AN APPRAISAL OF THE LEADERSHIP STYLE AND DIPLOMATIC DECISION-MAKING PROCESS OF NIGERIAN ARMY COMMANDERS IN PEACEKEEPING OPERATION, 2014-2022.

This study explores the intricate intersection between leadership and diplomacy in Nigeria’s participation in international peacekeeping operations, with a specific focus on the leadership styles of Nigerian military commanders and their impact on mission outcomes. Drawing from historical analysis, field interviews, case studies, and a wide range of scholarly sources, the research critically examines how Nigerian commanders balance military strategies with diplomatic engagement in complex conflict environments. It identifies the leadership models authoritarian, transformational, transactional, and situational that Nigerian commanders frequently employ, and assesses how these approaches affect peace enforcement, conflict resolution, and interaction with local populations and international stakeholders. The study highlights Nigeria’s significant role in peacekeeping operations under the United Nations and regional bodies like ECOWAS, especially in missions such as ECOMOG in Liberia and Sierra Leone. It further analyzes the evolution of Nigeria’s peacekeeping policy and its increasing reliance on diplomacy as a tool for conflict de-escalation. Attention is given to operational challenges such as resource constraints, inadequate diplomatic training, and bureaucratic interference that undermine mission success. It also identifies instances where strategic communication, international collaboration, and commander-led negotiation led to notable breakthroughs in peace processes. Using qualitative methodologies, including structured interviews with military officers and analysis of UN and African Union mission reports, the research offers original insights into the often-overlooked diplomatic role of military leaders. The study recommends integrating formal diplomatic training into Nigeria’s military education systems and strengthening institutional frameworks for effective leadership and international cooperation. Ultimately, this research demonstrates that effective leadership in peacekeeping is not solely a matter of command and control, but also of empathy, negotiation, and cross-cultural diplomacy. It establishes that the success of Nigerian commanders in peacekeeping operations is strongly tied to their ability to merge tactical military skills with strategic diplomatic engagement. The findings contribute to scholarship in international relations, military studies, and peace and conflict research, offering practical implications for enhancing Nigeria’s future peacekeeping performance and informing global standards of military-diplomatic leadership.