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Abstract:

This study critically examined the foreign policy of the Abacha regime, 1993-1998, a period coinciding with immense international hostility against Nigeria. Both primary sources, through interviews with foreign embassies and government institutions, and secondary sources by way of content systematic analysis, were used for the conduct of the study. The following findings were made: The international hostility that came against Nigeria was most profound and first of its kind in Nigeria’s history; and though average Nigerians went through much hardship as a result, the government refused to compromise with the international community; the sanctions themselves failed to change the attitude of the Abacha regime, an indication that they tailed to have their desired effect. The regime continued to snub dialogue with sanctioning states. However for economic reasons sanctioning states refused to apply sanctions that would probably have brought down the regime. The study recommends that people far removed from the theory and practice of international relations should not be used in the conduct of Nigerian foreign policy. Government should not shun dialogue in its future dealings with foreign states. The little gains made in the area of regional security by Nigeria as a consequence of international hostility is commendable and should be maintained and improved upon.

A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF NIGERIA’S FOREIGN POLICY DURING THE ABACHA REGIME: 1993-1998