This paper examined the framework of Nigeria’s foreign policy from the perspective of Tafawa Balewa’s vision. This is driven by Balewa’s profundity of philosophical thought in the enunciation of the organizing principles of Nigeria’s foreign policy and their flagging appeal and relevance through time. The analytical research method was employed for the study which revealed that Plato’s theory of the philosopher-king has been a major source of intellectual inspiration to contemporary political systems that seeks to promote good governance. The paper also unearthed that Balewa deployed his vast epistemological arsenal of public policy and governance strategy in the construction of the fundamental pillars and objectives of Nigerian foreign policy in such a manner that they have stood the test of time thus earning him the title of the philosopher-king of Nigerian foreign policy. The paper also uncovered that Balewa’s inclination to political conservatism and conservatist foreign policy .
See Full PDF See Full PDF
Download Free PDF View PDF
Research on Humanities and Social Sciences
Download Free PDF View PDF
African Journal of Political Science and International Relations
This article re-examines and reassesses Nigeria’s foreign policy from 1960 to 1979. From independence in 1960, all the administrations in Nigeria had similar foreign policy objectives until 1975 when General Murtala Mohammed became the Head of State. General Mohammed was killed in a failed military coup d’état and General Olusegun Obasanjo, his deputy, became the head of state; hence, the usage of Mohammed-Obasanjo administration. The administration of Mohammed and Obasanjo witnessed the first time that Nigerian broke away from her traditional-moderate way of pursuing foreign policy objectives to a new style with emphasis on action, rather rhetoric. The aim of this review article was to re-examine and reassess the transformations in Nigeria’s foreign policy and diplomacy during the administration of Mohammed and Obasanjo. This review article discovers that Nigeria’s foreign policy truly transformed from reactionary, conservative, static, and lacklustre nature to inspiring, progressive, radical, and dynamic during the administration of Generals Murtala Mohammed and Olusegun Obasanjo. The article concluded that the Mohammed-Obasanjo’s foreign policy was the best in Nigeria from independence in 1960 to 1979 when Obasanjo handed power to President Shehu Shagari.
Download Free PDF View PDF
Sapientia Global Journal of Arts, Humanities and Development Studies (SGOJAHDS), Vol.5 No.1 March, 2022; p.g. 305 – 315; ISSN: 2695- 2319 (Print); ISSN: 2695-2327 (Online)
From time immemorial the desire to build a just, orderly, peaceful and progressive society has been uppermost in the minds of Nigerian leaders. But due to external and societal influences, the achievement of desired missions and visions has continued to remain a mirage. These influences coupled with high level of corruption, poverty and selfishness, lack of contentment, poor level of morality and money-politics, many Nigerian leaders have derail from their avowed visions and mission with the result that at the end of a leader's tenure little or no progress is made. This paper is aimed at carrying out a comparative analysis of the second republic leadership of Ex-President Shehu Shagari and Plato's notion of the "Philosophical king". The writer critically analyses Plato's notion of the philosopher king within the context Nigerian Political leadership. For the sake of lucidity and coherency, this research is both systematic and critical. It delves into the political theory of Plato employing expository method as well as comparative, historical, discursive and philosophical interpretivism. In conclusion, the study affirms that recent happenings such as looting of public fund by political leaders, insurgency, corruption, low level of governance arose as a result of ineffective leadership. The paper therefore, posit that Nigerian leaders can take a que from Plato's notion of philosophical king for a more focused, intellectual and committed leadership for the governance and selection of statesmen in Nigeria.
Download Free PDF View PDF
