International Journal of Advanced Research in Social Sciences, Environmental Studies & Technology

p-ISSN: 2536-6505 | e-ISSN: 2536-6513 IJARSSEST

Volume 5, Number 1 April, 2020

The Impact of Nigeria's Foreign Policy Actions from 1999 –

2007

1 2
Johnson Alalibo Sinikiem & John T. Kalama
1
Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies, University of Ibadan, Nigeria
2
Department of Political Science, Federal University Otuoke, Bayelsa State, Nigeria

Abstract

T he study examined Nigeria's foreign policy actions from 1999–2007 and its
impact on Nigerians. The paper argues that public policy is a veritable
instrument that states can use to boost its economy and image at the local and
global levels. The study adopted the institutional approach in explaining the subject-
matter while the sources of data were based on secondary sources (textbooks, published
articles, journals, materials from the internet etc.). Data from these sources were
analysed descriptively through the qualitative method. Findings in the study show that
the restoration of democracy in Nigeria accelerated the integration of Nigeria into the
comity of nations at the regional and global level. Furthermore, the foreign tours
embarked upon by the then president, Olusegun Obasanjo coupled with his leader to
leader approach adopted to drive the government's foreign policy actions helped to
increased Nigeria's volume of trade and foreign direct investment inflow into the
country. However, for any public policy to make any meaningful impact on the people,
political leaders and policy makers must be proactive and be willing to take practical
steps to ensure the effective implementation of such public policies and programmes.

Keywords: Impact, Nigeria's foreign policy actions, Public policy and Actions

Corresponding Author: Johnson Alalibo Sinikiem

http://internationalpolicybrief.org/journals/international-scientific-research-consortium-journals/intl-jrnl-of-advanced-research-in-soc-sci-environmental-studies-tech-vol5-no1-april-2020

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Background to the Study
Prior to the enthronement of democracy in 1999 the political situation in Nigeria was unstable
due to the actions and polices of leaders in the country. The administration of Sani Abacha for
instance engaged in human right abuses and indiscriminate arrests and detention of citizens
and perceived enemies of the government. The hanging of Ken Sarowiwa in 1995 by the
Nigerian government further attracted international sanctions against Nigeria hence, the
country witnessed policy inconsistency and political instability from 1990–1998. The
situation degenerated when the election that was adjudged the fairest and freest was annulled
by the Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida administration in June 12 1993. These and other policy
actions affected Nigeria socially, economically and politically. The above situation changed on
the 29th May 1999 when democracy was restored with the swearing in of Olusegun Aremu
Obasanjo as president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. His foreign policy actions and
measures taken to improve the socio-economic condition in Nigeria forms the major thrust of
this paper.

Method and Scope of the Study

Nachmias and Nachmias (1985) see methodology as a system of unambiguous rules and
procedures upon which the basis of an enquiry is formed and claimed knowledge evaluated.
Methodology according Kaplan, cited in Obasi (1999) is to help in understanding in the
broadest possible fashion both the products and the process of scientific investigation. The
study adopted the descriptive method. Data for the study was sourced from secondary sources
while analysis was done through content analysis. The focus of the paper is limited to the
impact of Nigeria's foreign policy actions under the president Olusegun Obasanjo
administration, 1999–2007.

Theoretical and Conceptual Analysis

The need for an analytical framework in an investigation was re-enforced by Lieber (1992)
who argue that behind every concept or an analysis, there is a theory or view point, which
makes it possible for the presentation and interpretation of facts. Therefore, for there to be
reliability in an investigation, there is need to also come out with models, or the formulation of
theories, for empirical theory seeks to create knowledge that is impersonal, retraceable and
cumulative (Lieber, 1999:p.12). Thus, this paper adopted the systems theory in analysing the
subject-matter. System scholars see the society as a complex set of systems and sub-systems
existing and operating within a particular environment. They posited further that the systems
theory deals with interdependence and inter-relationship among groups, organizations and
individuals based on the input and output mechanism. Input in this context refer to
contributions and demands made by individuals, groups etc. Output and feedback on the other
hand, refer to responses and reactions from the political through a process known as the
conversion box. The systems political theory therefore explains the various interactions that
take place in the process of policy formulation and implementation in any given state or
society. This theory is relevant in this study because the policy actions of former president
Olusegun Obasanjo had positive impact on the Nigeria political environment within the
period under review. This explained why systems scholars posited that input to a system can be
stimulated internally or externally as reflected in the actions taken by the Obasanjo-led
administration in 1999–2007. System scholars include: David Easton, John Locke, Almond
and Verba etc.

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Pre-1999 Political Situation in Nigeria
Several factors threatened peace and security in Nigeria prior to the enthronement of
democracy in the country. Some of the factors include: The annulment of June 12th
presidential elections which was adjudged to be the fairest and freest in the history of Nigeria,
the trial, conviction and hanging of Ken Sarowiwa by a special military tribunal in 1995
increased the political tension in the country. The suspension of Nigeria from major regional
and international organizations further worsened the political crises in the country. Thus, the
search for new strategies to ensure peace, political stability and sustainable development
continued even after the restoration of democracy on the 29th May 1999.

