NATIONAL ROLE CONCEPTION AND NIGERIA'S FOREIGN POLICY IN THE FOURTH REPUBLIC

Abstract

Role conception and assumption by Nigeria has been a function of the perceptions of the founding fathers from the eve
of independence, and a product of certain geographical factors. Other factors included the civility, maturity, and
political wisdom in struggling for and earning independence. This was considered to have served as a model for other
nations under colonial rule. The study examines national role conception and the Nigeria's Foreign Policy in the Fourth
Republic. The study adopts mixed method (qualitative and quantitative) using secondary data and role theory to
examine national role conception and Nigeria's foreign policy in the fourth republic. The study reveals that national
roles are discernible in Nigeria's African policy. A study of the politics of national role conceptions in Nigeria has shown
that a very small informal or semi-formal political group (the group within the group) conceives external roles of the
country, take decisions, and formulate policies. The study recommends a policy shift from wasteful and unrewarding
Afrocentrism to a “Nigeriacentrism”. This Nigeriacentrism would not imply the abandonment of leadership in Africa; it
would mean the use of African leadership/national roles to better the interest of Nigerians, and attending to national
issues rst which is a more honorable thing to do in the face of competing domestic and external pressures.