The Challenges Facing Nigeria’s Foreign Policy in the Next Millennium

Abstract

Since Nigeria became independent in 1960 its foreign policy, like that of most other countries, has witnessed successes and failures. The current debate on President Obasanjo’s list of Ambassadorial nominees sent to the Senate for approval provides Nigerian citizens with an opportunity to contribute to the debate on who should be nominated and why. I will leave relating to the “who and why” to observers more concerned with the internal political situation. My contribution will go beyond the internal debate concerning the disrespect of the “federal character” and the purported bias in these nominations. I will focus on the content and objectives of Nigerian foreign policy in the new millenium.