Socio-Economic Impact of Nigeria's Foreign Policy Actions from 1999–2007

This aspect of the study examined some of the policy actions of former president Olusegun
Obasanjo taken between 1999 and 2007 and its impact on Nigeria's socio-economic
development. Opinions of scholars and experts in the field of international relations were also
examined and analysed in order to guide the study. While commenting on the International
Court of Justice ruling of 10th October 2002, on the Nigeria – Cameroon border dispute, Koffi
Annan, the then Secretary General of the United Nations commended Nigeria and Cameroon
for using peaceful means to resolve their differences and appealed to the international
community to provide support for both countries within the context of preventive diplomacy.
In a congratulatory message sent to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, published in This
Day Newspaper of February 2 2004 captioned “Nigeria, Cameroon consider non-aggression
pact” the former UN Secretary General commended Nigeria for resorting to nonviolent
measures in resolving the long standing dispute. Realizing the fact that a country's foreign
policy is derived from its domestic policy, the administration of Olusegun Obasanjo started by
carrying out internal domestic restructuring of Nigeria in line with the systems theory as
applied in the study. The belief is that when the subsystem and institutions are effective, the
whole system or society will function effectively hence, the government in year 2000 set up the
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt
Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) which helped in the arrest and
prosecution of corrupt citizens in the country. The government proceeded further to pursue an
aggressive foreign policy under what was known as political economic diplomacy which was a
major policy thrust of the administration. The policy entails:
(a) Recovery of stolen funds
(b) Campaign for debt forgiveness and
(c) The attraction of direct foreign investment (DFI).

During the period, Nigeria participated actively in regional and international affairs hence in
2002, the Olusegun Obasanjo-led administration approved the participation of over 200
volunteers to some less developed countries in Africa, Caribbean and the Pacific as part of the
2002/2004 Technical Aid Corps (TAC) scheme. Practical steps taken by former president
Olusegun Obasanjo to advance Nigeria's image and economy were his visit to Brazil in 1999
where the Nigeria – Brazil Joint Commission was established. This singular step led to the
signing of several trade and cultural agreements between both countries. It will be recalled that
Nigeria's foreign policy form 1999–2007 witnessed radical changes from the usual passive

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conservative approach to a more radical and proactive foreign policy spear-headed by the
president himself. Nigeria's foreign policy thrust from 1999 – 2007 was anchored on debt
forgiveness and outright cancellation owned by poor African countries through a fair,
equitable and just framework. Apart from advocacy, the foreign tours embarked upon by the
then president through his leader to leader approach yielded several dividends as Nigeria was
re-admitted into the comity of nations through the lifting of all sanctions earlier imposed on
the country. The cancellation of Nigeria's foreign debt by the European Union (EU) and other
international organizations coupled with the signing of several trade agreements no doubt
helped to increased Nigeria's volume of trade within the period. The above achievements
prompted Alade cited in Jibrin (2004) to state that president Obasanjo has come into the job
with impressive if not intimidating credentials. This is as opposes to the limitations of the
previous military leaders (Jibrin, 2004:p.134-139). While stating the foreign policy objectives
of his administration, Olusegun Obsanjo stated clearly in his inaugural speech that “we shall
pursue a dynamic foreign policy to promote friendly relations with all nations and will
continue to play a constructive role in the United Nations (UN), African Union (AU) and
other international bodies…”

Conclusion
The paper examined political events in Nigeria from 1999–2007 and observed that major
changes and achievements were recorded in Nigeria's relations with other countries.
Particularly, the paper revealed that Nigeria's foreign policy from 1999–2007 witnessed a
dramatic change from a mere theoretically based foreign policy to a more dynamic one. The
study derived its data from secondary sources while the methodology was based on the
descriptive method. The systems political theory was adopted in order to critically explain the
subject-matter while the analysis was done through the qualitative method.

In all, the study posits that public policy if well-conceived and implemented can be a tool for
the development and advancement of any society. Furthermore, the study shows that it is not
enough to formulate public polices, programmes and actions but rather leaders and policy
makers are expected to design practical steps and implementation frameworks and standards
as clearly demonstrated by Chief Olusegun Obasanjo in his leader to leader diplomacy
approach.

Recommendations
The following recommendations will no doubt help to improve the policy formulation and
implementation process in Nigeria and Africa:
1. Leaders in Nigeria and Africa should look beyond mere formulation of policies and
programmes but rather practical steps should be designed or put in place to ensure the
success of such policies, programmes and actions.
2. The leadership recruitment process should be made more open and transparent to
ensure that only focussed and result oriented persons emerge as leaders and policy
maker.
3. Public policies that are inimical to Africa's growth and development should be
discarded by African states especially if such policies are related to financial issues

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 and economic development. This is important because most neo-colonial policies and
actions are aimed at promoting foreign interests in Africa.
4. It is also necessary and fundamental for African states and parliaments to engage in
periodic review and evaluation of existing policies and programmes in order to meet
contemporary challenges and events. Such reviews and appraisals will help Nigeria
and African leaders to meet the needs of their people. This will also promote
indigenous African interest rather than giving preference to foreign policies and
ideologies.
5. In line with the sustainable development goals document, there is need for partnership
with development partners and stakeholders at the national, regional and global
levels. Such partnership will help to exploit the cooperative advantage of other nations
in terms of trade and defence related issues.
6. To ensure effectiveness in the policy formulation and implementation process, there is
need for constant review and appraisal in order to make existing policies and
programmes of government meet changing circumstances and events.
7. There is need for inter-governmental relations and cooperation among the three arms
of government (Executive, Legislature and the Judiciary) in the process of policy
formulation and implementation in Nigeria.
8. The people (citizens) should also be conscious and vigilant in monitoring the activities
of leaders to ensure that leaders do not promote their personal interest while serving
the state. Keeping watch over the government will help the government to be alive to
its responsibilities. The citizens can effectively watch over the government through
effective participation via civil societies and non-governmental organizations.

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