The Politics of Soft Power, Public Diplomacy and Poverty Alleviation in Nigeria

Abstract

This paper examines the nexus between foreign aid as an instrument of soft power and diplomatic relations, focusing on their implications for poverty alleviation in Nigeria. Drawing on Joseph Nye’s theory of soft power and supported by secondary data, the study argues that foreign aid serves a dual purpose: as a mechanism for economic development and as a strategic tool for influence through which donor nations pursue diplomatic and geopolitical objectives. The analysis highlights how countries such as the United States, China, and members of the European Union employ aid to shape Nigeria’s policy orientation, governance practices, and global alignments. Findings reveal that although foreign aid has contributed to key sectors such as health, education, and infrastructure, its effectiveness in reducing poverty remains constrained by weak institutional frameworks, policy misalignment, and donor-driven conditionalities. The paper concludes that integrating soft power diplomacy with Nigeria’s national development priorities and enhancing transparency, ownership, and accountability in aid management are essential for achieving sustainable poverty alleviation.