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Nigeria’s Foreign Policy and Buhari Administration (2015–2023): Approaches, Challenges and Policy Implementations

Murtala, Mohammed, Gani Kate Ishaya, Zaharadeen Sale

Abstract

The Nigerian foreign policy during Buhari's time in office from 2015 to 2023 has been a complex mix of key initiatives, strategies for implementation, outcomes, and the challenges that have influenced Nigeria's relationships on the global stage. The analysis reveals that Buhari's approach was often caught in a tug-of-war between Nigeria's self-perception as a regional powerhouse and its waning ability to fulfill that role effectively. While there were some wins in security diplomacy, like the revitalization of the Multinational Joint Task Force and increased military partnerships with other nations, these were overshadowed by the rise of ISWAP, growing banditry, and ongoing mass abductions. These issues highlighted the limitations of relying solely on military cooperation without also addressing governance and development needs. On the economic front, the administration's diplomacy was erratic, hampered by protectionist policies like the land border closure from 2019 to 2020 and slow progress in engaging with the African Continental Free Trade Area. Despite the rhetoric of focusing on Africa, Nigeria's standing within ECOWAS and the African Union has diminished. Ultimately, the study concludes that Nigeria's foreign policy has been significantly hindered by domestic insecurity, economic instability, and weak institutions. Nigerian foreign policy during Buhari's time in office from 2015 to 2023 has been a complex mix of key initiatives, strategies for implementation, outcomes, and the challenges that have influenced Nigeria's relationships on the global stage. The analysis reveals that Buhari's approach was often caught in a tug-of-war between Nigeria's self- perception as a regional powerhouse and its waning ability to fulfill that role effectively. While there were some wins in security diplomacy, like the revitalization of the Multinational Joint Task Force and increased military partnerships with other nations, these were overshadowed by the rise of ISWAP, growing banditry, and ongoing mass abductions. These issues highlighted the limitations of relying solely on military cooperation without also addressing governance and E-ISSN 2504-883X P-ISSN 2695 2432 development needs. On the economic front, the administration's diplomacy was erratic, hampered by protectionist policies like the land border closure from 2019 to 2020 and slow progress in engaging with the African Continental Free Trade Area. Despite the rhetoric of focusing on Africa, Nigeria's standing within ECOWAS and the African Union has diminished. Ultimately, the study concludes that Nigeria's foreign policy has been significantly hindered by domestic insecurity, economic instability, and weak institutions.

Keywords

Nigerian foreign policy; counter-terrorism diplomacy and economic diplomacy; policy implementation

References

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