National Interest and Foreign Policy: Nigeria's Recognition of Libya's National Ruling Council

Abstract

This paper considers Nigeria's recognition of Libya's National Transitional Council (NTC) through the perspective of the realist paradigm. Realism makes a broad assumption that nation-states are motivated by national interests sometimes camouflaged as moral concerns. Several factors act together to influence Nigeria's foreign policy positions. Nigeria's energy-producing role in the global economy influences her foreign policy position. The country's membership and commitment to several international organizations and its role at the regional level influence her foreign policy positions. With a population of about 150 million, it is regarded as a strategic nation of interest at the global level. Our guide is that although what informed Nigeria's response may not likely be exactly what it said informed the action, it would be fatally wrong to ignore its claims and self-projections. Using the methodological tool of content analysis, this paper identifies the basis of' Nigeria's backing of the NTC. Our purpose is two-fold. Firstly, the paper provides a theoretically-grounded overview of national interest and explores some of the main challenges that make it an unsettled concept. Secondly, moving from theory to practice, the paper argues that pressure from the "international community" surely significantly slanted Nigeria's action. It tries to add a historical-realist perspective to serve as contextual analysis to justify its action. It concludes by drawing some key lessons from the dynamics which characterise diplomatic relationships: in international relations; a country's internal factors play major roles in shaping its foreign policy.