NIGERIA’S FOREIGN POLICY UNDER DEMOCRATIC RULE 1999 – 2023

Abstract The study of foreign policy of any nation is a reflection of its domestic priorities, international ambitions, and geopolitical realities. For Nigeria, a country endowed with significant natural and human resources, the potential to assert itself as a dominant player on the African and global stages has long been acknowledged. However, the transition to democratic governance in 1999 brought with it a host of challenges and opportunities that have shaped Nigeria's foreign policy trajectory in the Fourth Republic. Despite the promises of democratic governance to improve transparency, accountability, and efficacy in policymaking, Nigeria's foreign policy under the Fourth Republic (1999–2023) highlights a complex interplay of successes, shortcomings, and persistent challenges. These challenges not only impede Nigeria's ability to achieve its foreign policy objectives but also undermine its potential to serve as a model of democratic governance and development in Africa. This study seeks to critically analyze these problems, providing a comprehensive understanding of the factors that have shaped Nigeria's foreign policy trajectory from 1999 to 2023. The study adopted a descriptive research design, with a population study of mainly political officeholders using a purposive sampling technique and data was collected using a structured and semi-structured interviews with key informants, including diplomats, foreign affairs analysts, policy-makers, and scholars specializing in international relations. The findings of the study reveals that that Nigeria’s foreign policy during the Fourth Republic has undergone significant transformations driven by democratic consolidation, presidential leadership, strategic interests, and regional obligations. While democracy has offered a stable platform for diplomatic engagement, effectiveness remains contingent on institutional reforms, leadership coherence, and global responsiveness. The study concluded that Nigeria’s foreign policy in this period reflected a complex interplay between internal dynamics and external pressuress, without strong institutions, strategic vision, and consistent leadership, Nigeria risks a continued gap between its foreign policy aspirations and tangible global influence. Therefore, it recommends that the Nigerian government should embed economic diplomacy at the heart of its foreign policy by creating structured platforms for promoting trade, technology transfer, and investment. Keywords: Economic diplomacy, Foreign policy, Fourth Republic, Peacekeeping, Regional Integration Wordcount: 300