Soft Power Strategies and Reshaping of Global Affairs: A Comparative Analysis of China and Nigeria in the 21st Century

Abstract

This study does a comparative analysis of the soft power strategies of China and Nigeria, highlighting their unique resources, approaches, and challenges in the 21^st century. It explores how China leverages initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative, media influence, and cultural diplomacy to assert global influence, while Nigeria struggles to capitalize on its rich cultural heritage. Drawing on reports, literature, and 12 qualitative interviews as primary data, the paper analyses how economic, social, and political factors shape each country’s soft power. A key finding reveals that China’s centralized coordination enhances its soft power impact, whereas Nigeria’s fragmented institutions hinder its effectiveness