NATIONAL GROWTH THROUGH STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS: EVALUATING NIGERIA’S FOREIGN POLICY DIRECTIONS.

This study examines the role of strategic partnerships in advancing Nigeria’s national growth and evaluates the effectiveness of the country’s foreign policy directions in leveraging these alliances. In an increasingly interconnected global environment, nations—especially developing countries—depend on bilateral, multilateral, regional, and global collaborations to enhance economic development, strengthen security, and boost diplomatic influence. Using empirical data and scholarly insights, the study finds that Nigeria’s strategic alliances have contributed significantly to improvements in diplomacy, political stability, and national security, particularly through engagements with organizations such as ECOWAS, the African Union, and the United Nations. However, the findings also reveal substantial gaps in translating these partnerships into meaningful economic growth. Challenges such as policy inconsistency, weak implementation, corruption, inadequate infrastructure, and over dependence on foreign aid continue to limit the economic benefits of Nigeria’s foreign engagements. The study concludes that while Nigeria’s foreign policy has been effective in promoting security and enhancing global visibility, its capacity to drive sustainable national development remains constrained. Strengthening policy coherence, improving implementation frameworks, and enhancing domestic institutional capacity are essential for maximizing the developmental value of Nigeria’s strategic partnerships.