NIGERIA'S FOREIGN POLICY AND THE CHALLENGES OF NATIONAL SECURITY

Abstract

Since 2009 when Boko Haram emerged as a religious sect in Borno State and rapidly spread to other states in the Northeast and  beyond, the security of Nigeria has been heavily threatened as never before in recent history. Thousands of people have been killed in the spiralling conflict. Gun-wielding bandits have also emerged, wreaking havoc in many parts of the country even as kidnapping for ransom has become common in all parts of the country. Herder-farmer clashes resulting in several deaths are also a constant
security challenge particularly in the North central and other parts of the country. Ethnic militias have also sprang-up in the South, making demands on the country and issuing threats of secession thereby causing fear and contribu????ng to the state of general insecurity in the country. These mul????farious security challenges have made life unsafe and living a constant nightmare in the country. Various findings and prescriptions to resolve these escalating security problems have defied practical solutions. This paper explores the use of foreign policy in tackling the security problems of the country. Classical liberalism was employed as the theoretical framework in this study. Secondary sources were relied upon as the source of data. Data were sourced from books, internet sources, journals and newspaper publications. Data collected were analysed and logical conclusions drawn. The development of an effective foreign policy and its application in securing international partnerships against terrorism and other security challenges of the country was recommended.