABIOLA 190631089

20. OLOTU DAMILARE ISAAC 190631093

21. OLOWU AMINAT YETUNDE 190631094

22. OLUBAJO ENIOLA ELIZABETH 190631095

23. OLUSHOTO EZEKIEL AYOMIDE 190631097

24. OMOLADE ABIMBOLA DEBORAH 190631098

1.0 INTRODUCTION

This text aims to explain and give understanding about foreign policy, and to look at the roles Nigeria

political leaders played in foreign policy making. But due to constraints, this research would be

restricted to Gen. Sani Abacha's regime(1993-1998). The landmark issues of Sani Abacha regime and its

effect on Nigeria's social and political economy and how foreign policies were made to build

relationships between other countries of the world would be briefly explained.

2.0 BIOGRAPHY

Gen. Sani Abacha GCFR (20 September 1943-8 June 1998) was a Nigerian military officer and politician

who served after seizing power in 1993 until his death in 1998. Abacha,s seizure of power was the last

successful coup d’état in the Nigerian military history.

He served as Chief of Army Staff from 1985 to 1990, as Chief of Defense Staff from 1990 to1993, and as

Minister of Defense. Abacha is noted for having been the first Nigerian Army officer to attain the rank of

a full military general without skipping a single rank.

3.0 THE EMERGENCE OF SANI ABACHA INTO POWER (1993-1998)

The annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election during Ibrahim Babangida's military regime led

to a political crisis in Nigeria. Because of this, the then military head of state (Ibrahim Babnagida) had to

"step down" for an Interim government. The interim government was headed by Chief Ernest Shonekan,

and this was supposed to bring an end to political crisis and the chaos going on in Nigeria. But this

government did not last for long as Ernest Shonekan was overthrown by a coup led by Sani Abacha after

being in power for just 3 months (26th of august 1993-12th of November 1993).The coup can be

regarded as a bloodless coup, because nobody was killed during the coup. (Adeyemo, 2002)
The success of the coup led to another military government headed by Sani Abacha, He was the last

person to head a successful coup d’état in the Nigeria military history. Abacha ruled for 5 years before

he died July 8, 1998.

4.0 THEORECTICAL FRAMEWORK

Foreign policy is defined as the actions of a state towards external environments and the conditions

under which those decisions are formulated. (Bamgbose, 1995).

Foreign policy is also the set of decisions and actions that make up the public policy of the

government to protect the well-being of its citizens and represent their national interests

before other countries and subjects of international law. It implies of principles that define the

line that a state follows in front of other nations to satisfy their needs.

5.0 LANDMARK ISSUES OF HIS FOREIGN POLICY

The landmark issues of Gen. Sani Abacha’s foreign policy are those notable and significant aspects or

events related to the foreign policy he pursued (Gen. Sani Abacha) during his regime as the political

leader of Nigeria. The foreign policy under Gen. Sani Abacha was reactive and operated on isolationism,

there was consistent violation of human rights contrary to the acceptable norms in international system.

During his regime, there were several key foreign policies that emerged and characterized his approach

to international relations. These landmarks can be categorized into Positive and Negative landmark:

5.1 POSITIVE
 I. Abacha tried to achieve a diplomatic relationship and a long lasting relation with neighboring

countries in Africa, and the main focus they had was on issues of regional stability, security and

economic cooperation. And this entailed regional integrations, and to participate actively in

regional organizations like the Economic community of West African state (ECOWAS).

II. During his regime, Abacha's foreign policy highlighted on captivating foreign investment and

managing Nigeria's external debt. He involved the international financial institutions and other

countries in a negotiation and to address Nigeria's debt burden, and to use initiatives such as

debt rescheduling to improve Nigeria economic conditions and attract foreign direct investment.

He was able to grow Nigeria’s foreign reserve from $494m in 1993 to $9.6bn in1997.He also

reduced Nigeria’s external debt from $36bn in 1993 to $27bn by 1997. Under Abacha, inflation

reduced from 54% in 1993 to 8.5% in 1988. (El-Bonga).

III. Abacha was involved in multiple diplomatic visits, and he also received and entertained foreign

leaders in Nigeria, heading to strengthen bilateral relations and to also pursue his foreign policy

objectives. Visitations to various countries and participation in international summits and

conferences were some of Abacha's engagement.

IV. Abacha pressed on the importance of African unity and solidarity. He was an active partaker in

Africa union (AU) and organization of Africa unity (OAU) to resolve conflicts and promote peace

on the continent with meetings and supported efforts. Abacha also played an intermediary role

in resolving regional disputes, like the Liberian and Sierra-Leonean civil war. (Adeyemo, 2002)

5.2 NEGATIVE
 I. During Abacha's regime, there was political constraints and infringement of human rights, and

this led to an effective national criticism. And this became an important factor of Nigeria's

foreign policy, Abacha tried to achieve and manage its international image, respond to human

rights organization and partake in diplomatic efforts to combat negative perceptions. The

Abacha regime is one of the most controversial in Nigeria’s history; his regime was dictatorial

and struck terror in the heart of many Nigerians. (HISTORYVILLE, 2020).

II. Sanctions were imposed and Abacha's regime was isolated by several countries, international

organizations due to their concerns over human rights abuses and political repression. Travel

bans, arms embargoes and the suspension (from Commonwealth) aid and diplomatic relations

were part of the measures taken Abacha. A typical of incident that happened during his regime

was the unwarranted and unjustified killing of the Ogoni activist, Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight

others on November 10, 1995 despite huge outcry and pleas from the international community.

(Eromora, 2020 )

III. Domestic security was one of the challenges Abacha faced, including the rise of militant groups.

His foreign policies included seeking international cooperation in counters efforts, sharing

intelligence and working jointly with other countries, to fight against transitional threats such as;

terrorism and organized crimes.

CONCLUSION

Gen. Sani Abacha’s foreign policy during his regime witnessed series of landmark issues that shaped

Nigeris’s foreign position in the global arena. His administration focused on consolidating regional

influence, promoting economic diplomacy, engaging with the international community, and

addressing regional security challenge but at the same time his administration faced criticisms due

to violation of human rights.

 Adeyemo, F. (2002). Dynamics of Nigeria's foreign policy. Lagos: FRANC-SOBA (NIG. LTD).

 Bamgbose, J. P. (1995). Political science and government for Nigerian students.

 HISTORYVILLE. (2020). Retrieved 2023, from Youtube: https://youtu.be/x_S1U-Y1ync

 El-Bonga, M. (n.d.). Twitter.

 Eromora, O. E. (2020 , 07 23). YouTube. Retrieved from https://youtube.com/watch?

v=3_PVraSVM2w&feature=share

 https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sani_Abacha