Perspectives On Nigerias National Politics And External Relations

The contributors also offer projections into possible alternative future scenarios for Nigeria not only as a nation state, but also as an important member of the international community and a major actor on the international stage.

Some of the issues include the impact of the global democratisation upsurge on Nigeria’s foreign policy, the competition between career and political ambassadorial
appointments, while the idea of a concert of medium powers, initiated by Bolaji Akinyemi in the 1980s, has been explicitly clarified as a visionary foreign policy engagement by Nigeria, especially now that several medium powers are coming together to impact world affairs. 

The prospects for strategic partnership between Nigeria and some powers such as the UK, the USA, China and Russia were evaluated in addition to the fortunes of the Technical Aid Corps as an instrument of Nigeria’s foreign policy. The challenges of meeting the MDGs, the continued significance of the nation’s commitment to global Peace Support Operations, the country’s quest for a United Nations Security Council permanent seat, as well as the growing and emerging domestic security challenges and their defining character on the nation’s politics and international relations were all reflected upon among several others.

Put together in honour of Professor Bolaji Akinyemi in celebration of his 70th birthday, the papers are, in a way, an appreciation of his personal life, politics, scholarship, public and ministerial career in the service of his nation and humanity.

Edited by Thomas A. Imobighe and Warisu O. Alli

Paperback 

473 pages