Public Participation in the Making of Nigeria’s Foreign Economic Policy: A Study of the IMF Debate

Abstract

The structure of political opportunities available in democratically oriented sovereign entities must include, amongst others, a system of public participation In Nigeria, making the public participate in the foreign policy-making process is a weapon which the Nigerian Government has adopted to strengthen the domestic base of its external commitments, promote the democratic process, and enhance domestic socio-political stability. Anyone who wants to influence public policy locally or internationally knows that participation is the way to do it. Using a historical analytical perspective, this article examines the central paradox in Nigeria's participation behaviour. It employs the 1983-1986 national debate on the International Monetary Fund Loans and Lending Policies as a case study. (Principally, this debate on the International Monetary Fund Loans and Lending Policies as a case study). Principally, this debate sought to establish whether Nigeria should obtain the IMF Loans and implement the Fund's Lending conditions. The results show that Nigerians have become interested in politics and the decision-making process of their country. Unfortunately, some of the policy prescriptions, as recommended by some of the debate contributors are rather unrealistic and unworkable, giving rise to concern that inadequate knowledge about the origin, purpose, function, indeed, the general operation of the IMF exists in Nigeria. Thus, effective participation in foreign policy making process calls for sound knowledge, experience and seasoned judgement on both domestic and external relations matters.