CONFLICT OF NATIONAL INTEREST AND PUBLIC OPINION IN NIGERIAN FOREIGN POLICY AND DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS
CONFLICT OF NATIONAL INTEREST AND PUBLIC OPINION IN NIGERIAN FOREIGN POLICY AND DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS
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Date
2002-01
Authors
SANI, Ahmed Kaura
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Abstract
This study sets out to investigate the conflicting positions Nigeria's National
interest and the opinion of the Nigerian citizenry maintained in matters of foreign
policy and diplomatic relations. In other words, the thrust of this study was to
showcase with specific reference to Nigeria-Israel relations (1973-1992) how the
opinion of Nigerian Citizens is often at variance with the nation's national
interest in the conduct of Nigerian foreign policy and diplomatic relations over
the years since independence. It also seeks to analyse this conflicting position
vis-a-vis the long drawn debate on whether or not Nigeria was to resume
diplomatic relations with the state of Israel broken in 1973. In accomplishing this
task, the research study relied on secondary data from textbooks, newspapers,
magazines and conference communiques. The data was presented by direct and
indirect reporting of some relevant portions in the published works of others who
dealt with the subjects of Nigeria-Israel relations, Nigeria-Middle East Policy,
the practice of Diplomacy in Nigeria and the conduct of Nigerian Foreign Policy
and International Relations. The study made a thorough analysis and assessment
of the various arguments advanced by individuals, groups, religious and other
voluntary organisations, media houses, institutions, conferences and various
regimes for or against normalisation of diplomatic relations with Israel. This
research study discovered that except for a very few of them, the totality of the
arguments and or opinion presented were grossly insincere to the ideals of the
nation's national interest. Arguements advanced were either meant to serve
sectional interest, religious interest or elite interest. Government which was
suppose to be a defender of the nations interest and an arbiter in the controversy
took side with the elite class. This was particularly so with the Government of
General Ibrahim Babangida which restored relations with Israel in 1992 purely to
serve elites economic interest in the guise of defending the nation's interest. This
decision was seen to have overtly served the interest of those who wanted the
relation restored, but alas it wasn't the case. Contenders in the arguement for and
against including those who relied on Camp David Accords of 1979 all lost to
elites interest. This study identified an overwhelming elite dominance in the
arguements and final decision to restore relations with Israel in particular and in
the entire conduct of Nigerias' foreign policy and diplomatic relations in general.
The study therefore recommends a wider consultation before taking any major
foreign policy decision in order to lessen drastically the conflict arising from
such unilateral decisions in future. The public including University students should
also be properly educated on the nation's foreign policy orientations, objectives
and goals in order to foster an understanding of the nation's foreign policy and
lessen the conflict between public opinion and National interest arising from such
public ignorance. Certainly, the future of a responsive, enduring and successful
Nigerian foreign policy and diplomatic relations depends largely on the domestic
support government would be able to sustain in this endeavour.
Description
A Thesis presented to Post-Graduate School
in Partial Fulfillment of the requirements for the Award of
Masters of International Affairs and Diplomacy.
Keywords
CONFLICT, NATIONAL INTEREST, PUBLIC OPINION, NIGERIAN FOREIGN POLICY, DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS