CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION
- BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY
Nigeria from time past have always been regarded as the giant of Africa, partly due to its high population (i.e. human resources), large land size, abundant mineral resources and economic potentialities. Hence, many African countries and indeed the international communities looked up to Nigeria for a leadership role in Africa. Nigeria joined the committee of independent nations in 1960 full of hope and vigor and ready to expend its political, economic and natural human resources for the growth, unity and development of Africa. Nigeria since independence thus pursues foreign policies that are in tune with the beliefs and aspirations of the founding fathers of this great nation, a foreign policy that is concentric in nature, content and which has as one of its core values – “the Africa Center Piece”. (Abdullahi Shehu Gusau, 2012)
It is this core value of the Nigerian foreign policy that Nigeria participates in International Organizations in Africa.
Nigeria over the years, has been an active player in the development of the continent and this has made her to champion the establishment of various international organizations in Africa: the Economic Community of West African States [ECOWAS (1975)]; ECOMOG; the Organization of African Unity [OAU (1963), now AU (2001)]; the Non-Aligned Movement and other West African bodies. The country’s membership in and commitment to several international organizations, such as the United Nations and many others, also affect foreign policy positions.
Nigerian external relations have emphasized African issues, which have become the avowed cornerstone of foreign policy. (Atah Pine, 2011)