This research is a crafted investigation of how Nigeria's foreign policy frameworks formed the country's external relations under the leadership of President Olusegun Obasanjo's civilian...Show moreThis research is a crafted investigation of how Nigeria's foreign policy frameworks formed the country's external relations under the leadership of President Olusegun Obasanjo's civilian administration (1999–2007). The study attempts to uncover the variants of strategies used during the administration of President Obasanjo to deal with the complexities in international diplomacy against the background of Nigeria's historic orientations and the complex problems it encountered within the time frame of the study. This study investigates Nigeria's diplomacy, regional engagement, and international alliances in that particular era, and it tries to provide insights into the complex approach it was used by Nigeria in order to establish its international influence. This paper aims to explore the underpinning elements determining the nature of Nigeria's foreign policy strategy of Constructive and Beneficial Concentricism through a systematic investigation of its objectives and application with other countries, international organizations or regional blocs. Also, a critical assessment is done on how successful these types of diplomacy have built the national interests of Nigeria, promoted stability in the region and stimulated economic development. This study aims to reveal those variables that matter for the foreign policy of Nigeria as well as discover the reasons for the changing place of the country in the world community via a thorough examination of the successes and failures of the foreign policy of Nigeria. In addition to secondary literature and expert analysis, this paper improves the primary sources like official documents, policy statements and diplomatic letters to project the big picture of Nigeria's foreign policy trajectory during the Obasanjo administration. The research advances the understanding of the dynamics that made Nigeria interact with the international community to strengthen external relations and offers the reader helpful insights for individuals with an interest in the nation's diplomatic efforts.Show less
In the 2016 EU Global Strategy, High Representative/Vice-President Mogherini called for a “stronger Europe” in response to the continuous string of crises and challenges the EU faced in the past...Show moreIn the 2016 EU Global Strategy, High Representative/Vice-President Mogherini called for a “stronger Europe” in response to the continuous string of crises and challenges the EU faced in the past decade. Since the institutionalization of Common Foreign and Security Policy, and Common Security and Defence Policy and with the gradual emergence of the EU as a foreign policy actor, scholars have tried to craft appropriate concepts, frameworks and approaches which would allow them to define and study the EU’s characteristics, role and ability in the realm of external action. Strategic culture is one of these concepts which tries to answer core questions about what influences and drives strategic behaviour in foreign policy, like a “compass” which can help an actor navigate and pursue its strategic priorities. In an effort to contribute to the under-researched body of literature on this concept, this paper studies the development of EU strategic culture by comparing the 2003 European Security Strategy with the 2016 Global Strategy. These documents codify strategic culture by providing written accounts of the EU’s shared values, interests and the means it defines as appropriate to pursue these interests. The findings confirm that an EU strategic culture has developed between 2003 and 2016, notably by defining a set of shared values and interests for the first time, through its ability to identify and update its threat assessments based on recent changes in its environment, as well as thanks to a range of concrete tool-building proposals guided by these norms and interests, notably in the field of military capabilities.Show less
